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Winter Preparations: To Mulch or Not to Mulch Winter sneaks up on you fast. One day, you’re soaking in the last bit of warmth, admiring your thriving garden, and the next—bam! Frost warnings have you scrambling to protect your precious plants. I know the feeling all too well. Picture me standing outside, arms crossed, staring at my garden like a concerned parent wondering if my plants need tiny sweaters. Spoiler alert: they don’t. But they do need protection! Mulch: The Unsung Hero of Garden Care Let’s talk about mulch—your garden’s equivalent of a cosy blanket. When temperatures drop, so does soil warmth, which can spell trouble for your plants’ roots. This is where mulch (or bark chips) steps in, acting as insulation that locks in soil heat and keeps frost damage at bay. But here’s the kicker—mulch isn’t just a winter MVP; it’s got some serious summer skills too. Ever notice how the soil dries up like a raisin under the scorching sun? Mulch slows down evaporation, helping your plants stay hydrated and cutting down how often you need to water. This means less stress for you and happier plants all year round. And weeds? Mulch has no patience for them! By blocking sunlight, it discourages weeds from sprouting while letting your plants thrive. It’s like giving your garden an extra layer of defence against those pesky invaders. Choosing the Right Mulch Now, not all mulch is created equal. There are different types, like wood chips or straw, and each comes with its own perks. Wood chips break down slowly; offering long-term soil enrichment, while straw decomposes faster but is excellent for insulating roots and regulating moisture. Aside from its practical benefits, mulch also has aesthetic appeal. Have you ever noticed how neatly mulched garden beds instantly make a space look more polished and put together? It’s like an instant landscaping glow-up! And the best part? As mulch naturally breaks down, it feeds nutrients into the soil, making your plants even healthier without you having to lift a finger. Extra Frost Protection Okay, so what if you want extra winter protection? Enter frost covers, aka plant blankets. These come in different thicknesses—typically 17gsm or 30gsm. I always opt for 30gsm because, well, I like my plants extra cosy. Applying frost covers is a bit of an art. You’ll want to place them over your plants in the late afternoon when temperatures start to dip and remove them in the morning once the sun is up. Leaving them on too long can actually do more harm than good. Think of it like tucking your plants in for the night rather than smothering them under a never-ending blanket. They still need air and sunlight, even in winter! Over the years, I’ve experimented with different frost cover methods. At first, I wrapped my plants too tightly, thinking the more coverage, the better. But soon enough, I learned that too much insulation can trap moisture, leading to more problems than I started with! Now, I gently drape the covers over my plants, securing them just enough to stay in place without suffocating them. It’s a delicate balance—kind of like bundling up for a chilly day but still needing to breathe and move freely! My Winter Gardening Ritual Winter gardening might sound intimidating, but with the right preparations, it’s actually one of my favourite times of the year. There’s something oddly satisfying about knowing I’ve done everything I can to help my plants survive the colder months. When I step outside on a frosty morning and see my plants still standing strong, I feel like I’ve won a quiet little battle against the elements. Plus, I use this time to re-evaluate my garden layout, plan for next season, and even experiment with winter-friendly crops. And let’s not forget the joy of cosy garden walks—bundled up in layers, sipping hot tea, and admiring the resilience of nature. So, if you’ve ever debated whether to mulch or invest in frost covers, let me tell you—it’s worth it. Your plants will thank you, and you’ll go into winter knowing you’ve given them the best possible chance to thrive.

