Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2023 i The Gardener Magazine

Can you believe it! It’s December already, and that means it’s summer, and beautiful weather along with rain and heat – everything our gardens need to grow with a vengeance. But most of all – holidays! Folks, I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to the holidays this year. I’m going to be spending loads of quiet time in my succulent house, as well as pottering around the garden, just enjoying time at a slower pace. I hope every one of you also finds time to enjoy the gardens we love and work so hard for. December also means an incredible, action-packed festive issue of The Gardener that will keep you busy for ages. We’ve got summer beauties for quickly filling gaps in your garden beds so…

What you need Large pot • Plastic bottles with lids to use as filler • Potting soil • Bonemeal • Organic 3:1:5 slow-release fertiliser • A selection of tropical plants Mix together 1 bag potting soil, 4 handfuls bonemeal and 2 handfuls organic fertiliser. Add drainage materials in the bottom of the pot to stop the holes from clogging up and preventing drainage. Add plastic bottles to halfway to take up some space. Fill in with the potting soil mix leaving a quarter of the space for the plants. Plant the large ‘thriller’ first in the middle; fill in with the ‘fillers’, and lastly add the ‘spillers’. Fill in with soil mix and water in well. TIP Don’t be afraid to angle the plants so that they look their best.…

This shimmering range of hybrids have all the glamour of good old-fashioned impatiens with none of the old downy mildew problems of old. They are beautiful double impatiens in the brightest of colours for shade and semi-shade. They have a mounding habit and flower from spring right through summer. Plant in garden beds, but they are also very good in pots or hanging baskets for shady patios. The plants are covered in blooms and there is no need to deadhead, just enjoy the blaze of colour. They prefer warmer regions and will grow about 30cm wide x 40cm in height. Care • Plant in rich, moist, well-draining soil.• They need plenty of water and will not do well if not watered enough. If you see them droop, they need a…

You will need PAR Timber (102 x 21mm) cut to • 11 x 400mm• 4 x 358mm• 2 x 800mm• 4 x 895mm Give the cut timber a light sanding to remove and splinters and rough edges. 40mm tek screws 3.5mm screws Sandpaper 1L white acrylic paint Paintbrush Tools Blow torch, tape measure, pencil, square, clamps, jig saw, drill driver with a screw pilot, Philips bit and a nut setter. Steps Using 2 of the 358mm pieces and 2 of the 400mm pieces, form a rectangle with the shorter 385mm being on the inner side of the mating surfaces. Clamp it into place and drill 2 pilot holes. Fasten using the Philips screws on all 4 joints. Place 3 of the 400mm pieces on top of the square, lining up…

Give the gift of effervescent joy; give a Sodastream Celebrate with a chic new Sodastream to transform ordinary water into sparkling creations! Research reveals that Sodastream owners drink 83% more water which is good to keep hydrated. You can also entertain your guests with sparkling mocktails, while the nostalgic Sodastream psshhhhh, sets the stage for memorable moments. It’s more than a kitchen appliance; it’s a sustainability statement! Last year, their bubbles saved 5-billion single-use plastic bottles from becoming waste. This gift embodies eco-consciousness, wellness and culinary creativity; ideal for loved ones who care about the planet, their health and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Look out for the Sodastream at retailers and online. Retractable hose reel Keep your hosepipe as neat as can be with this Garden Master 20m Retractable Hose…

Imagine white flowers trailing from hanging baskets or gently twirling through an obelisk, or over a simple trellis on your patio or balcony. With judicious pruning you can guide their natural growth habits into other forms rather than just leaving them to climb skywards. All of our three favourites require a well-draining potting medium, moderate watering when established, and a regular dose of soluble fertiliser during summer. None are plagued by pests and disease. Mandevilla ‘Sundaville Cosmos White’ This tropical climber with its huge trumpet-shaped flowers, each with a prominent yellow throat, flowers non-stop and basically all year long. It is semi-evergreen in cool climates and should be protected in winter from frost, is evergreen in subtropical regions, and fast-growing. This robust plant naturally produces many stems with dainty tendrils…

