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The Gardener
Birds of a Feather
Why every garden needs a bird feeder
5 min |
March 2022
The Gardener
Easter Basket
Turn your garden bits into an upcycled basket just in time for the children to enjoy hunting for Easter eggs.
1 min |
April 2021
The Gardener
Masters Of Shade
There are not many plants that can turn shade into a fairy landscape of dainty flowers in a season when most others are over it. Plectranthus will do just this!
5 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
Local Treasures: Gazania
Although South Africa has many treasured indigenous flowers, only one actually goes by the common name of ‘treasure flower’, and that is our beloved gazania.
1 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
Working And Playing With Nature
In an era where small gardens are the norm and our footprint has an impact on the planet, there is a lot to think about when designing a garden. The topics at the top of the list are water scarcity, food security and destruction of habitats – all big deals if we want to exist in harmony with our world.
4 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
The Malaise Of FOPB!
Living remotely from others leads to a bigger reliance on remotes and their confusing buttons. It is terrifying if you suffer from FOPB…
5 min |
April 2021
The Gardener
Autumn Splendour
Fiery shades of red and orange make for a bold autumn display.
2 min |
April 2021
The Gardener
The Allure Of Lavender!
This herbaceous plant, a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, is so famous that its common name is even used to describe a colour. Most of us will associate the term lavender with a gentle shade of light purple that symbolises elegance, refinement, serenity, purity and luxury – the latter two probably due to the Latin word ‘lavare’, which means to bathe and to wash. One can just imagine how the conquering and decadent Romans bathed in bunches of lavender sprigs and flowers, draped their newly washed togas over the bushes to permeate them with the fresh smell, and stacked dried stems of leaves and flowers in dark corners to repel plague-infested fleas!
5 min |
April 2021
The Gardener
A Haze Of Purple
The evergreen ribbon bush, a compact shrub with dull-green leaves and abundant spikes of two-lipped deep purple flowers with darker purple spots, is a selection derived from Hypoestes aristata and was developed at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical garden. It carries the apt varietal name of ‘Purple Haze’ and is widely cultivated in gardens all over the country.
1 min |
April 2021
The Gardener
Growing Winter Veggies Successfully
Winter feels like a Cinderella season in the veggie garden, but it really isn’t. Did you know that there are almost as many winter veggies as there are summer ones?
5 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
Fern And Bromeliad Fever
Specialising in indigenous and non-indigenous ferns and epiphytic ferns such as staghorns and imported bromeliads.
3 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
Indigenous Medicinal Herbs For Winter Ailments
How to use medicinal herbs Most herbalists caution that herbs are not a silver bullet. Herbs help to support and strengthen the body’s own systems and ability to heal itself, restore balance and ultimately health. Using fresh or dried leaves in a tea or tincture is usually the safest way to administer herbs.
6 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
3 Superfood Trees
Plant the following fruiting trees in your garden or even in large containers in a sunny courtyard and you will have very healthy and tasty produce at hand.
2 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
On Top Of The World In Paradise
This gem of an indigenous garden is worthy of a visit, if you love wildlife or gardens.
4 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
Luminous bokbaais
If you are a fan of vygies and similar plants, you can have swathes of these flat-growing succulents in flower every season if you plant different species, both indigenous and exotic, which are available as both annuals and perennials.
1 min |
May 2021
The Gardener
Time For Wild Hyacinths!
We told you in January that planting bulbs would be a great trend in 2021, so March is a good time to kick off your annual bulb planting quest with the indigenous wild hyacinths, also called Cape hyacinth, Cape cowslip and, more botanically correct, Lachenalia. Between South Africa and Namibia there are more than 120 natural species (some of which are sold in flower by specialist nurseries), but there are also many desirable hybrids bred by commercial bulb growers that are readily available in bulb form from the end of February.
2 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
What To Do Now March
Aeoniums are commonly called tree houseleeks, which is an indication that they form substantial side stems topped with their typical fleshy rosettes. They are also described as subtropical plants, and so require more water and less arid growing conditions than other succulents.
1 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
Top 10 Roses
There are over 150 rose species and thousands of hybrids, so compiling a Top Ten is something of a challenge. Here we have chosen some of our favourites, which we feel are essential for any good rose garden.
4 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
Veggies Are At The Frontline Of Health
Eating healthily to keep healthy and maintain a good level of immunity is as much of a strategy in this time of Covid-19 as wearing masks, social distancing and sanitising.
5 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
The Gentle Giant Among His Roses
A lifetime love affair with roses has shaped this expansive farm garden.
5 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
How To Extend The Harvest Of Baby Marrows
By March baby marrows are usually at the end of their productive lives, with most leaves covered in powdery mildew. Pulling them out is almost an act of kindness.
2 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
SPECTACULAR GEM
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
2 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
Preserving cauliflower
If cauliflower was a stock to trade, some would have made millions in the last few years as the humble cauliflower became one of the most versatile cruciferous vegetables in the kitchen. With an increase in the popularity of flexitarian, vegan, gluten-free, keto and plant-based diets, cauliflower is no longer only baked into a cheesy casserole, but spiced and grilled as ‘steaks’ on a braai, mashed, riced, sauced, powdered, blended and made into pasta or a crispy pizza base. There are not many vegetables that can do all that!
1 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
Mushroom plant
Mushroom plant (Rungia klossii) is a bushy perennial with crisp, mushroom-flavoured leaves that are good for adding to salads or for cooking. Steam just before serving so that the leaves don’t lose their fresh green appearance.
1 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
A passion for roses
For five generations of gardeners, maybe more, Ludwig Taschner has been the friendly face of rose growing.
5 min |
March 2021
The Gardener
Gone And Lost!
I knew we were heading for a rough ride on the day that it was announced that the ordinary Sweetie Pie chocolate was going to be discontinued, and later when I heard about a proposed sugar tax!
4 min |
September 2020
The Gardener
The Gardens Of Stone Cottage
“We knew Bedford and its special magic, so it was our first port of call when we were looking for our new home. Stone Cottage sat on the edge of the village, overlooking the mountains, and with the best sunsets in Bedford.”
4 min |
September 2020
The Gardener
Offbeat Outdoor Spaces
Create an outdoor space that fits your garden and you.
3 min |
September 2020
The Gardener
The Sweet Taste Of Spring Herbs
The arrival of spring is always a cause for celebration. Goodbye brown, frosty gardens, cold mornings, and nippy evenings. Hullo, sunshine, long days, and the fragrance of herbs as gardens burst into life.
4 min |
September 2020
The Gardener
Bringing Back The HOYA
For many of us, hoyas are those plants our grandmothers had growing on the 'stoep; or in a pot that hung from the dining room celling in a macrame pot hanger
5 min |