The Gardener Magazine

The Gardener is a monthly, national magazine dedicated to inspiring gardeners, providing practical advice and showing step-by-step garden projects. Our monthly features include garden design, in-depth plant features, growing vegetables and herbs, water gardening, garden wildlife and pets, specialist plant articles and much more. We have an extensive database on our website that is growing daily.

WELCOME

yellow cheer! • We wanted to shout out that colour is possible in the colder months and that it is not always ‘doom and gloom’ as winter is so often described. The best colour to prove this, is bright and cheerful yellow and believe us, there is no shortage of yellow-flowering plants at this time of year. We consulted some growers, and they concurred that the following three will instantly put any gardener into a positive and happy mood and will uplift any garden on a cold day…

Dirt DIARIES

Garden GALLERIA

Perfectly imperfect PERFECTION • Tucked away in the breathtaking Southern Drakensberg lies a sparkling gem of a garden on a thriving dairy farm.

UN-SCAPE your garden • With one small change, we gardeners can make a difference.

Setting up a WORM FARM • Earthworms are living waste disposal units and are efficient at processing organic waste and producing a ‘black gold’ – vermicompost. In the process, worms increase crop yields and enhance soil health and fertility.

Unlocking the secrets of Dendrobiums • Dendrobiums, with their vibrant blooms and captivating forms, are among the most beloved orchids in the world.

Small GRASSES with BIG IMPACT

5 versatile sedums • Why we call these sedums ‘versatile’ is not about the various uses for them, but because they differ so dramatically from each other.

ON THE GARDEN MENU

IN THE GARDEN WITH TANYA

In the flower garden

Bulb care

Pest Watch

Lawn care • Minding a lawn is like caring for thousands of needy little plants. Although actively growing in the warmer months and taking a rest in winter, (depending on the grass type), it cannot be neglected until spring arrives again…

Do some last sowing

FROST WARNING • Save the vulnerable

Mediterranean spurge

Maintain your H2 0 system • As with all things mechanical, a neglected irrigation system will go haywire and waste a lot of water, which is contrary to the reason why it was installed.

How to understand how to water • Understanding the terms used to describe plants’ water requirements can go a long way toward helping you keep them alive and flourishing.

Do some PATIO POTTING NOW! • Rejuvenate your patio, balcony and garden pots with a choice of the best plants on offer in May and June!

PREHISTORIC without a permit! • Cycads are living fossils with remarkable features occurring in subtropical parts of the world. As with many other things, South Africa is a ‘hotspot’ with 38 species that have become so sought-after worldwide that the plants in nature are highly endangered, with more than 70% facing extinction.

GREG’S TOP TIPS

Planting perennials in autumn and winter • Except in the extreme and coldest of climates, gardening is as usual for everybody else. Evergreen perennials either flower in winter or sport colourful foliage while other plants start fading.

Gain a season

For thrifty and patient gardeners

Tree care

ELEGANT Elegia • Plant them now and water them regularly for two years to establish well, and their reedlike growth forms will constantly please you.

A winter wonderland in annuals

Grow Wayne’s favourite plants

Rose of the month

Subscribe and win! • Stand a chance of winning this wonderful hamper from Biogrow when you...