Gardening in South Africa

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Bird Nesting Season - Do Not Disturb!

Monday, 27 September 2021 09:27

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`Did you know that in countries like The United States of America, the United Kingdom, Europe and Russia, to name a few, it is illegal to harm a bird’s nest, even in your own backyard? In South Africa there are laws protecting many of our endangered birds, but not all our birds. In order to protect birds and all the other wildlife living in our suburbs, I appeal to all gardeners to prune responsibly, even if it is a bit inconvenient. Read more about pruning responsibly below.

Blooming Marvellous

Friday, 24 September 2021 09:33

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MayFord Seeds and the Apollo Music Trust cordially invites you to a morning of gardening and music vignettes on Saturday 9 October from 10am at 41A Erslwold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg. Read more about this event below.

Dahlias once again take centre-stage in the flower border

Wednesday, 22 September 2021 11:12

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Dahlia 'Top Mix' Picture courtesy HadecoFlower fashions come and go, and although dahlias fell out of favour for a while, thankfully their bright and bold blooms are back in vogue. There are so many varieties, each one more beautiful than the last, that choosing dahlias for your garden is much more difficult than growing them. Read more below about the fascinating history of dahlias, where to grow them in the garden, and the care they need to keep them blooming all season long.

How to grow and care for the fragrant Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Wednesday, 08 September 2021 13:25

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Mature Specimen - Brunfelsia pauciflora 'Eximia'

Gardeners from all over the world love to grow this magnificent shrub for its abundance of headily fragrant flowers which smother the bushes in spring, with a smaller flush in late summer, or anytime during the year if it likes its location. Read more below about growing this plant in garden beds and pots.

Strawberries from Seed – A First for RSA

Tuesday, 07 September 2021 08:38

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Strawberry 'Florian'. Picture courtesy Mayford SeedRich red in colour and silky sweet to taste, few fruits are as quintessential of a sunny summer’s day as are strawberries. If it is taste and packed in goodness you are after, we all know that nothing beats growing your own. Read more about growing and caring for this strawberry below.

Rose care for September

Monday, 30 August 2021 13:53

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'Bridget' Floribunda Rose. Picture courtesy Ludwigs RosesOctober is known as “Rose Month” in South Africa, and there is nothing quite as perfect as those very first summer blooms, so if you want your roses to perform well next month, read the article below - it’s time to give your roses some TLC this month.

Lily borer larvae hatch in early summer

Sunday, 29 August 2021 10:28

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Lilly borer caterpillarsLilly borers are a serious pest of some of our favourite garden flowers like amaryllis and clivia, and if not controlled early, the caterpillars can quickly destroy the plants right down to the bulbs. Read more below on how to control lilly borers organically in the garden.

The Tree for Promotion for Arbour Week in 2021 is the very popular Spekboom

Sunday, 22 August 2021 16:21

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Portulacaria afra. Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaThe spekboom is so easy to grow and is drought tolerant and also fire resistant, making it excellent for firescaping properties susceptible to wildfires. It is also a good soil binder, helping to prevent soil erosion, and is used for restoration purposes in semi-arid landscapes and thicket vegetation.

Iviki Lezihlahla, Arbour Week - 30 August to 5 September 2021

Sunday, 22 August 2021 14:43

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Image by Pezibear from PixabayThere is an old Chinese proverb which is perfect for arbour week. It says: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” Read the rest of this article below, and also find links to information on the 3 trees which were selected as trees of the year for South Africa in 2021, as well as links to find our Champion Trees.

The Common Tree of the Year to plant for Arbour Week in 2021 is the Sweet Thorn

Sunday, 22 August 2021 13:43

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Vachellia karroo - Picture courtesy Bernard DUPONT see his flickr pageThe lovely Sweet Thorn, Soetdoring, mookana, mooka, umuNga (Vachenalia karroo) is tough as nails, and an adaptable pioneer which is able to establish itself without shade, shelter, or protection from res. It is very adaptable to soil types, and tolerates long periods of drought. Read more about growing it below.

New Fairy Houses for Sale

Sunday, 15 August 2021 16:47

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Fairy House Light 'Shades of Pink'These bespoke fairy house night lights are sure to mesmerise your guests, and will look lovely in covered patios and entertainment areas, as well as indoors. They make perfect gifts for baby showers, but grownup ‘children’ will love them too! Click on the titles to read more.

Fast growing vegetables and herbs to sow in spring

Sunday, 15 August 2021 12:14

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Okra Image by itlife from PixabayIf you have decided to start growing more edibles, for whatever reason, but want super-quick results, I have rounded up some of the fastest growing intermediate season vegetables for spring and early summer, which will produce impressive results in no time. Read all about growing them below.

August - the unpredictable gardening month!

Saturday, 07 August 2021 12:10

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Image by Pezibear from PixabayAugust is known as the “windy month” in South Africa, and throughout the country August is also said to be the most unpredictable. Read more below on how to get to most out of your garden in August.

Chives are so much more than just a garnish!

Wednesday, 28 July 2021 14:04

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Chives in bloom. Image by Hans Linde from PixabayGardeners know how easy chives are to grow in pots or garden beds and love to use them as border plants for their tasty, fresh green leaves, and delightful profusion of violet flowers in summer. This herbs high concentration of sulphur compounds and other essential oils are also partly responsible for its healing properties. Read more below on how to grow and use chives at home.

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Gardening in South Africa

Welcome to Gardening in South Africa!

MayFord Seeds and the Apollo Music Trust cordially invites you to a morning of gardening and music vignettes on Saturday 9 October from 10am at 41A Erslwold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg. Read more about this event below.

Mature Specimen - Brunfelsia pauciflora 'Eximia'

Lilly borer caterpillarsLilly borers are a serious pest of some of our favourite garden flowers like amaryllis and clivia, and if not controlled early, the caterpillars can quickly destroy the plants right down to the bulbs. Read more below on how to control lilly borers organically in the garden.

Image by Pezibear from PixabayAugust is known as the “windy month” in South Africa, and throughout the country August is also said to be the most unpredictable. Read more below on how to get to most out of your garden in August.