November’s Garden Glory: What to sow, grow and know!
Gardening is supposed to be fun, and passionate gardener Diedre Riedlinger advises people to relax, accept the failures and celebrate the wins.
A DURBAN resident’s approach to gardening is more of an art than a science. While gardening books, Google and experts suggest precise months for sowing and planting, Diedre Riedlinger tends to play it by ear.
As spring approaches and the cooler months of July and August wind down, Riedlinger, who has a YouTube channel titled Chaotic Gardener, said she knows it’s time to get her seeds in the soil.
According to the gardener, it usually takes a few tries before she sees sprouts and gets to follow a quirky tradition she borrowed from Laura at Roots and Refuge Farm of singing Happy Birthday to the newly sprouted seedlings while gently ruffling their leaves to mimic a breeze.
“This, they say, helps establish strong seedlings. It will also make your neighbours wonder what is going on in your garden,” she said.
Also read: ‘Chaos is more fun’ – Durban resident shares her gardening journey
Reflecting on the climate, she said one must ask, “Does Durban experience ‘winter’?”
“This year has been particularly mild, and my brassicas – usually fans of cooler weather – haven’t done well. A bit of research led me to understand that our warm winter may have caused these plants to go to seed too soon or become stunted. Not one to give up, I planted a second batch of broccoli, and they’re now heading up beautifully.”
November: The end of spring, the start of a busy garden
Riedlinger said the best time to plant summer crops in KZN is from October to March, our rainy season, which is a boon for thirsty vegetables and flowers alike.
“By November, you’re heading towards the end of spring, and if you’re more organised than I am, your seeds should be well on their way. Flowers are blooming, and vegetables should already be yielding some harvests.”
Previously, Riedlinger, who is an educator by profession, said she learned there’s a difference between sowing and planting.
“Sowing means planting seeds, either directly in the ground or in a controlled environment like a greenhouse or, in my case, seed trays on the dining room table. When they’re ready, I move them to a sunny spot on an old repurposed braai, where I can keep an eye on them and water them as needed. Planting, on the other hand, involves transplanting these young plants – now with true leaves, maybe even flowers or roots – into their final spots in the garden.”
For a head start, people should consider sowing seeds indoors before spring.
“Succession sowing, or sowing in stages, is a great way to ensure a continuous supply of crops and backup plants in case of failures. When succession sowing, it’s not a bad idea to pick up some seedlings from a nursery if your own seeds don’t thrive. It’s still satisfying to harvest, even if you didn’t start them from scratch.”
What do you plant?
As spring ends, it’s time to say goodbye to cool-weather crops like kale, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and peas. Now’s the time to focus on plants that will carry you through the summer. November is perfect for planting eggplants, all varieties of beans (bush, runner, etc), carrots, tomatoes, squash, peppers, beetroots, potatoes, corn, cucumbers and possibly lettuce. Although lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, planting it in the shade of larger plants can help it last longer and maintain its sweetness. Who does not enjoy a lettuce salad in summer?
From mildew to heat waves: Overcoming November’s garden obstacles
Tomatoes: “Powdery mildew is a constant struggle. I’m considering using shade cloth this year in hopes of improving the harvest.”
Rain: “While it’s convenient for those of us who can’t water on a strict schedule, too much rain exacerbates the mildew problem. Unfortunately, we can’t just turn off that big tap in the sky when it pours.”
An artist’s work is never done. The November Garden To-Do List.
⁕ Feed – fertilise for the more sciencey people – and water your lawn.
⁕ Mow regularly: It may feel like that’s all you do in summer!
⁕ Keep an eye out for powdery mildew.
⁕ Put out bait for pumpkin flies.
⁕ Fertilise flowers and veggies.
⁕ Continue succession sowing: This ensures a steady supply of fresh veggies all season long.
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