Ellen Willmott 1858 – 1934 GARDEN OWNER, BOTANIST, AUTHOR, MUSICIAN AND ROSE EXPERT A fascinating woman, full of self-belief and determination, she is one of the most celebrated gardeners in Britain. Gertrude Jekyll described her as ‘the greatest of all living women gardeners’ when they both won the Victoria Medal of Honour in 1897. Although she received an abundance of awards and medals, she was often overlooked. Growing up in a privileged home, with access to an ongoing trust payment, she established her 30-acre garden, Warley Place, in Essex. The garden was an impressive wonder where she grew over 100,000 species and varieties of trees, shrubs and plants. She funded plant hunting expeditions and many of the plants discovered were named after her. Still sold today are Willmott’s willmottiae and…

1 Physostegia virginiana The old-fashioned species is a clumping perennial with tall spikes of light purple tubular flowers – and has always been a popular garden cut flower. But, it has a tendency to flop over and stay ‘obediently’ down, and maturing flowers tend to fade to brown too soon. Good breeding has resulted in modern hybrids which are compact and well-branched, producing many non-fading flower spikes. Common name: Obedience plant. Plant type: Perennial. Recommended hybrid: ‘Crystal Peak White’ brings a fresh look with sturdy stems and upright terminal flower spikes of snow-white blooms. Size: 40cm x 40cm. Exposure: Full sun to light shade in the afternoon. Soil type: Slightly acidic, lean soil, enriched with compost. Use pine needles as a mulch. Aftercare: Regular, but not too much water. Pick the…

Potted Lisianthus The soft and elegant flowers of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) make for a beautiful potted plant. These are the dwarf varieties with long-lasting flowers from early spring all the way into late summer. They may look like a delicate form of rose, but have great staying power potted up for the home. Look out for varieties called ‘Julietta’ and ‘Carmen’ and swop them for a bunch of cut flowers in double soft pink, bright white and bright blue. They make an excellent gift. They need light watering, plenty of bright light and a liquid plant food every 2 weeks to keep them looking good and flowering more. These varieties will grow to 36 x 25cm. NOTE: The taller varieties of lisianthus will grow up to 45cm in the garden,…

Euphorbia pulcherrima, also known as Mexican flame leaf, and in the northern hemisphere as Christmas star flower, show off their bright red bracts in winter, which is why they are grown in South Africa in greenhouses at cooler temperatures until they are ready for the shops. For the festive season, red is the most popular colour, but there are other colours to look out for including cream, yellow, pink and orange. 4 Golden rules To keep potted poinsettias at their peak, these are some of the golden rules: 1. When buying a poinsettia look for a plant with little yellow buds between the leaves (these are the actual flowers) and fresh-looking foliage. Protect your plant from extreme weather and draughts when transporting home. 2. Find a position well out of…

Subscribe to The Gardener for 1 year, pay R49 monthly and SAVE 30% Subscribe for an entire year, but enjoy the convenience of monthly payments. This deal only applies when purchasing subscriptions online. www.thegardener.co.za How do we deliver your subscription? Delivery is done by a hand delivery service provider in the urban areas. Rural area subscriptions are sent via the South African Postal Service, or ask us for a quote to get your magazine delivered by courier every month. Subscribe NOW! SCAN ME Subscribe and win! Win a WORX Hydroshot Cordless Power Washer for all your serious home and garden cleaning jobs. Subscribe or renew your annual subscription from 20 November – 18 December 2023 and you will be entered into the competition to win this prize. The winner will…

✓Can live outdoors 24/7 ✓Waterproof acrylic fabric ✓Aluminium frame ✓UV stable ✓1-year warranty 1 Made for comfort and true relaxation, the luxurious Dune Swing Chair is the perfect spot for chilling while you watch the sun go down. Features • Oxford back and cushions • Polyester roof • Steel powder coated frame • 320kg weight limit • 1-year warranty 2 The Orchid Set is stylish, elegant, and 100% all-weather proof, so is ideal to live outside 24/7 – perfect for the South African lifestyle. This set includes a 2-seater sofa, 2 single-seater sofas, a small coffee table, and a big coffee table. Features • Waterproof acrylic fabric on seats, back and cushion covers • Quick-dry foam • An aluminium frame • UV stable • 1-year warranty 3 Relax in comfort…

1 Money plant Pilea peperomioides is a quirky houseplant with slender stems bearing round, glossy leaves that resemble coins – and is commonly called the Chinese money plant, or more mundanely the pancake plant. It is endangered in its native habitat (China) and has had quite a checkered past, being spread around by fleeing missionaries and plant hunters and later passed along via offshoots and cuttings by amateur gardeners. The Western world only met this plant in the late 20th century, when in 2019 it became popular through social media trends which raised the price of a small, barely rooted plant sky high. The RHS crowned it with an Award of Garden Merit. Fortunately, today the plant is readily available at a realistic price. 2 Medusa’s Head Some of Jan…

