While planning new plantings, be aware of a hot dry summer just around the corner and place new plants with that in mind. Knowing the watering needs of the new shrubs and groundcovers and grouping them according to these water needs will avoid wasting water as well as ensuring each plant will thrive. Test and repair irrigation systems. This is a good time to add moisture retaining gels like Starke Ayres Hydrocache that will release water slowly. Prepare for spring growth with:
Fuchsias can be transplanted into the next size pot, and growing tips can be pinched to encourage bushing and later, more flowers. If roses haven’t been pruned yet, do not delay.
Prune Bougainvillea to encourage new growth. Flowers are borne on these fresh shoots. Be sure to trim old blooms throughout the season the encourage new growth.
Lots of fresh new shoots mean lots of snails and caterpillars. Apply Kirchhoffs Margaret Roberts Biological Caterpillar insecticide and Makhro Ecobait eco friendly snail and slug bait
Peach leaf curl is a fungus that causes fresh young shoots of Peaches, Nectarines and Almonds to become distorted and can be a problem in the moist spring weather. This common fungal infection can be controlled by spraying preventatively with a copper based fungicide like Efekto Virikop or Kirchhoffs Copper Count before the leaves emerge. Treating leaves already affected will be unsuccessful.
Acid loving plants like Gardenia, Camellias as well as Citrus trees can be displaying yellow leaves after a wet winter. Treating with Starke Ayres Iron Chelate will ensure the availability of iron during the growing season. Maintaining a low soil pH can be achieved by using Starke Ayres Acid Loving Plant Food monthly. Start using the same product from August to ensure blue Hydrangea blooms emerge blue.
Arum lilies, Zantedeschia aethiopica are springing up all over the Cape Flats. These perfectly elegant blooms show up in winter and bloom through until spring after which they die down and hibernate through our very hot summers to spring into life again next year. These are not to be confused with the more colourful Calla lilies that are found in indoor plant departments. These lovely red, pink or yellow hybrids are descended from plants indigenous to summer rainfall areas.
They require good, well drained soil in a pot so they can be kept slightly dry once the leaves have died off. Elegia tectorum. Cape Thatching reed is a tall elegant clumping plant, often found growing in similar areas as the white Arum lily. They will happily grow amongst other fynbos plants as well as in moist soil next to ponds.
AUGUST SPECIALS
PEA GREEN SOUP WITH ZESTY SALSA
Pea green soup with a zesty salsa of lemon and mint are the perfect late winter warmer with a hint of spring.
INGREDIENTS
- 30ml (2 tablespoons) olive oil
- 1 brown onion, finely diced
- 200g (3 medium) zucchini, diced
- 300g (2¼ cup) fresh shelled peas or frozen garden peas
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 20g (1 cup) fresh mint leaves
- a generous handful flat leaf parsley
- 15ml (1 tablespoon) lemon juice
- 125ml (1/2 cup) natural yoghurt, plus extra to serve
- sea salt flakes and freshly cracked black pepper
OPTIONAL TOPPING
- 100g almonds, roasted and roughly chopped
- a large bunch of mint, leaves picked and finely chopped
- several sprigs fresh dill, roughly chopped
- zest of 1 lemon
- 45ml (3 tablespoons) lemon juice
- 60ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt flakes and freshly cracked black pepper
METHOD
Heat the olive oil in the casserole. Add the onion and sauté over a medium heat until softened, about 12-15 minutes. Tumble in the zucchini, season lightly, then cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the peas and stock, cover partially with the lid and simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir through the mint, parsley and lemon juice. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Add the yoghurt and heat through gently.
Ladle into bowls and serve with extra yoghurt drizzled on top and a spoonful of minted almond salsa.
Credit for this recipe goes to https://www.bibbyskitchenat36.com/pea-and-zucchini-soup-with-minted-almond-salsa/
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