Renosterveld is an umbrella term that describes one of the major plant communities of the Cape Floristic Region located in the Western Cape province. It is also one of the most threatened habitats because little is left.
WHAT IS RENOSTERVELD
It is part of the Fynbos biome, but it is very different from fynbos. The main difference is that these plants generally lack the three distinct fynbos elements like the Protea, Erica and Restio, and can survive relatively frequent fires. It occurs on fertile soils formed by the weathering of granite and shale and where rainfall is moderate. Nobody is sure how the vegetation got its name, but it was believed to be named after the Black Rhinoceros that lived in this habitat. The only animal that ate the unpleasant tasting bush, Elytropappus Rhinocerotis or Renosterbos, a common shrub species in Renosterveld.
RENOSTERVELD PLANTS
These plants are famous for its spectacular, rare and endemic geophytes (bulbs) that flowers in spring and summer. This includes plants like the Amarylla belladonna (March Lily), orchids like Satyrium (trewwas), Disa bracteata, Moraea (tulpe), Geissorhiza (kelkiewyn), Gladiolus spp (kalkoentjie), and Watsonias, to name a few. Grasses are also typical renosterveld, with the C3 grasses that require a cool and wet environment. The C4 grasses require a tropical and dry climate. Cyperus spp, Eragrostis curvula, Eragrostis capensis, Aristida junciformis, Themeda triandra being the most well-known grasses. Shrubs and small trees include the Renosterbos, Stoebe plumosa, Eriocephalis africanus, Oftia africana, Anisodontea scabrosa, Olea africana, Searsia lucida and Selago canescens, to name just a few of the stunning plants. Succulents also occur in Renosterveld, showing how diverse and adapted these plants are. For example, Euphorbia mauritanica along the West Coast is stunning during spring when yellow flowers are all over the roadsides. Crassula muscosa, Crassula nudicaulis, Crassula perforata and Crassula rupestris are a few succulents that grows happy in renosterveld areas.
VEGETATION AND ANIMALS
Koi and San used renosterveld plants for food, medicine and grazing. In addition, many of these trees and shrubs produce berries that attract fruit-eating birds. They also attract other animals like baboons and the critically endangered geometric tortoise. During spring, the flowers of various bulbs attract bees and varied beetles.
THREATS
Because of the high fertility of the soil, most of the areas have been ploughed and converted to agriculture. However, the presence of abundant grasses is excellent for animal food, and therefore there is overgrazing and mismanagement of the veld, killing off some of the renosterveld plants. Another serious threat is alien plants, which infest large undisturbed mountains and flats.
CONSERVING THE RENOSTERVELD
Today all types of Renosterveld are considered Critically Endangered or irreplaceable. With most on private farmland, it is up to the farm owners to help conserve this beautiful South African vegetation. With only 2% of Renosterveld vegetation types now formally preserved, a lot still needs to be done as some of the most threatened vegetation types occur in Renosterveld. The Swartland Renosterveld has the Tienie Versfeld Nature reserve donated by the Versfeld family. The Haarwegkloof farm and some neighbouring farms started a reserve in the Overberg. Many more farmers are also conserving parts of their farms with this vegetation. However, there is still a monumental amount of work to preserve this critically endangered vegetation.
Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve
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Moss may look nice on rocks and under trees, but on your lawn, it means trouble. The Western Cape winter is tough on properties. The grey, wet days and almost no (or slow) grass growth are ideal conditions for moss to grow and thrive in.
What is Moss?
Moss is a mass of tiny plants. They have a shallow root system spread by spores and fill the spaces where the lawn is thin. Therefore, moss in your lawn is a good indicator that you have a deeper problem. However, the control of moss requires more than just the killing of existing moss. The best way to prevent moss from growing in your lawn is to correct the underlying reason the moss began growing in the first place.
Get out of the shade!
Poor drainage, shade, acidic soil, heavy traffic and lack of fertilizer are all reasons moss thrives on your lawn. Ridding lawn moss requires it first to remove the moss and, secondly, stop it from coming back.
Heat – the moss Killer!
The best time to kill moss is during late winter or early spring. It doesn’t die back in winter and also doesn’t release spores during cold weather. Take your rake and rake it off the ground with a little bit of muscle and elbow grease. It is best to rake in several directions to loosen the moss. First, discard the moss with your garbage – not on your compost heap! For larger areas, you may want to spray a moss killer. I don’t recommend using harsh chemical killers; it is not safe for your pets and kids. Instead, use two teaspoons of either baking soda or dishwashing liquid on 1 litre of water, and spray directly on the moss. This will keep it from developing further or returning after it dries up.
Good drainage is crucial!
Secondly, after removing the moss, start by correcting the area’s condition. Poor drainage can be rectified by aerating the soil using a garden fork or hand-operated spikers. Aerating the soil improves the flow of water, air and nutrients to the grassroots. Pay attention to areas where water is likely to gather. In areas with heavy traffic, also aerate the soil and divert traffic away for a week or two. If too much shade is the problem, thin the canopy under trees if you can, or plant or sow a shade loving grass. Also, remove dead leaves and other debris accumulating on your lawn surface. It prevents grass from receiving sunlight and moisture.
Healthy soil means a healthy lawn
Soil pH is essential to the health of plants and can also affect the nutrient uptake in plants. Lawn grass prefers a pH of 5 to 7. Moss prefers acidic soil. Use dolomitic lime to raise or “sweeten” the soil. Fertilize the lawn in winter with a fertilizer high in phosphate to encourage root development and make lawn grass more competitive and tackle growth. Re-seed bare patches on your lawn.
