While the rainy season in this part of the world normally starts in November and continues until March, it has also been unseasonably cool for the start of summer, sparking debate on climate change.  Has anyone else noticed strange weather patterns in their part of South Africa, or the world?

A rainy November

A rainy November

A rainy November

This is my first post here to Sprig! And can I say what a brilliant idea it is! I have been serious (well, sort of) about gardening for about a year, but although I am a member of other good sites (such as www.myfolia.com) I found that there is a lack of good South African-specific blogs. It’s excellent to find a site that offers advice and ideas from South Africans, for South Africans about our wonderful local flora.

Now, I know that this is a Durban gardening blog, but I’d like to hear from gardners elsewhere in South Africa about how they are coping (or not) with the odd weather this year! Are the Cape Townians thinking seriously about starting a ‘Swamp Garden’? How about those of us in the Eastern Cape who are desperate for a drop of rain!

I personally have found cow manure to be an excellent mulch and water-holding agent. I am lucky enough to live on a farm where cow manure is not in short supply-and I have dug bags and bags of it into my vegetable garden where it forms a nice moist layer below the surface. My lettuces are doing amazingly well and I have been picking them for salads most nights.

What are your tips and tricks for coping with droughts or very wet weather?