Close Encounters of the Botanical Kind
Invasive alien species are a big problem in our country – more than you’d think and we need to do something about it urgently. The most well-known example of this is probably the chaos that the Water Hyacinth is wreaking on the Hartebeespoort Dam. Some may even surprise you, as many have been a large and common part of all of our lives. To avoid the next ecological disaster...Read More
Winter Gardening Advice
Preparation for the winter garden starts in autumn. With a month to go, now is the time to get busy in the garden and prepare for the winter months. This preparation will eventually give you a good foundation for spring gardening as well. Winter gardening is a fun way to stay active and keep your garden looking good throughout the year. Protect what you Have Protecting delicate...Read More
The Compost Kitchen
Collecting food waste from homes on a bicycle to feed earthworms and make compost (vermicomposting) may not seem like the most glamourous way to spend your time. However, this seemingly simple waste management solution by The Compost Kitchen has garnered the attention of the United Nations while bringing South Africans together to protect vital resources, water and soil. We spoke to...Read More
Mystery, Intrigue and Adventure: Creating Spaces in Large Gardens
In a previous article we provided some guidelines on making the most of a small garden, so this time around we thought that we would discuss how to get the best out of a large garden. We’ll be looking at the average residential garden size for larger gardens of 3000 square meters and up. Retaining Interest The name of the game in gardens, in general, is creating interest....Read More
Exquisite Lawn Alternatives
Large, sweeping seas of lawn is something many South Africans absolutely adore. Seeing your children and/or pets frolicking on that jade green carpet can only bring a smile to your face. Unfortunately, lawn is hungry, thirsty, expensive, maintenance intensive, prone to have pests or diseases and is not very eco-friendly. That’s why we are going to be talking about a few ideas for lawn...Read More
A Perfect Small Garden
I have a particular love for gardens on the smaller side. There’s something about the atmosphere you can create in these spaces, if I had to put it into words, somewhere between lush and cosy. But on that same note, you don’t want to feel trapped and claustrophobic either. If you happen to be someone with a small garden, here are a few tips to make it seem bigger. One of the easiest ways...Read More
Best of Summer Gardens
Summer gardens are what we long for in winter. With summer in full swing, we share a few favourite elements that have proven to make the best summer gardens. Bright flowers, green grass, pool water splashing and the smell of something delicious cooking on the braai is what really makes our summers special. Pergolas and Patios Your patio is an extension of your home and should be as...Read More
Grow Grass in the Shade
According to the experts, you can grow a gorgeous lawn in the shade, as long as you pick the right grass and take care of it. Most garden-appropriate grass needs at least four hours of direct sunlight to survive, but shade-tolerant grass can thrive in four hours of dappled sun or partial shade. This is an important fact to keep in mind when you plant and grow grass in the shade. The...Read More
Eden: Your Guide to Indoor Plants
Indoor plants have been all the rage for the last few years, and we, quite frankly, don’t understand why they’ve not always been the rage. We are of the opinion that every home and office should have at least a few indoor plants. Green Benefits These plants have the magical ability to make almost every space more inviting. Having something organic and ‘’living’ in the room makes it...Read More