Arctotis bloom abundantly under harsh climatic conditions Tuesday, 07 July 2020 13:37
Arctotis - Picture courtesy Gunera - see flickr linkGarden centres around South Africa sell a beautiful selection of hybrid Arctotis in a lovely range of colours and growth habits, to brighten up any sunny space. They cope with a variety of harsh climatic conditions, are great water-wise coastal plants, and also do well inland. Learn how to grow and propagate Arctotis in your region.
It’s time to prune, plant and transplant Tuesday, 30 June 2020 14:39
Image courtesy freepik In most regions of South Africa July is traditionally known as the month when we prune, plant or transplant deciduous fruit trees, grape vines, roses and other deciduous plants. Many evergreens can also be moved at this time. Because the flow of plant sap is low in winter, pruning and transplanting at this time reduces the risk of infection, and the shock of transplanting.
Nandina looks gorgeous in all seasons with hardly any work Friday, 26 June 2020 15:31
Nandina has panicles of white flowers with showy yellow stamens
Nandinas are perfect for busy gardeners - find out how to grow them and how both the tall and dwarf varieties can enhance your garden, not only with their beautiful white flowers, red berries and fiery coloured winter foliage, but also with their ease of growth and low maintenance requirements.
Peaches & Nectarines are a real sweet treat! Tuesday, 23 June 2020 13:10
Peach blossoms - Image by jaqueline macou from PixabayLearn everything about growing peaches & nectarines: Pruning, watering, feeding and spraying, companion planting, common pests and diseases, their health benefits and a lot more. Twenty six varieties of peaches and nectarines are discussed, each with a ‘mouth-watering’ photograph.
Your regional gardening guide for June Friday, 05 June 2020 09:59
This article is a regional gardening guide which covers the most important things to do - and not to do - in your garden in June
So you say you don’t have space to plant fruit trees? Thursday, 28 May 2020 15:11
Picture courtesy Michael Coghlan - see his flickr pageThere are many innovative ways of shaping fruit trees to keep them smaller, and gardeners can even grow their own ‘fruit salad trees’ using simple grafting techniques, and if you learn the art of espalier you can utilise the perimeter walls around your property to grow fruit. This article will inspire you to take a fresh new look at your garden and the spaces available to you to grow your own fruit.
The bizarrely beautiful ‘Jewel of the Desert’ Tuesday, 19 May 2020 15:56
Daubenya 'Mixed' Picture courtesy HadecoFind out how to grow this little bulb so aptly called the “jewel of the desert”- one of the most showy of our indigenous species . In South Africa it is planted from March to May, to flower in winter and spring.
Guerrilla Gardening Monday, 11 May 2020 12:38
Guerrilla Gardening Book By Richard Reynolds. Picture courtesy Gordon Joly see his flickr pageAre you worried that our food supply chain will not hold up during these troubling times? If so, it’s time to seriously consider ‘guerrilla’ vegetable and fruit gardening. And, once lockdown is over, if you can get your whole community involved, it can also be most empowering. Food is security, so read on to find out more about this fascinating subject.
The humble turnip is reaching new culinary heights Tuesday, 21 April 2020 11:21
Image by Achim Thiemermann from PixabayLearn how to grow this easy cool season vegetable, discover its health benefits, and be inspired by innovative new ways of preparing it.
Proteas - the ancient shapeshifters Friday, 10 April 2020 14:28
Proteas thrive in many climatic regions of South Africa, and there are types suitable for gardens large and small, many of which are listed below, so read more to find out how to grow these ancient plants.
Proteas are synonymous with South Africa and are grown the world over for their unique beauty. It’s hard to pinpoint what draws people to these almost rugged looking plants with their unusual flowers.
Herbs to treat winter illnesses Monday, 06 April 2020 14:45
Many of the herbs growing in our gardens have wonderful antibacterial, antifungal and anti-oxidant properties.
If made into an herbal infusion (tea), and taken regularly, they can banish winter sicknesses like the common cold and flu.
Feed the birds during lockdown Monday, 30 March 2020 11:55
Lockdown can teach families the simple pleasures of life
With South Africa under strict lockdown for COVID-19 and our shopping malls and restaurants, as well as open spaces like parks and playgrounds strictly out of bounds, our country has become eerily quiet. Early in the mornings, instead of the steady drone of traffic on our roads, all that can be heard are the sounds of ‘mother nature’ and especially the lovely sound of bird song.
Improving air quality indoors during self-isolation for Covid-19 Wednesday, 25 March 2020 08:46
Tips for cleaning the home during self-isolation and improving air quality indoors with pot plants.
In order to stem the spread of Covid-19, several countries across the world are under lockdown, with people being forced to stay indoors, with only brief forays allowed outdoors for a little solitary exercise or some essential shopping.
There’s no better time than right NOW to grow-your-own Wednesday, 18 March 2020 15:56
Radishes Image by Couleur from PixabayHow to boost your immune system and the health benefits of growing these easy winter crops.
Covid-19, market mayhem and lockdowns….how fast our world has changed! And two things this disaster is teaching us are how interdependent we really are and how fragile our current system is.
