A Hot and Handsome February

February in South Africa is sizzling, and for gardeners that means three golden rules:

1. Mulch-up to the max
2. Practice smart water-wise gardening
3. Celebrate heat-loving plants

Atlantic Fertilisers is here to help you beat the heat and keep your garden thriving under the African sun. With the right mulch, clever watering, and the perfect fertiliser, your plants will flourish beautifully this month.

The Magic of Mulch

Mulch is your garden’s best friend in February. Use bark chips, macadamia shells, compost, or pebbles to:

• Keep soil and roots cool
• Reduce evaporation and save water
• Improve soil structure over time

Tip: Apply a layer of Atlantic Fertilisers Bio Ganic All Purpose before mulching to enrich the soil with slow-release nutrition. This ensures your plants get the best of both worlds – cool roots and steady feeding.

Sexy Veggies for February

• To sow: Spinach, carrots, radish, cauliflower, celery, cabbage, oriental vegetables, basil, coriander, nasturtium.
• To plant: Bush beans, onions, lettuce, beetroot, Swiss chard.
• To tend: Clear out tired summer crops, loosen soil, and add compost.
• To prep: Plant seed potatoes now for an early winter harvest.

Fertiliser tip: Boost leafy greens with Atlantic Fertilisers Bio Ocean for strong growth and improved flavour.

Flirtatious Flowers

• Primetime beauties: Bougainvilleas, daylilies, and variegated foliage plants.
• Sweetheart sowing: Sweet peas—soak seeds overnight for better germination.
• Heat-lovers: Orange hermannia, marigolds, wild rosemary, and Honeybells.
• Seedling trays: Sow pansies, violas, primulas, larkspurs, and Canterbury bells.

Fertiliser tip: Use Atlantic Fertilisers Flower & Fruit to encourage vibrant blooms and longer-lasting colour.

Water-Wise Lawn Care

• Raise mower blades to 5cm to shade soil.
• Water in the evening to reduce evaporation.
• Water deeply twice a week instead of short, frequent bursts.
• Collect rainwater in buckets and use it for pots and beds.

Extra tip: Apply Atlantic Fertilisers Bio Ganic Lawns to strengthen root systems, making your lawn more drought-tolerant.

Smart Spraying & Feeding

• Watch for red spider mites on roses – check leaf undersides.
• Feed containers and hanging baskets fortnightly with a liquid fertiliser.

Terracotta Pot Tricks

• Soak pots overnight before planting to prevent moisture loss.
• Use a coffee filter at the base to stop soil from escaping.
• Choose thicker-walled pots for durability and frost resistance.

Eco-Warrior Spotlight: The Braconid Wasp

This tiny wasp is a hero in the veggie patch, especially against tomato hornworms. If you spot a hornworm covered in eggs, leave it – it’s hosting an army of natural pest controllers.

Fresh February Tips

• Group pots together to create microclimates and reduce water loss.
• Add water-retaining crystals to soil mixes for containers.
• Use greywater (from baths or basins, not kitchens) for ornamental plants.
• Apply Atlantic Fertilisers Bio Rock to improve soil structure and water retention.

Enjoy your February garden and never let the heat get the better of your plants. Mulch generously, water wisely, and feed with Atlantic Fertilisers to keep your garden lush, colourful, and resilient.