Your garden may be pretty, but it shouldn’t only be appreciated for its ornamental value. When you mix in a few edible plants, it can also inspire culinary experimentation. Something as simple as a few rose petals or a sprig of rosemary can turn regular kitchen ingredients into an exciting and unique infusion, ready to use in your summer cocktails or holiday bakes. Herb Syrups Herb leaves are packed with oils that can impart deep flavours to syrups. The earthy tastes provide balance to sugary syrups compared to ingredients like berries, making the syrup useful for both savoury and sweet dishes or your favourite botanical cocktails. Try pairing a herbal syrup with your G&T and you’ll never want to go back. For herbal syrups you can always opt for a…

Looking for something different for a Christmas tree this year? Something that’s a little creative, a little quirky, but also easy on the purse? Our succulent Christmas tree is just the answer. You will need: Sphagnum moss, oasis blocks (enough to build a pyramid of your size), chicken mesh, cable ties, bread knife, U-shaped hair pins, pot or tray filled with sand or pebbles and succulents. To make: Cut the roots off the succulents leaving most of the stem. They will root later after the festive season, so this is not a problem. Soak enough oasis blocks and stack on top of each other, placing them horizontally to form an upright rectangle. Using a bread knife, cut away corners to shape into a tall pyramid. For extra support, wrap the…

With so much choice available to grow in summer, rather grow what you like to eat. This month you can choose from sowing or planting basil, beans, celery, chillies, chives, corn, cucumber, dill, eggplant, melons, mint, okra, oregano, peppers, pumpkins, squashes, strawberries, sunflowers, tomatoes, watermelons, and zucchini. Water veggies and herbs at their roots in the early morning to help prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Water established plants twice a week, and seedlings daily if it’s not raining. Plant seed potatoes this month to harvest in April. With all the growth going on in the garden, the soil will have been depleted of nutrients. Add a layer of compost as a mulch and give all your plants a good dousing with a liquid plant food, worm tea or seaweed…

Catnip is aptly named as it is widely known as the cat herb, and any household with a cat or more should do their moggies a favour and grow it. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) plants grow easily from seed and can grow up to 60cm, provided there are no cats nearby who may roll in it and flatten it. The serrated dark grey-green leaves have a strong antiseptic mint-like odour, similar to pennyroyal. It is the odour that is irresistible to cats, apparently similar to the pheromones that excite a sexual happy response in cats. For a regular supply try growing it in a hanging basket, or pot and cover the pot with an old birdcage or other covering that the cats can’t get into. Ration it out as a treat.…

Even though koi keeping will bring interest into your life, it is worthwhile mentioning that koi will require some love and attention, and to be cared for in a safe, happy environment. Koi are social creatures and like to be kept with other koi, and not left alone, otherwise they will hide and sulk. They require good water quality and nutritious food every day to stay healthy. Here’s a guide to keeping your koi in a healthy environment, and to being a successful koi pond keeper. How to care for your koi fish Daily needs: Feed your koi in the morning, and make sure you watch them eating the food. This is how you can tell if their appetite is healthy. If it’s not, then you know you have a…

On hot summer days, gardeners ideally enjoy their garden, but maintenance and watering are vital for beautiful blooms and delicious edibles. Minimize effort by using the days marked "irrigate" to reduce frequent watering, and more so by adding liquid fertilizer to watering cans for patio plants. Mulch beds and pots generously on days marked. Dead head in the last quarter phase on "harvest" days for seed, then after New before Full to encourage new blooms. The festive weekend is ideal for picking herbs and salads. BEST DAYS FOR DECEMBER…

Many of the things on my mind are probably beyond your control and should rather be addressed by saying daily prayers. But, I guess there’s no harm in asking, especially as you were no slouch in making dreams come true when I was a little girl. I am still a believer… Firstly, are you still that portly old man with the wild, white beard in control of your productive elves and super-fit reindeer? Or, have you been ‘cancelled’ too, and replaced by a robot with artificial intelligence that swiftly reads the request letters and dispatches the gifts via a local courier? If the latter is true, I see problems as I understood that the AI only responds to facts and maybe some logic, but not to the raw emotions portrayed…