MIDLANDS GARDEN CENTRES, KZN
NEWSLETTER
Autumn is a great planting time! The plants settle in better with the cooler weather and do not feel the shock of transplanting as much.
Plant now the 3’P’ namely Pansies, Poppies and Primulas and of course the ever popular Viola. You can still place orders for bulk trays flower seedlings with Jacky 033 -267 5025, cell. No. 082 4477 821 or jacky@midlandsgardencentre.co.za . The bulk tray sizes are as follows 45 or 98 plants in a tray. Obviously the bulk trays are more economical to buy especially if you have a large garden or area to plant up. I find that the sooner you plant your Winter and Spring seedlings the stronger they grow before Winter settles and therefore will flower during the Winter months and not only in Spring.
You should also sow your African Daisy (Namaqualand) seed as soon as possible. When sowing the seed, just cover with a thin layer of Compost and water well. If you still see some seed, cover lightly with more compost and the seed should germinate within 5 to 10 days.
There are also many different winter and spring bulbs available from your local nurseries. Sparaxis, Tritonia and Ixia are very easy to grow and grow between 30 and 40 cm in height. Plant them close together +-8cm apart to give you a good show. Ranunculus is to me one of the showiest bulbs on the market and make good cut flowers that last long in the vase. The flowers grow on 50 cm stems. Plant the bulbs +-12 cm apart.
Another exciting bulb is the Narcissus (Paperwhite) they look best group together in a flat, low not too deep pot or as a group in your flower bed. Plant those 12cm apart. They all should bloom in July and August.
Freesias with their strong fragrance and Dutch Iris make beautiful cut flowers and are easy to grow.
The Hyacinth bulbs can be planted in glass jars filled with marbles or decorate with stone chip without any soil. They are nice to grow on the window sills in the kitchen.
The biggest secret in growing bulbs successfully is by never letting the soil dry out, keep moist at all times!!!
The Daffodils have arrived and the Tulips will only arrive during May and June.
Happy autumn planting!
Seedlings
We grow most of our own seedlings that we sell and supply various sizes e.g. bulk trays of 98, 45 or 24 and also 6pk trays.
In Spring/ Summer we have Begonias, Petunias, Allysum, etc.
In autumn we have Iceland Poppies, Primula Malacoides, Pansies, Violas, Calendula, Primula Thundra, Petunias, Sweet peas,etc. available.
Vegetable seedlings are available in 6 pk 8pk and 12pk trays. In Summer you can grow Tomatoes, Lettuce, Green Peppers, Chillies,Corgettes, Butternut, Cucumer, etc. and in Winter you have Winter crisp lettuce, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Onions, Beetroot, Leeks, Spring onion, Pok Choi, Cabbage, Carrots, Spinach, Chives and Parsley.
Bulbs
Your Winter/Spring bulbs i.e.Daffodils, Narcissus Ranunculus, Dutch Irises, Freesias, Hyacinths and Indigenous bulbs that you got from us must be flowering now. It is nearly time to plant your Summer bulbs.e.g. Amaryllis,Dahlia , Zantedeschias, etc.
We are a retail garden centre that is family own and have been operating from the main branch in Rosetta for the last 13 years. We are situated in the beautiful Natal Midlands on a property that is surrounded with beautiful trees and full of bird life. It is out in the country and we proud ourselves with the personal service we give our customers.
We open a Green Bean Coffee Shop in November 2014 at Rosetta Branch supply good quality Mokador Coffee with home baked cake, tarts and scones with tranquil settings and surrounds.
SERVICES
Trees and shrubs
Our plants are healthy and in very good condition. We also stock varieties that you will not find at commercial nurseries e.g. Flowering Cherries, Pieris, English Laurels, Rhododendrons and Acer Palmatum.
Landscaping
Landscaping is done by my father Chris Koch a talented landscape designer with over 40 years experience.
He has a vast knowledge on plants and what plants will survive our harsh weather conditions. He is passionate about plants and wants to make all human beings avid gardeners!