Hilton is a gorgeous haven where we are blessed with some of the most beautiful gardens in South Africa. With a fair number of the Open Gardens right on our doorsteps we hope you have all been out to support, enjoy and find inspiration.
This unusually dry October is a time to remove young weeds before they have time to flower and set seed, mulch around and in between shrubs wherever possible as this creates a cushion from hard rain and will keep moisture in if the expected rains do not arrive. Until the heavens bless us with more rain you may wish to water fuschias three times a week. Also keep soil around hydrangeas moist as they start to come into flower and perhaps mulch with pine needles. For beautiful lawns raise the height of the blades on your lawnmower to avoid exposing roots to hot sun. A periodic change the direction in which you mow the lawn prevents ridges and uneven growth.
Winters hectic pruning is over but the following may require thinning out after flowering, the Rosa 'Albertine' and 'Dorothy Perkins', Banksia roses, Viburnum (snowball bush), Ornamental fruit trees e.g. apples, cherries, peach and Spirea (Cape May).
With around 8 weeks till Christmas you may want to plant up some red flowering petunias, strawberries or even chillies. These add festive colour and can make super gifts for friends. A bunch of herbs for stuffing the festive bird are another grand idea for planting now to give away in December to your favourite cook.
With hot summer months to look forward to you may want to set up a pond or water feature now, these can be relaxing and give the illusion of cool even if temperatures soar. Water, even in a still pond will add a new dimension to your private sanctuary.
You're in time to sow ageratum, alyssum, aster, Canterbury bells, cleome, cornflower, cosmos, dahlia (bedding), dianthus, gypsophila, impatiens, lavatera, lobelia, marigold, nasturtium, nigella, petunia, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, verbena, and zinnia flower seeds. For a great veggie patch plant bean, beet, cabbage, carrot, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, leek, lettuce, onion, peppers, pumpkin, radish, spinach, squash, tomato and turnip seeds.