May 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. These popular cut-flowers are available in bright and pastel shades of yellow, orange and white, with some selections like ‘Champagne Bubbles’ also including pink and scarlet-red blooms. Best of all - the more you pick them, the m ..read more

Spinach 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. Depending on where you are in the world, the term spinach refers to different species, and in South Africa ‘True Spinach’ (Spinacia oleracea) and ‘Swiss chard’ (Beta vulgaris) are both commonly called “spinach”. There is a difference though, spinach is a cool se ..read more

With 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. Kale is predominantly known for its light or dark green foliage but there are also varieties that produce leaves in shades of blue-green, purple-pink, or bi-colours, and with varying degrees of ‘frill’. The types also vary greatly in size, from dwarf kales that can be grow ..read more

In 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. How many varieties and colours of Bougainvillea are there? Bougainvillea blooms always come to mind when we think of the tropics, and today there are o ..read more

Late 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, impatiens 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. To plant two of these flowering hanging baskets you will need: 2 Large coir-lined ..read more

Chlorophytum 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. Is Chlorophytum saundersiae indigenous to South Africa? This little evergreen perennial is indigenous to South Africa, and occurs naturally in subtropical areas where frost is not common, like KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and parts o ..read more

Microgreens 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. What is the difference between microgreens and sprouts? Microgreens should not be confused with sprouts which are soaked and germinated in water, often in the dark, and for which the edible portion is constituted by the whole sprout, includin ..read more

Apples 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. Description, History and Interesting Facts About Apples Apples are members of the Rose family (Rosaceae), and the apples we know today are varieties of the species Malus domestica, which is descended ..read more

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. Description, history and interesting facts about Devils Ivy Epipremnum aureum originates from the forests ..read more

Two types of plants are recommended for a firescaped garden: ‘fire retardant’ and ‘fire resistant’. These, together with a planting method which is designed to slow down a fire, and most importantly to create a safe zone around your home, will go a long way in protecting your home and family. It’s really quite simple! Read more below. If you have not read my introduction to firescaping a garden, click here to read this free article first.  If you don't have space for a large wind or firebreak of trees or hedging plants, a belt of suitable, evergreen, low-growing vegetation will offer pro ..read more