This particular bacterium, or disease, is one of the good guys, keeping fungal outbreaks under control. It’s easy to see things happening in the spring garden: shoots peak out of the soil, leaves unfoil, buds burst open and everything grows seemingly overnight. But...
Did you know? A maize plant sets its maximum yield potential within the first seven days of planting. Likewise, in gardening the first seven days of an annual’s growth are regarded as critical growth periods. Across the globe, increased attention and interest is being...
The link between soil health, carbon and healthy plants We’ve always stressed how important soil health is to plant health, but our friends at Madumbi are the experts so we asked them to give us a more in-depth understanding of carbon. Fact: The nutrient content of a...
The science of soil By understanding how soil works, we can see the benefits of understanding that soil is an ecosystem that needs as much attention as the plants planted in it. Think of soil as the ocean. You can’t see much on the surface, but once you go below, as...
A potato farmer from Harrismith is changing the way we look at soil. Potatoes – just add butter and you have the perfect side dish, whether they are boiled, mashed or fried. We all eat potatoes, and in most households no meal is complete without this starchy tuberous...
If traditional flower beds and large gardens don’t match the amount of time and space you have, don’t rule out gardening all together. Container gardens blend the traditional and the modern, solving a number of typical garden problems: If garden space is at a premium...
Valentine’s Day is a florist’s favourite holiday but most of the time these one-day-gifts are forgotten about a week later. Sad wilting flowers definitely do not say eternal love - keep them alive with these tips for fresh Valentine’s Day Flowers. Cut Flowers: The...
There are always those gardening tasks we cannot get away from. A little bit of work will be greatly rewarded when the family pops around for the festive season. Prune rambling roses, feed, water well and add a layer of mulch. Stake dahlias as they grow and keep...
Gardening in shady areas can be tricky. Bedding begonias, available in seedling trays, fill that gap beautifully as each plant produces masses of waxy flowers to brighten the darkest of corners. It’s also planting time for gaudy tuberous begonias, which are perfect...
Thinking of hanging baskets, it only conjures up images of lush planted colour, suspended from filigree brackets, faded red terracotta tiles as mountains form the backdrop. Yes, Europe! We have all seen these pictures and some of us have been privileged to visit these...
You should all know by now that I just love succulents! Their diversity is incredible, and with so many to choose from, they make the perfect collectable. They are tough and require very little attention. The most important thing is enough sun and not to over water....
Gardening happiness can take on many forms, but the purest joy is to see new roots on cuttings or fresh growth sprouting from divided perennials - and then to share your bounty with somebody else in the spirit of ‘gardening ubuntu.’ I’ve noticed, when visiting small...
When I think of summer flowering bulbs, it conjures up images of frilled petalled flowers, demanding to be seen. From bright colours to delicate hues, blushing among the green leaves. Bulbs have been romanticised over the centuries and as the meaning of the word...
To garden… Geoff Hamilton wrote, “There is nothing like a garden for making you feel small. There you are, right in the middle of the greatest miracle of all - the world of growing things”. Some of you might think that you cannot grow nearly all that you would like to...
Vertical gardens have certainly come a long way in the last couple of years. Few realise that the concept of vertical gardens have been with us for centuries. Climbing roses on trellis work, romanticising the idea of creating a covered wall in a secluded spot. Fairy...
Pansies must be the friendliest flowers. With their bright faces, lifting any dull corner and adding months of joy to your hanging basket. These little plants come in a variety of colours, suiting many a gardeners’ situations. Take care of your little ones To get the...
All living things need water but some need less than others. Thank goodness for that. If you live in a low rainfall area, here is your answer to a beautiful garden. Playing with drought tolerant plants and succulents has never been more fun! The biggest part of this...
Bursting with promise Bulbs have long been an invaluable asset to humankind, starting off as an essential part of our diet, as we have evolved, so has our appreciation for their many qualities. Often the word bulb is used rather loosely, generally as a reference to...