KNYSNA NEWS - After the terrible fires that burned in Knysna and the drought that has gripped the Western Cape, gardens in Knysna have taken their toll. With the arrival of spring and the air warming up, what better way to spend a public holiday than to work in the garden?
“Planting organic vegetables is becoming more and more popular,” says Tihara Baker, Relationship Manager of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa.
She says that it is always a good idea to plan according to season changes and adapt to your local climate.
“Ideal conditions result in healthier plants, fewer pest and disease problems.”
What to plant?
It is lovely to have an array of pretty flowers covering your landscape, however some people say a plant has to earn its place in the garden and be productive in some way.
This doesn’t mean that your vegetable patch must be devoid of any flowers. Certain flowering plants can help protect your vegetables from insects, and many flowers can be added to salads or used as decoration on your plate.
On the other hand, many vegetables are beautiful in their own right and can be added to an established flower bed.
For example, peas and beans can easily scramble up a fence or wall and herbs can grow among the flowers.
For the love of flowers
The best flowers to plant amongst your vegetables are those rich in high-protein pollen that provide a source of nectar throughout the year, like marigolds, daisies and nasturtiums.
When to plant what
Timing is everything. Knowing when to plant vegetables and what to plant with what, is essential if for thriving garden.
