Theses tips come from from Di-Di Hoffman, SA's Blogging Herb Man - they are equally vaklid for Zimbabwe gardens as well. I follow these guidelines and have done so for years - and they work. remember i only use organic products and NO Chemicals even for keeping insects at bay!
Planning and Recordkeeping
□ Now is the time to think about some colour in the winter garden. Consider winter flowering bulbs and Namaqualand daisies.
□ Consider
sowing Calendula officinalis for winter skin ointments.
□ Prepare strawberry beds now. They do better in a slightly acid soil. Dig in plenty of well-rotted manure and/or compost. Scatter a cupful of 3:1:5 per square meter.
□ Keep weekly gardening diary and records up to date.
□ Compare actual results and actions with plans and make notes for next year where necessary.
Herb Propagation
Maintain the succession of seed sowing of:
□ Nasturtiums
□ Flat-leaf
parsley
□ Chives
Start Sowing:
□ Coriander
□ Sage
Start taking
cuttings of:
□ Lavender
□
Lemon Balm
□ Mint
□ Oregano
□ Rosemary
□ Thyme
Tip: When taking cuttings select healthy growth and cut just below a node or leaf joint. Remove the lower leaves. Many cuttings root better if the ends are dipped into a root-forming hormone before inserting the cutting in a rooting medium. Your local nursery will be able to advise.
Tip: If you have perennials such as yarrow, bulbine, echinaceae and bergamot now is a good time to divide them.
Water the clumps the day before dividing. After lifting, do not let the roots dry out. For replanting choose healthy young growths from the outer edge of the clump.
Veggie Propagation
Maintain the succession of seed sowing of:
□ Cabbage - last month to sow cabbage
□ Spinach
□
Swiss chard
□ Lettuce
□ Rocket
□ Carrots
□ Beetroot
□ Radishes
□ Peas
Start sowing:
□ Green Beans
Planting and Thinning Out
Tip: If you don't like propagating your own herbs you can buy all herbs on our recommended varieties list and transplant into permanent beds or bigger containers. The same goes for veggies. Buy seedlings from your local nurseries.
□ Thin out beetroots, carrots, lettuces to the desired distances.
Watering
□ Check garden and containers daily during hot spells, especially salad crops and chili bushes.
□ Supplement rainfall (in summer rainfall areas) with thorough waterings.
Fertilizing
□ Fertilize once with a liquid
fertilizer like Groweasier (Available and made in Zimbabwe)
□ Containers need a diluted feeding once a week.
Pruning
□ Give hedges a final clipping.
□ Expose the fruit of tomatoes to the sun by removing the covering leaves.
□ Prune all herbs to keep them in shape.
Weeding
□ Remove weeds regularly as they appear. Don’t give them a chance to flower and seed.
Pests and Disease
□ Note the occurrence of pest and disease, measures taken (if any), and results.
□ Be on the lookout for aphids, caterpillars and
red spider mite.
Harvesting
□ It is a good month to start harvesting seed. Especially
coriander and dill. Cut ripe seed heads and place in brown paper bags to dry thoroughly.
□ Harvest perennials and start making oils and vinegars.
□ Harvest herbs and veggies as required for daily use.
□ Harvest annuals as soon as they come into full flower by cutting back by about two thirds. Dry, freeze or preserve in oil or vinegar for winter use.
Clean-up
□ Remove unused chili fruit and either process or discard.
□ Remove debris to the compost heap, or use as a mulch elsewhere in the garden.
□ Dispose of any insect or disease infested plant material.
