South Africa’s summer is a season of growth – long days, warm soil, and plenty of sunshine create the perfect environment for your garden to flourish. But to turn that potential into a truly bountiful harvest, your plants need more than just sunlight and water. They need the right nutrients, at the right time.
At GSR Outdoor, we believe that a healthy, productive garden starts with a well-fed soil foundation. Here’s your complete guide to fertilizing your garden this summer for maximum growth, colour, and yield.
Not all soil is created equal – and fertilizing without understanding your soil’s needs can lead to wasted effort or even plant damage.
Before applying fertilizer, take a moment to assess your soil type:
If possible, use a soil test kit to determine pH and nutrient levels. Most vegetables and flowers thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6–7).
Different plants have different appetites. A thriving summer garden might include vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and lawns – each requiring specific nutrients to perform their best.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
You can choose between:
Timing matters. Fertilize too early, and nutrients may wash away before your plants can use them. Too late, and you risk burning roots or encouraging excess foliage instead of fruit.
For the best results:
Always water your garden well before and after fertilizing – this helps nutrients penetrate the soil and prevents root burn.
Fertilizer works best when supported by good gardening practices. A layer of organic mulch – such as compost, bark chips, or lawn clippings – helps your soil retain moisture, regulate temperature, and slowly release nutrients back into the ground.
Mulching is especially important in South Africa’s hot summer months, where water can evaporate quickly and stress your plants.
While it’s easy to focus on the veggie patch, your lawn, shrubs, and flowerbeds also benefit from regular feeding. Apply a slow-release lawn fertilizer for steady green growth and a balanced garden appearance.
At GSR Outdoor, we offer a wide range of lawn and garden care products – from fertilizers and compost to topsoil and lawn dressings – to help your outdoor spaces thrive all season long.
One of the biggest secrets to a productive garden isn’t the type of fertilizer you use – it’s how consistently you apply it. Light, frequent feedings are usually more effective than one heavy dose.
Keep an eye on your plants’ growth and adjust your routine as needed. Yellow leaves, stunted growth, or poor flowering can all signal nutrient deficiencies.
A healthy, well-fertilized garden doesn’t just produce more – it rewards you with colour, fragrance, and fresh home-grown produce all summer long.
As spring arrives and lawns burst back to life, choosing the right mower becomes a top priority. At GSR Outdoor, we offer an extensive range of high-performance lawn mowers designed for every type of lawn and lifestyle. From compact electric models to powerful ride-ons, the right machine can save you time, effort, and even fuel costs in the long run.
As spring arrives and lawns burst back to life, choosing the right mower becomes a top priority. At GSR Outdoor, we offer an extensive range of high-performance lawn mowers designed for every type of lawn and lifestyle. From compact electric models to powerful ride-ons, the right machine can save you time, effort, and even fuel costs in the long run.