What to do in your garden in June Thursday, 06 June 2024 12:50
Camellia Image by Christiane from PixabayOne of my most popular sections on this website is my regional “Gardening Month by Month” guide, where you will find the most important gardening tasks to do for each month. And if you are an avid gardener you know that June can be quite a busy month in the garden. These articles have evolved over many years and have become far too long to include them in their entirety here, so I have included some of the most important gardening tasks for June below.
Herbs can do wonders for dogs and cats Friday, 31 May 2024 11:12
Image by Alexa from PixabayGreens, and especially herbs are not just healthy for us humans but also for our furry friends, as they contain many valuable vitamins, minerals and secondary plant substances to boost our immune system and general wellbeing. Learn about pet-friendly herbs to plant in your garden, what they are good for treating, and practical ways to use them to enhance the health of your pets.
Plant Ranunculus for effortless winter and spring colour Wednesday, 15 May 2024 17:13
Ranunculus 'Pink' Image by Ralph from PixabayNothing rivals Ranunculus for their abundance of flowers when there is little other colour in the winter and spring garden. In South Africa you can plant from April to late May, and to extend the flowering season, staggered plantings can extend to mid-June. Learn how to plant and grow these beauties with other annuals in garden beds and pots, and how to make them last longer in a vase.
Great Companions for Iceland Poppies Tuesday, 23 April 2024 15:40
Iceland Poppy Image by Couleur from PixabayMay is the perfect time to plant Iceland Poppy seedlings in South Africa, and these easy to grow old-time favourites will brighten up even the coldest winter day. They combine beautifully with most winter flowering annuals and make a fantastic backdrop for spring flowering bulbs. Learn which colours and companion plants will show off your Iceland Poppies the best.
Spinach varieties to grow as microgreens, baby leaf, or mature crops Wednesday, 17 April 2024 11:01
Spinach grows well in window boxes. Picture courtesy looli from flickrSpinach is a rewarding cool season crop that can be grown in spaces large or small to provide healthy organic greens all season long. South African gardeners have a good selection to choose from, including those that are slower to bolt in warm weather. Learn more about these spinach varieties and the various methods of growing them.
Kale Varieties for South African Gardens Sunday, 07 April 2024 18:58
Kale varieties Picture courtesy naturalflow from flickrWith the growing popularity of kale, many different heirloom and hybrid varieties have become available to home gardeners in South Africa, and with so many different types to choose from, you may be wondering which are best for you. Learn about the different kales to decide which ones will best suit your garden and taste.
How to Create a Colour Palette with the Brilliant Hues of Bougainvilleas Sunday, 24 March 2024 16:52
Bougainvillea grows beautifully in a pot. Pictrure by smilla4 from flickrIn this article you will learn exciting ways to combine the various shades, tints and tones of bougainvilleas to create a stunning effect in the landscape. Learn how to grow and care for bougainvilleas and how to select the best companion plants so they are able to flourish together. Even if you dream of a tropical looking garden but wish to use cooler shades like white or pale pink, there is a bougainvillea variety that will suit your needs.
Summer Flowering Hanging Basket Recipe for Semi Shade Thursday, 07 March 2024 13:52
Summer Hanging Basket - Fuchsia, Impatience, LobeliaLate summer and autumn are the most popular times to garden in our subtropical regions, and you can plant these hanging baskets now. However, if you live in cold and frosty regions, you will need to save this recipe and plant in spring. You can also change up the colours if you prefer, impatience come in a huge range of colours and lobelia ranges from white to shades of pink, blue and purple, but because of the softer colours of the fuchsias, this colour combination works very well. Find the recipe below.
Chlorophytum saundersiae has won the hearts of gardeners worldwide Wednesday, 06 March 2024 10:34
Chlorophytum saundersiae 'Starlight' Picture courtesy Leafs NurseryChlorophytum saundersiae is a popular garden plant because it is hardy, grows in sun or shade, and also in dry or wet beds. Its pleasing grass-like appearance lends itself to any garden style and colour scheme, and it blends in effortlessly with other garden plants. Learn how cultivate healthy specimens, and ways to use them in the landscape for the greatest impact.
The ABC of Growing Healthy Microgreens at Home Friday, 01 March 2024 12:48
Flat of Microgreens. Picture courtesy Oregon State University on flickrMicrogreens are so simple to grow, indoors or outdoors, and best of all they take up a minimal amount of space and cost a fraction of the price of store bought ones. Below you will learn about the health benefits of microgreens, what supplies you need to get started, popular varieties, and how to sow, grow and harvest them to ensure a continual harvest.
You can grow apples at home, even in a small garden Wednesday, 14 February 2024 16:01
Apple Dwarf 'Royal Gala' Picture courtesy www.justberryplants.co.zaApples are popular for their great taste and nutritional value, and are grown worldwide because they are the most versatile of fruit trees, with a wide range of cultivars. Apples can be grown in large pots and new dwarf hybrids are compact growers, suitable for small gardens. Read more below to find interesting facts about apples and everything you need to know to grow them successfully at home.
Staghorn Ferns will add a whole new dimension to the garden Monday, 22 January 2024 12:16
Common Staghorn FernStaghorn ferns add an eerily beautiful, almost primeval look to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Small plants are often sold growing in pots, but mounting them onto beautiful pieces of driftwood, slabs of bark, wood or cork, is the best method of growing them. Read more below about the various species, and everything you need to know to grow magnificent specimens at home.
Why you should only grow Devils Ivy as an indoor pot plant Wednesday, 10 January 2024 14:04
Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'Epipremnum aureum remains a popular houseplant because it’s beautiful and incredibly easy to grow, and the reason it was given the name "Devil's Ivy" is because it’s considered impossible to kill! In subtropical and tropical gardens outside its natural range this plant has naturalised itself and has been classified as invasive in many countries. For this reason its best to keep it confined in pots indoors or on the patio. Read more below about Devils Ivy, and how to care for it indoors.
Birds Nest Ferns will add the sense of a tropical rainforest to your living spaces Thursday, 14 December 2023 12:34
Image by hartonosubagio from PixabayDespite their exotic appearance birds nest ferns are surprisingly easy to care for. And if you understand their needs, even beginner gardeners can grow them. Read more below about what it needs to thrive and grow, including light, soil, water, temperature, humidity, fertilising, mounting, propagation, repotting, and other interesting facts.