Gardening in Africa: Summer is back!

Sunday, 15 September 2013

Summer is back!

Summer is back! and even though winter was extremely mild, and spring seemed to last only two weeks, it’s something to really be grateful for. I’ve missed my usual garden chores, although it didn’t stop completely during winter – just slowed down to the minimum. Now it’s time for watering cans, gloves and hats once more and trying to make sense of what has survived and what didn’t make it.

It’s also time for relaxing on the patio, sipping a glass of cold water, camera or sketch-book in hand to record the goings-on of all the garden birds.

The Black-headed Oriole, who was a constant visitor during the winter, has now brought his wife along and I’m hoping they’ll find a nesting spot here instead of across the road in the blue gum bush where I see them heading off to after they’ve had their fill of fruit at the feed table.

We’ve had our first rains yesterday (14th Sept 2013) and finally the dust has settled and everything is sparkling and fresh. No matter how much you irrigate or stand with the hosepipe watering the garden, after just 2mm of rain everything seems to blossom and smile.

As I live in a summer rainfall area, dust is a major problem during winter.

I’m a great admirer of minimalistic décor but I also have this problem – I’m a hoarder of note and have collections of “stuff” everywhere, so dusting really does turn into a major job! Every winter I promise myself I’m going to scale down and every summer I find more wonderful things to collect and display!

A plate filled with a collection of seed pods, wasps' nests, dried oak leaves, antelope dung and a large piece of Rhino dung found on a friend’s farm.

Summer Light - Thru the Trees

Summer Light - Spotted Me

Summer Light - Palest Gold

Summer Light - Bright and Bold

I Saw Summer Light Descend

Summer Light, Made Shadows Bend

Summer Light, On An Emerald Pond

I Reached Out… It Touched My Palm

I Love Summer Light

- MoonBee Canady

Tool tip

Properly maintained quality garden tools are a joy to use and can last for generations. And, like most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regularly cleaning and oiling your garden tools will prevent rust, keep them sharper, and allow the handles to stay strong. Start by giving your tools a good scrubbing to remove any mud and grit from the blades and handles. Dry with old towels, then set them aside overnight so they dry completely to avoid trapping moisture. Using a clean rag, apply lubricating oil to both the wooden handle and the metal blade. Rub the oil into the surface then wipe off any excess. The oil will help prevent rust and condition the wood to keep it from absorbing water and prevent cracking. After the handle has dried, apply a second coat of oil to the wood if needed. Tools with fiberglass or composite handles will only need a good cleaning.

Wildlife Tips

PUT UP AN OWL BOX : Owls aren't common garden visitors for most, but if you know they are around, it's worth providing extra nesting sites. General Owl boxes are bigger than ordinary bird boxes. They're shaped according to the needs of the species. Barn owl boxes are large and square, or sometimes triangular, with a ledge outside the entrance for young owls to stand on. Barn owls like to nest in a solitary tree on the edge of woodland, between 3 and 5m above the ground. Keep out cold drafts by facing all owl boxes away from prevailing winds. It also makes it easier for parents to fly to the entrance. If you fix the owl box to a tree, use a strap to keep it in place so you don’t damage the trunk. As with all nest boxes, do not disturb the box for cleaning until you are sure that the young have left. Tawny owls in particular can be aggressive when protecting their young. Don’t be disappointed if your box stays empty for the first year. Birds often choose a nesting site during the autumn, winter or early spring. Leave the box where it is for the winter and it could be a nice dry place for birds to roost when the weather’s bad. Please do not unnecessarily disturb the birds and never remove any eggs from the nest.

Leave those leaves! I know many gardeners don't like the 'messy' look of fallen leaves, but they have a lot of benefit to wildlife and your garden. Many wildlife species live in or rely on the leaf layer to find food and other habitat, including toads, shrews, earthworms and many insect species. From a gardening perspective, fallen leaves offer a double benefit. Leaves form a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and at the same time fertilize the soil as they break down. Why spend money on mulch and fertilizer when you can make your own?

More about me

I've been gardening ever since a child, when I spent time with my father in his vegetable garden. But my fascination with Echeverias started in the 1980's, when my father gave me a pot with five Echeverias, which turned out to be E. imbricata. At first I wasn't much interested in them and planted them in some obscure corner of the garden and completely forgot about them. How great was my surprise when, a couple of months later, I noticed that they had spread and made a beautiful display - I was hooked!

It is utterly forbidden to be half-hearted about gardening. You have got to love your garden whether you like it or not.

- W.C. Sellar

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Sunday, 15 September 2013

Summer is back!