After the cooler winter months, the Highveld is starting to wake up! September marks the beginning of spring, bringing warmer days, longer daylight hours and the perfect opportunity to get your garden ready for a season of growth.

Whether you have a large garden, a small courtyard or a few pots on the patio, now is the time to get your hands in the soil and give your garden some attention.

🌿 Start with a Garden Clean-Up

Before planting, take some time to tidy up after winter. Remove dead leaves, spent annuals and damaged branches, and clear away weeds that may have appeared.

Give your garden beds a good once-over and trim back plants that need shaping. Clearing away old plant material also gives your new spring growth plenty of room to shine.

🌱 Prepare Your Soil

Healthy plants start with healthy soil.

The beginning of spring is a great time to improve your soil by adding compost or well-rotted organic matter. This helps improve soil structure, drainage and nutrient availability, giving your plants the strong foundation they need for the growing season ahead.

If you’re planting new beds, take some time to prepare the soil properly before putting your plants in.

🌼 Add Some Colour

Spring is the perfect time to bring colour back into your garden.

Look out for colourful annuals, flowering perennials and shrubs that will brighten up your outdoor spaces. Mix different heights, textures and flowering times to create a garden that stays interesting throughout the season.

And don’t forget your pots and containers! A few colourful planters can instantly freshen up a patio, entrance or entertainment area.

💧 Adjust Your Watering Routine

As temperatures rise, your plants will gradually need more water than they did during winter. However, avoid automatically watering every day.

Rather check the soil and water deeply when needed. Early morning or late afternoon is generally a better time to water, helping reduce unnecessary evaporation.

Remember that newly planted plants need particular attention while they establish their root systems.

🌳 Give Your Garden a Feed

Spring is the start of active growth for many plants, making it a good time to provide them with the nutrients they need.

Choose a fertiliser suited to the plants you’re growing and follow the application instructions carefully. Lawns, flowering plants, vegetables and shrubs can all have different nutritional requirements.

🥕 Get Your Veggie Garden Growing

If you’ve been waiting for warmer weather to start your vegetable garden, September is the time to get going!

Depending on your garden and local conditions, spring is a great season to start planning and planting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, carrots, lettuce and herbs.

Growing your own vegetables is not only rewarding—it’s also a great way to make the most of your garden space.

🐝 Don’t Forget the Pollinators

A thriving spring garden isn’t just about beautiful flowers. By including flowering plants that attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators, you can help create a more active and diverse garden ecosystem.

Choose a variety of flowering plants and, where possible, include plants that provide nectar throughout different parts of the season.

🛠️ Time to Check Your Garden Tools

Before the gardening season gets into full swing, check that your tools are ready to go.

Clean and sharpen secateurs, check your spades and forks, inspect hoses and make sure your watering equipment is working properly. A little preparation now can make those spring gardening jobs much easier.

🌸 Make This Spring Your Garden’s Best Yet

Spring on the Highveld is full of potential. With a little preparation, some fresh plants and the right care, your garden can quickly transform after the winter months.

Pop into Keengro Garden Centre for everything you need to get your garden growing this spring. Our team is here to help you choose the right plants, products and gardening essentials for your outdoor space.

🌱 Visit Keengro Garden Centre and let’s grow something beautiful this spring!