Spring Gardening - Exploring Coastal vs Inland

South Africa is a vast country with a variety of different landscapes, environments, and natural biomes that mean that not everyone can follow the same process to keeping their gardens properly maintained during the year.

Since spring has officially arrived, garden enthusiasts and homeowners are heading back into the natural world of their gardens and investing in ways to make them truly stand out from the crowd. Everyone's garden is unique, but we have found that one of the biggest challenges to properly maintaining a garden comes down to location, wise planning, and an understanding of the local environment.

Coastal gardens and inland gardens require completely different approaches to keeping them updated, modern, and inviting. Ahead, we take a look at both approaches and how best to keep your garden fresh this spring.

Defining a Coastal Garden

Gardens that you find along the seaside or coastal regions of South Africa (Such as KwaZulu Natal, The Garden Route, and the Western Cape) are a sanctuary of both beauty and a space to both relax and enjoy breathtaking ocean views. Despite the picturesque appeal, the closer you are to the ocean, the more particular you need to be about the sort of flora you invest in.

When considering what to plant, natural elements such as high wind and sea spray should always be kept in mind. Take for example palm trees. Not only are they super wind-resistant thanks to a bulky shape, but they also convert saltwater to freshwater, enjoy sandy soils, and thrive in competition-free sunlight. 

You will need to do research into which plants or grasses are native to coastal regions to make the maintenance process easier. Sea hardy plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but also provide a functional role. Many are well suited to their environments and help control against erosion and can shield your property from hard blowing sands. 

Some of the best coastal plants include Rosemary, variable leaf Sea Hollies, Thrift, Sea Kelp, Fleabane, Cabbage Palms, and Mullein flowers. Most of these plants do well under constant exposure and enjoy the moisture of humid climates. However, you can never go wrong with Fynbos (indigenous to the Cape) and classical flowers such as Proteas.

Thinking of prepping your garden with your kids? Spend the day teaching them about the importance of starting with seeding since this is an easy activity for them to attempt. Consider adding a touch of paint to your old pots and get them excited about spring flowers by picking and pressing your favourite buds.

Envisioning a Waterwise Inland Garden

When considering how to create an inland garden, attention to water usage and choosing plants that can live in dry, more arid environments is essential to ensuring your garden lasts. When living in areas such as Gauteng, the North West, and the Freestate, you need to pay more attention to seasonal changes.

Rain is often limited to certain times of the year, as such, investing in rainwater harvesters ensures that you save on rates and have excess water connected to an automated sprinkler system. Ensure that your gutters are cleaned out to make way for proper run-off and that the water stays as clean as possible.

Since dryer environments are not naturally green, your lawns need a bit more attention than they would by the coast to keep them looking healthy. Ensure that you spread enough lawn dressing over your grass and spread evenly across the surface. One single bag should cover at least five square meters.

One interesting trick for encouraging better seed growth is the process of scarification. By weakening the seed casing or altering the coat of seed you can improve the germination process. Seed scarification can be done in a number of ways. One of the easier steps include mixing your seeds in with coarse sand and shaking well for about 60 seconds.

How to maintain a coastal garden while living inland

Because seaside gardens can transform into colourful displays with the rich textures of tropical climates, many homeowners in dryer areas yearn for that particular showcase of beauty. If you understand your environment, creating the impression of a seaside sanctuary is quite possible as long as you have an open and sunny garden with a few well-placed trees. Add a few seaside accessories like palm trees and hammocks to truly enhance the look and feel.

Modern homes and contemporary styled properties look fantastic with this particular aesthetic but not all have the best exposure. Don't be disheartened because the sunny courtyards and balconies are perfect spaces for creating a contained coastal set. A good type of plant that grows pretty much anywhere is Brachyglottis with its silvery leaves and reflective quality to truly encapsulate a seaside look and feel.

Consider layering your garden walkways with gravel and pebbles over the soil in order keep the winter wet away from your plants and to help reflect light and warmth. This invites a little coastal flair into your inland garden and provides a suitable space for sun-loving flora.

Read our previous article here: https://www.hamiltons.co.za/news/from-home-automation-to-self-driving-cars-is-this-advanced-technology-within-our-reach/ 

Contact Hamiltons Property Portfolio for all your buying or selling requirements:

Johannesburg (Head Office): 011 463 0155

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Or email to reception@hamiltons.co.za