
Autumn To Do List
To do list as autumn approaches Put in the work in Autumns and reap the benefits in Spring! Anyone who has tried their hand at gardening knows that, much like raising children, raising plants is a never ending process. Just when you think you’ve got it, the season changes. We decided to come up with a basic list of pre-autumn garden tasks that will make it easier for...Read More
Gardening for Changing Weather Conditions
Gardening for Changing Weather Conditions Use long term weather forecasts to plan you garden for the next couple of years The seasons are changing The world is coming out of a three year El Niño cycle. This is a weather pattern, which affects ocean temperatures in such a way that normal seasonal weather patterns are completely disrupted. The opposite of what...Read More
Attracting Birds to Your Garden.
Attracting Birds to Your Garden. Become a backyard birder. You know how much we at Homemakers love Mzansi – The people, the weather, the culture, the Bokke…But wait, there’s more! We are also blessed with more wildlife than most countries and our birdlife in particular is diverse and worth a bit of celebration. Birdscaping is the new landscaping Butterflies...Read More
Fix Plant Problems
Become a plant whisperer. Fix your plant problems before they become permanent. It’s not easy to keep track of what your plants need. Luckily, they will usually let you know. These are the signs your plants are in trouble. Five signs your plants are giving you that they need some TLC’ 1. Wilting leaves This one seems straightforward. Like that old, wilted head of...Read More
Garden For a Cause
Garden Day Celebrations Plant for the sake of your neighbours Nurture your garden to nourish others Celebrate your garden on the 20th of October. South Africa’s National Garden Day is about being one with the growing world. While many of the events planned for this day focus on the joy that a beautiful garden holds for you the owner and gardener, there are also a few...Read More
Landscape With Gravel
Nothing is set in stone (but it could be). Gardening for changing seasons is a tricky thing. Its hard to plan your landscaping and planting calendar around the whims of the weather and just as you think the last frost is over or the rain will come any day now, mother nature throws you a “snow in October” kind of curveball and you have to start your landscaping...Read More
Garden Like Your Granny.
What is a heirloom seed, and why do they matter? What does “heirloom seed” mean and why should you care? The classification of “heirloom” is used to identify seeds and plant cultivars that do not form part of modern large scale agricultural production of fresh produce. According to Annie’s Heirloom Seeds, “Heirlooms are seed varieties that are at least 50...Read More
Can I Cut Down That Tree?
When is it ok to cut down a tree? “The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.” We all know about the magic and majesty of trees. Even kids can tell you they provide us with fresh oxygen, food, shade and serenity. We need to protect trees, cherish them and ensure that they stand tall to serve future generation. At Homemakers...Read More
Lawn Care Made Simple
Get rid of the bumps and patches of your winter lawn Spring is here, and even though it feels like the winter never happened, our lawns might be telling a different story. Storytime: I am easily bored. When I was six, I met a friend of my father who worked at a cement factory. I asked, politely, what he did for a living, and as he started to explain his job at the...Read More