Nestled in the heart of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands is the
award-winning Granny Mouse Country House & Spa. It is the perfect
combination of relaxation and luxury, with hospitality prowess
spanning more than 30 years. On their return home, a stay at Granny
Mouse leaves many guests feeling inspired to create culinary delights
and transform their gardens into beautiful works of art.
Despite the cold, there is so much to do in the garden and so many
vibrant and exciting plants to dig in. “We have some tips and some
tasks to set yourself”, says Sean Granger, GM of Granny Mouse.
As in summer, winter gardens need three basic things to survive and
thrive – plenty sun, good soil and water as needed. Ideally, plants
should receive six hours of sun per day, so be sure to place your
plants in a suitable spot where they can get as much sun as possible
during the day.
Winter is the time to ensure that all tender plants are covered
against the frost, either with sheets of frost cover or frost bags,
available per meter or in pre-packed sizes. This will protect plants
to a temperature of -3°C, while still letting in light, air and water,
so it can be left on the plants during the daytime. Remember to also
cover tender climbers and your bonsai – we tend to forget those.
Cut down on watering and if you have an irrigation system, ensure that
it is programmed for reduced watering now. Most larger shrubs, trees,
perennials, climbers and the lawn will only need a good watering every
2 to 3 weeks. However, rose bushes as well as spring flowering
Camellias, Azaleas and Magnolias need to be watered weekly to prevent
bud-drop.
Water the garden early in the day to allow leaves to dry and for the
soil to dry out a bit before nightfall. Spread a thick layer of mulch
in all beds or top up the existing layer to protect roots against the
cold. Harsh winter conditions can take their toll on their soil.
Spreading mulch in your garden will help protect the soil from damage
caused by wind, cold or frost. Mulches also protect the ground from
soil erosion and compaction from heavy rains.
Winter annuals will be in full bloom. Feed with a fertiliser of your
choice and pick out all dead flower heads to ensure that their colour
brightens up the garden for as long as possible. Into winter, continue
planting more colourful winter flowering annuals to fill gaps and
liven up the garden, applying a foliar feed fortnightly. Brighten up
your winter garden with these winter flowering plants: Azaleas, Phlox,
Camellias, Proteas, Daisies, Roses, Gladiolus, Snapdragons, Pansies,
Strelitzias, Primulas, Tulips.
Plant new rose bushes or transplant existing roses now if necessary.
Deadhead now, and water once a week. July is the best time for
planting and transplanting rose bushes and deciduous trees, like
maples and birches, while they are dormant. This will give them enough
time to settle and reward you with their beautiful bright foliage next
autumn.
Winter flowering Aloes will add instant colour and attract nectar
feeding birds to the garden. Treat aloes for white scale.
Divide perennials, cut back dried leaves and replant in freshly composted soil.
Tie sweet peas to trellises or obelisks at regular intervals. Nip side
shoots and pick blooms when they appear as frequently as you can in
order to encourage more flowers. Water copiously.
Weeds will show off clearly now against the dormant deciduous lawn.
Use the opportunity to manually remove as much as possible. While it
may be tempting to reach for a chemical solution, we recommend using
eco-friendlier remedies. Simply mix four cups of white vinegar with
one cup of salt and ½ teaspoon of liquid soap. Then spray this
solution over the weeds, preferably on a sunny day, taking care to
protect any nearby desirable plants.
Using garden shears or a clean pair of scissors, remove any withered
or dead foliage from plants and flowers. Similarly, prune overgrowing
branches or stems from trees and shrubs. Besides improving the overall
appearance of your garden, pruning will improve the plant’s health and
yield by allowing for the even distribution of nutrients.
Continue feeding and providing water for our feathered friends as food
is in short supply during the winter months.
The quieter winter months are also an opportune time to do some
general maintenance work around the garden. Rake up any remaining
autumn leaves, spring clean your garden shed or greenhouse, give the
outdoor garden furniture a good wipe down and clean all your gardening
tools and equipment. Repair and sharpen tools, install or fix water
features, paving and retaining walls or create that special corner in
the garden that’s been on your to-do list.
To experience Granny Mouse’s gardens and award-winning excellence,
email [email protected]
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