Sweet broccoli matures during cool weather Friday, 13 April 2018 14:59 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
Love it or hate it, broccoli still holds its own in the vegetable kingdom, ranking as the world's fifth most popular vegetable. President Barack Obama certainly would agree, and at a state dinner at the White House he once stated that broccoli was his favourite vegetable!
Sow African daisy seed for hassle-free colour Wednesday, 28 March 2018 12:45 Written by Super User
African Daisy. Picture courtesy Scott ParrishThese indigenous flowers carpet the bare veldt of the south-western and north-western Cape and Namaqualand in spring, and the flowers are so prolific that the leaves are almost invisible when the blooms appear.
Flamingo flowers are air purifiers Monday, 26 March 2018 12:41 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
In spite of its exotic appearance the flamingo flower is surprisingly low maintenance, and as long as you understand its needs, it’s not hard to care for . A well-cared for plant will reward you with wonderful, long lasting flowers for many years. Just one plant can give a room a more tropical feel, so naturally, homeowners are adding this tropical plant to their outdoor rooms as well. .
Tatsoi grows rapidly & can be harvested early Wednesday, 21 March 2018 07:50 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
If you’re a fan of pre-washed, pre-packaged mixed baby greens, chances are you have come across tatsoi, and in many stores you can also buy whole plants. This beautiful looking Asian green will certainly grab your attention with its thick, lustrous green leaves which are spoon-shaped and arranged in a beautiful rosette of regular, concentric circles, and once you have sampled its soft creamy texture and subtle yet distinctive mild mustard flavour, you will certainly be hooked on this little plant.
Colour your garden warm this winter & spring. Thursday, 08 March 2018 13:45 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
Dianthus Bouquet Purple. Picture courtesy Ball Horticultural CompanyDoes your summer flower garden start to fizzle out as soon as the cooler weather arrives? If so, you need a new plan to keep your beds blooming, and one which doesn’t cost a fortune either!
Cosmos is a lovely non-toxic flower Thursday, 22 February 2018 12:40 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
Cosmos 'Antiquity' Picture courtesy Ball StraathofModern cosmos hybrids are compact, easy-to-grow and very free-flowering. They last well in a vase, and the more you pick them, the more they will bloom, attracting butterflies, bees and other beneficial insect pollinators to the garden.
Intermediate to cool season vegetable crops Monday, 19 February 2018 10:11 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
Broad Beans with white Primulas in frontTraditionally mid to late summer is the time to sow vegetable crops that enjoy growing in the intermediate to cool seasons. Want to save money on the family budget this year? Vegetable prices are very high right now, so why not try growing your own - it's really easy and nothing beats the flavour of home grown veggies.
This birdfeeder is worth its weight in gold. Monday, 19 February 2018 08:59 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
People love attracting birds to their gardens because they bring life, movement, bird song, and hours of joy. Here the Red Bishops and the little Cape Sparrows vie for space, but somehow they all manage to get their share.
Hanging Baskets Friday, 02 February 2018 16:14 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
Summer hanging basket for semi-shade.Have you ever admired a lush hanging basket bursting with blooms but simply thought it a bit overpriced? Well, not really, a well-designed hanging basket in full bloom has probably taken months of care to get it to a sellable size, and this is labour intensive too, so if you can afford one of these ’ready to go’ beauties, spoil yourself, you’re worth it!
Million Bells Thursday, 25 January 2018 14:53 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
Cabaret Cherry Rose Calibrachoa. Picture courtesy Ball Horticultural CompanyMillion Bells is rather like a miniature petunia on steroids! They are short lived perennials which are often planted as summer annuals in South Africa - growing and flowering at an amazing rate! They bloom abundantly all spring and summer, until the first frosts, and in warm frost-free regions can flower all year round.
Gardenia is delighfully scented Tuesday, 23 January 2018 10:26 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
Gardenia augustaThere are many cultivars of Gardenia augusta, including groundcover, dwarf and medium-sized varieties, so there’s a gardenia for every size garden. All the cultivars also grow beautifully in containers, so even if you only have a small patio or balcony garden, you can plant a Gardenia.
Chillies are not only good to eat! Sunday, 14 January 2018 11:40 Written by Darlene Roelofsen
Chillies are stunning in a simple wooden container. Chillies make great gifts for all occasions, gifts you can easily make at home and which don’t cost the earth either! To make them special requires only a little flair of your own, so let your imagination run wild and use whatever items you have around the house that can be re-cycled.
