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Tips and advice
Let us help you solve your indigenous gardening problems, please email drboom@iafrica.com.
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| Subject : |
Planting fynbos |
| Question : |
I would like to plant some fynbos in my garden. What do you recommend? |
| Answer : |
There are a lot of fynbos species which are garden friendly. Stick to these species and you will get good results. Remember most mountain fynbos species like acidic well drained soil. You can improve your drainage and acidity my adding a fine pine mulch or chopped pine needles to your soil when planting. Remember to mix them into the soil well. Stick to speices like Leucadendron Safari Sunset, Leucospermum cordifolium, Erica baccans, Watsonia bulbifera or any of the restio family (grasses). These are the basic elements of Cape Fynbos. |
| Subject : |
Poor soil |
| Question : |
I have poor sandy soil. What can I do to improve the soil? |
| Answer : |
Poor soil in the Western Cape is not a problem, it is more of a blessing. There is a massive variety of species to plant, as most of the Peninsula is made up pf the Cape Flats which is all sand! The Flats support a huge variety of fynbos and coastal fynbos giving the Cape Town gardener a fantastic selection. The simple answer is - obey you soil. Dont try and plant things that want rich composted soils. Stick to the species that enjoy the well drained sandy soils. Contact the nursery for a comprehensive list. |
| Subject : |
Earthworms |
| Question : |
I have no earthworms in my soil. What can I do? |
| Answer : |
Earthworms are great for your soil. They improve the airation and help break down organic material which feed your plants. The key to improving your earthworm count is improving your soil through mulching. Add a thick cap of mulch to your garden, either as a rough compost or simple pine mulch (really good if you have alkaline sandy soil). Within a couple of months you will have tons of earthworms. |
| Subject : |
Planting season? |
| Question : |
When is the best time to plant? |
| Answer : |
In the Western Cape the best time to plant is WINTER!!!! You must follow your natural rainfall pattern, as planting with it allows you plants to adust to the seasons and develop in the cooler conditions, so that they are established with their roots deep in the ground by the time the heat and wind of summer arrives. This will vastly improve you success rate especially with protea and other fynbos species. Stick to the cooler months when planning your gardening. It also means you dont have to worry about watering. |
| Subject : |
Got a question? |
| Question : |
Got a question about indigenous plants? Not sure what to plant for coastal areas? Got a tough spot where nothing will grow? Ask Dr Boomslang - email on drboom@iafrica.com |
| Answer : |
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| Subject : |
NOTHING GROWS UNDER MY TREES!!!! |
| Question : |
I have a barren spot under the trees along my vibracrete. Nothing will grow there. Is there anything you can recommend? |
| Answer : |
Some trees have surfacing root systems. The most common in the greater Cape Town area are the following.
Eugenias (Australian Cherry)
Comprosma (Mirror Bush)
Monotokas
Ficus species
Brazilian Peppers
These are all fast growing trees that were often planted for screening purposes. The reality is they are very destrucutive. If you have any of these species in your garden you should remove them and replant as there is very little that will be able to compete with their root systems. If you cannot bear to remove the tree, your best bet is to plant Clivias or Asparagus Foxtail ferns. These will manage for a while, but ultimately....the tree shoud go! |
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