Having a healthy lawn without moss or weeds can give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and provide a beautiful personal space for you and your family.
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Autumn in your garden is like a spring in your step!
Autumn colours are one of nature’s marvels. Yellow and orange are the colours of sunshine and life, full of vibrance, highlighting the beginning of a new season. And red, well red is eye-catching and courageous, making Autumn brilliant, exciting and cheerful.
With this colourful time in your garden come days that are cooling down, softer sunlight and unpredictable weather.
It is important to remember that your gardening should not stop in the autumn months. Autumn is the time to prepare your garden for winter and prepping it for the following spring.
Start a compost heap this Autumn
Compost is organic gold, and with all the colourful leaves, grass clippings, dead flowers and plants, there will be enough organic matter to start with. (Remember not to throw weeds or diseased plants on your compost heap).
Divide perennials
Autumn is the best time to divide overgrown, summer-flowering perennials like wild garlic, Agapanthus, Dietes and daylilies so new roots can get a chance to establish themselves before the winter really starts. Remember to prepare soil in advance with compost and put some bone meal (good root starter) in each hole, and water well.
Compost
By giving a layer of compost in the Autumn, you ensure that plants have all the nutrients they need for winter. Compost will also help to aerate the soil; it will improve drainage and encourage earthworms and micro-organisms in your garden.
Pruning and Watering
Cut back all summer flowering perennials like Salvia, lavender bushes, Fuchsias and daisy bushes. Cut back all dead growth, twigs and branches.
Remember to set irrigation in your garden on less watering and reduce the amount of water you give to your house plants.
Lawn care
Keep lawn weed-free and feed with a phosphorous rich fertilizer to promote a healthy root system before the winter weather arrives. Remove fallen leaves from your lawn regularly as they deprive the lawn of light, causing it to die off and create brown patches.
Planting for spring
Seedlings and bulbs can be planted in early Autumn. Some bulbs like Watsonia’s and Chasmanthe can be planted as early as March. If it is still too hot in your area to plant spring bulbs, buy them while they are available and keep them in a cool, dry place. New plantings will establish good root growth before slowing down in winter.
Check for the unwelcome guest in your garden
Watch out for weeds that will germinate after the first winter rains and with the cooler weather. Snails, caterpillars and aphids love the cooler nights and warm days. Keep a lookout for them, spray them off your plants with water, or ask at your local nursery for a recommended organic spray.
The best part is that next spring, your efforts will be rewarded with a garden that comes alive and will look better than ever!
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Gomphostigma Virgatum Shrub is indigenous to South Africa and Zimbabwe, and occurs naturally alongside water streams and rivers in Kwazulu-Natal. It is a fast-growing, hardy shrub and is evergreen, frost-resistant, and an extremely low maintenance plant. It releases a curry-like fragrance that is pleasant to humans and animals alike when it has rained wet.
Delicate Comphostigma Virgatum Shrub
Gomphostigma Virgatum Shrub has a delicate narrow silver-grey foliage with a vase-shaped growth habit and is a shining light in your garden among all the green-leaved shrubs. Spikes of white star-shaped flowers in late spring to early autumn is sweetly fragrant. It is happiest in full sun but needs regular irrigation to keep it comfortable. Being low maintenance, it only needs pruning after flowering to encourage bushiness and more flowers for the following season. A mulch of compost to keep roots cool in the heat of the day and regular watering will keep these beautiful shrubs happy. Gomphostigma is a winner plant around a water feature in well-draining and well-composted soil.
Birds nesting in your garden
Gomphostigma Virgatum Shrub attract birds and butterflies to one’s garden. Birds use the young branches for nest building because of their flexibility. It is also a specific host for endemic dodder, and if you spot these dodder on your plants in your garden, please remove before it spreads to other plants.
This plant, the Gomphostigma Virgatum Shrub does have a medicinal purpose as well. It is used traditionally to restore strength to a fatigued person. Serviceable brooms are also made from the longer twigs of the Gomphostigma Virgatum, which are cut before the flowers appear.
Looking for the contrast
This graceful shrub is best planted close together for the best and striking effect in any garden and makes a tremendous contrasting plant, whether it is winter, summer, autumn or spring!
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Now and then, all of us need a healthy pot of tea, not compost tea, that’s only for the plants! We all can relate to feeling quirky and happy after a good cuppa! Plants need tea though, and you don’t even need to put the kettle on!
Tea as a probiotic
Like us, plants need some healthy probiotics and the easiest way is by making your own compost tea and feeding your plants with this wonderful potion. Compost tea is a fantastic way to feed the roots as it is an organic fertilizer, and by giving your plant’s this tea, you infuse them with a healthy dose of nutrients. You eliminate the need for chemical fertilisers and improve the soils overall health with a beneficial cocktail of bacteria and fungi. This tea gives a feeding directly to plants’ foliage, even though plants can’t absorb all the nutrients through their leaves.
Making Compost Tea
Making your one compost tea is easy and inexpensive. You only need a bucket, water and a bag of well-matured compost. Place 4 cups of compost in the bucket, fill with at least 5 litres of water, and then stir well. It takes time to separate the organism from the compost so let this mixture steep overnight.
Leftover compost tea as mulch
If you use manure-based compost it tends to contain higher nitrogen levels so use sparingly as it can burn your plants. To be on the safe side, you can mix your compost tea with some more water before applying it to your plants. It has a very short shelf-life, so use it within 3 to 4 days. Use the leftover compost in the bucket as a mulch in your garden.
Inexpensive benefits
The bottom line is that this tea is relatively easy and inexpensive to make and use and holds many benefits for your plants.
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