Gardening ... After care

After care is essential to keep your garden in tip top condition.

Your garden is a living paradise, and as with anything that is alive, it needs feeding and watering. Borders need weeding and pests need to be kept under control. Keep an eye on your foliage as diseases can often appear out of nowhere.

Watering is the number one priority to keep your garden alive, during the hot summer months especially.  It is better to give the ground a good flooding once a month than to tease it with a short sprinkle every other day.  When the ground is flooded, and by this we mean that a puddle of at least 3cm should stay on the topsoil, less water is lost by evaporation, and the water will soak slowly down to the roots of the plant.  When we sprinkle the garden, most of the water stays within the top 2cm of the soil, and the sun will evaporate this in the blink of an eye.

Feeding is essential as it replenishes lost nutrients that have been used by the plants, or washed away by heavy downpours.  Feeds come in many guises; they can be dried pellets, fresh manure or liquid feeds.  Follow the manufacturers instructions carefully, as over feeding can cause considerable problems.

Borders and vegetable plots need weeding.  If left unattended the weeds will take over.  They can strangle plants and deprive them of the vital nutrients found in the soil.  Their roots will fight for space, and more times than not, weeds will win the fight.  Most weeds are easy to pull up, just a slight tug and the roots come out of the soil, but be warned, other weeds are a little bit tougher.  Dandelions and dock leaves, for example, need to be dug out if they have been left to establish themselves.  Their roots are big and tough, and every bit of root has to come out, or else they will just grow again.  Propriety weed killers can  be bought, but use with caution.

Pests need to be kept under control, or you may find that these hungry little critters eat half of your garden. Caterpillars should be picked off and placed in a designated area. We planted extra cauliflowers and dedicated these to the caterpillars. Moles are annoying; even the best gardens become host to these little creatures.  The best way to get rid of moles is by using a sonar device, which creates underground sounds.  These devices emit sonic pulses into the ground, which drives moles mad.  noise and upon hearing the racket, they simply pack their bags and move on.  These devices need to be moved around the garden though. Ants, slugs and millipedes are also classed as pests, even though they all have a vital job to do in their own right. These are natures scavengers, but when we get too many of them, they become a gardeners nightmare.

Plants are prone to diseases, some more than others.  Microscopic bacteria, viruses and fungi, which float in the air, cause diseases.  Diseases must be treated as soon as they are spotted to prevent them from spreading. Common diseases such as grey mould, powdery mildew and rust, all cause problems.  Caring for your plants as they grow, and keeping them in healthy conditions can eradicate diseases.