April Garden Guide

Kick off the new month by getting your hands (or gloves) gloriously dirty—it's winter bulbs planting time! Check out your April Garden Guide for all things bulbs and beyond because nothing says "autumn joy" like kneeling a little closer to the earth and preparing your winter and spring garden.

Plant out Winter Bulbs 

Flower bulbs are like the secret ingredient to a show-stopping garden—just pop them into pots, borders, or raised beds, and voilà! A season full of magic. Imagine your patio bursting with colour or your garden looking like something out of a fairytale—all thanks to the underground wizardry of winter-growing bulbs, quietly prepping for their big debut.

While your bulbs are busy growing roots and plotting their grand entrance, why not give them a cosy cover of annuals? Think of it as tucking them in with a floral duvet—keeping the soil cool and your garden looking fabulous in the meantime.

Petunias, Violas, pansies, poppies, Primulas, and Cineraria are all chill with the cold and ready to deliver instant flower power. So, while your bulbs take their sweet time, these little bloomers will keep your garden (and your mood) looking bright and cheery!

Do you want to know the real brilliance of bulbs? They’re like the easygoing guests of the plant world—happy to grow just about anywhere, especially in containers ! Perfect for patios, balconies, and cosy gardens, they bring big colour to even the smallest of spaces.

Want to level up your bulb game? Shop our range of terracotta pots for a stupendous (yes, we said stupendous!) set-up that will keep your space warm and vibrant from winter to spring. 

All you need is some good, compost-enriched soil that is well-draining, pop your bulbs in following the instructions on the pack, and boom—you’re basically a gardening guru! Just don’t forget to mulch (because even bulbs appreciate a cosy blanket). Then, keep those bulbs happy with a good drink every 2–3 days if they’re in pots—just until you see water draining from the bottom.

Planted straight into the garden? You can water less often, especially if it’s rained (nature doing the job for you—how convenient!). Just remember that when you do water it should be deeply—about 10 minutes—because strong roots equals thriving plants!

Seriously, it’s that easy! What’s not to love?

To Leave or Lift?

Lucky for us, the South African climate is like an all-inclusive resort for most bulbs—no need to dig them up and rehouse them every season! The only real reason to lift them? A little garden reshuffle. Guess what? Now’s the perfect time to do just that for these local botanical gems.

Time to dig, divide, and replant! Give them a fresh start in a new spot if they are overcrowded and follow up with a deep watering to help them settle in.

Bulbs Ready for a Move:

• Bulbinella (cat’s tail) – not actually a cat, but just as charming.

• Cyrtanthus (summer-growing) – the sun worshiper of the group, waiting for the warmer months to shine.

• Dietes grandiflora (fortnight lily) – blooms like clockwork, every two weeks (more reliable than some WiFi connections).

• Kniphofia (red hot poker) – sets the garden on ‘fire’ (figuratively, of course).

• Louisiana iris – for a touch of evergreen beauty.

Bulb Tip: If you’re lifting your fortnight lily, give those leaves a little haircut—trim them back by half to help the roots recover without guzzling too much moisture. The same applies to Louisiana irises which can be trimmed 15-30cm down.

Kniphofia rooperi and Kniphofia sarmentosa should have their foliage cut down by a third and rhizomes replanted immediately in soil that is enriched with compost and manure.

Grow your Greens

Don’t just grow bulbs—branch out and grow your own greens and herbs! Seriously, let’s be honest, nothing feels fancier than sprinkling homegrown herbs on your meal like you’re a gourmet chef (even if it’s just on salad).

Veggies to Plant Now:

Leafy Legends – Asian greens, kale, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard (basically, the VIPs of salads).
Root Rockstars – Beetroot, carrots, radish, parsnips, turnips (for those who love a good underground surprise).
Other Edible All-Stars – Broad beans, cabbage (red and classic), kohlrabi, celery, Chinese cabbage, leeks, onions, peas (because fresh peas are the chef's kiss).

Herbs to Elevate Your Cooking Game:

For Flavour & Fancy Garnishing: Chervil, chives, garlic chives, coriander, caraway, rocket and parsley (because every dish deserves a little extra flair).

So, get planting— your taste buds will thank you!

Ready to get planting? Look no further than this Terracotta Planter—the ultimate garden MVP! Stylish, timeless, and perfect for growing your favourite veggies and herbs, season after season. Just add soil, seeds, water, and a little love, and watch the magic happen! 

Shop Organic Vegetable and Herb Seeds Here.

No garden? No problem! Microgreens to the rescue! These tiny but mighty nutrient-packed sprouts are ready to munch on in just 5 days—because patience is overrated.

Grab your ready-to-grow kit now at  www.hadeco.co.za !

As the chill starts to creep in, let’s keep our hands busy and our hearts warm with the joy of new growth—because nothing beats the thrill of seeing your garden come to life!

Happy planting, and may your month be filled with blooms, greenery, and just the right amount of dirt under your nails!