Spring & Summer Lawn Care Spring is finally here after what felt like a never-ending dry winter. No more hiding under blankets and behind thick scarves. It’s time to bask in the sun, get your hands dirty, and enjoy the buzzing of pollinators in your garden. August and September are the perfect months to get your garden and lawn ready for the season, especially your lawn, as it wakes up from winter dormancy. While everyone has their own method, I want to share with you the approach that has worked wonders for so many of my customers over the years. Kikuyu Lawn Care If you’ve got Kikuyu in those sunny spots of your garden, here’s how to give it the care it deserves: Scarify the Lawn First things first, let’s give your lawn a fresh start by scarifying it. This means cutting it as short as possible without hurting the roots. It’s like giving your lawn a good, clean shave to get rid of any thatch build-up. Aerate the Lawn Next up, grab your garden fork and poke some holes in the lawn. This might sound odd, but trust me, it’s going to do wonders. These little holes will help water, nutrients, and fertilizer reach the roots much more effectively. Apply Lawn Dressing Now, here’s where the magic happens. We’re going to cover the lawn with a special lawn dressing I swear by. It’s a mix of topsoil, dried chicken manure, and river sand. Each part of this blend plays a role: Topsoil: This levels out your lawn, so you’ll want to add a bit more in the bumpy spots. Dried Chicken Manure: This stuff is packed with nitrogen, making your grass green up and recover from winter like a champ. Plus, it’s a great soil conditioner for the year ahead. River Sand: While it might not do much for the lawn itself, it helps the whole mixture spread evenly and keeps the soil underneath well-drained. Spread the lawn dressing about 1-2 cm thick over the even parts of your lawn, and a little thicker (2-3 cm) where the lawn is uneven. You’ll see the difference in no time. Water the Lawn Give your lawn a good soak once or twice a week to help the dressing settle. Within 2-4 weeks, you’ll be amazed at how much greener and healthier it looks. Fertilize the Lawn After about 4 weeks, it’s time to give your lawn a little boost with fertilizer. Depending on how it responded to the lawn dressing, you’ve got a few options: LAN/KAN: This is a high-nitrogen fertilizer that’ll give your lawn a deep green colour. 8:1:5: If you’re looking for a more balanced growth, this nitrogen-based option will boost both the foliage and roots without that intense green shock. Slow-Release 5:1:5: For a more gradual approach, this balanced fertilizer releases nutrients over time, keeping your lawn in tip-top shape. And don’t forget to water thoroughly after fertilizing to prevent any burns. A little extra care goes a long way here. You can fertilize again after 6-8 weeks to keep your lawn looking lush until autumn rolls around. Mow the Lawn Mow your lawn weekly to keep it neat and tidy. It’s best to mow right after you’ve fertilized so you don’t pick up any granules. Just make sure your mowing and watering schedules don’t clash. LM Lawn Care LM grass can be a bit more finicky, especially since it’s often planted in shaded areas. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered: Clear Debris Let’s start by giving your lawn a good clean-up. Rake away any leaves, twigs, and dead grass that piled up over the winter. It’s like clearing the stage for new growth. Aerate the Lawn Just like with Kikuyu, we’ll aerate the LM lawn by poking small holes in the soil with a garden fork. This helps relieve soil compaction and ensures that water and nutrients can reach the roots. Apply a Balanced Slow-Release Fertilizer LM grass doesn’t love strong fertilizers, so we’ll use a gentle, slow-release option like 5:1:5 or 3:1:5. These fertilizers release nutrients over time, giving your lawn the steady support it needs without overwhelming it. You can also spread a very thin layer of lawn dressing, but be careful not to smother the grass. Fertilize every 8 weeks until winter. Water Properly Keep the soil consistently moist, especially after fertilizing. I recommend watering deeply but not too often—this encourages deep root growth and helps the lawn establish itself strong and healthy. Mow the Lawn In spring and early summer, mow every 7-10 days. Start with your mower set high to avoid stressing the new growth. As the season heats up, you can stretch out the mowing to every 10-14 days, but be sure not to cut too short—that can stress the lawn in the summer heat.  There you have it! With just a bit of effort and regular care, your Kikuyu or LM lawn will thrive through spring and summer. Regularly scarifying, aerating, fertilizing, watering, and mowing will keep your lawn in top shape until it’s time for it to rest again in autumn. I’d love to hear from you! What are your go-to lawn care tips? Have you tried any of these methods? Share your experiences in the comments below or feel free to ask any questions. And if you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with fellow garden enthusiasts! Happy gardening! Yours truly Strawberry Pot Blog FAQs