In highveld areas the frost season runs from the end of May to the end of September, although with climate change one never knows what to expect. Frost cloth is necessary to protect tender leafy vegetables, especially lettuce, shrubs and small trees or saplings. Keep an eye on the weather apps to check for very cold weather and protect when warned. Tips for using frost cloth When laying frost cloth make sure that it doesn’t touch the plants otherwise the plants will burn where it touches. Lift the frost cloth each morning.  Leaving it on the beds deprives the plants of sunlight and air. T ..read more

Don’t let the cold weather freeze your gardening. Embrace the cold season with confidence, knowing your outdoor space is cared for even during the frostiest days. As the nights draw in and the temperatures start to drop, it’s time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for Winter. From cutting back plants to collecting leaves, Gardena has all the tips and tools you need to prepare for the coming season. Make the cut As winter approaches, it’s important to cut back plants and tidy up your garden. A variety of tools, such as the Garden Secateurs and the Tree and Pruning Lopper can mak ..read more

Those who have visited Namaqualand in spring will tell you that it’s not only about the orange, yellow and white daisies. Mixed in with them are other indigenous spring flowers such as nemesia, diascia, Arctotis, Cape daisies (osteospermum) mesembryanthemums and Felicia (kingfisher daisies). For gardeners wanting to capture a little bit of the magic, Kirchhoffs Namaqualand Flower Scatterings contains a mix of these indigenous flowers that bloom at different times so there is always an abundance of colour through winter into spring. Purple vygies with African daisies, gazanias and aloes. It is ..read more

Did you know that plants can have an effect on you? Those with bright flowers or vibrant foliage are energising, while softer colours and round leaves are calming. Green has always been a harmonious colour so plenty of green is always a good idea. If you are working at a computer, its necessary to take a break at least every 30 minutes. Keep plants with interesting textures and pattens nearby to rest your eyes on and you will be drawn into contemplating their amazing colours and textures. A good exercise in mindfulness. In the Netherlands, where indoor plants are hugely popular, they now refer ..read more

It is really difficult to garden on steep slopes but creating  a terrace with loffel stones opens up the possibility of creating a vertical garden feature, quite literally a beautiful flowering wall. Loffel stones are precast concrete rings that interlock, each with a cavity that can be filled with soil. Although the cavities are not very deep, they contain enough soil for shallow rooted plants to grow in. Getting started Being quite shallow the soil tends to dry out fast, so a good starting point for an existing wall is to fill each hollow with good soil that consists of one part compost ..read more

Climate change and busy lifestyles have shifted the focus onto garden plants that are low on maintenance and are strong growers even in relatively poor conditions. In medium to large gardens there’s always a need for shrubs or climbers to fill a space, usually towards the back of the garden or to soften a wall or fence. With that in mind, rose grower Ludwig Taschner has sought out shrub roses with ultra-vigorous growth, tough leathery leaves, strong spreading roots, and pickable blooms.  He has also factored in disease resistance for low maintenance. The two types of shrub roses are the u ..read more

Herbs have always been used to flavour food, not just in cooking but as tasty and appealing toppings or garnishes. Herb leaves, whether chopped or used whole, add a burst of flavour, colour and texture to savoury and sweet dishes as well as drinks. The art of garnishing is quite simple and, as the word art implies, also creative if your aim is to produce a masterpiece on a plate. Edible flowers like nasturtiums, pansies and violas, borage, and lavender can be used to decorate desserts, cakes and other baked goods as well as cocktails, fruity drinks, and the ever popular gin and tonic. Some tip ..read more

As South Africans we have a lot to be anxious about, and the reasons are all too obvious. A home environment that is calming, healthy and nurturing won’t solve the bigger problems but could help us become a little more resilient. Nature is a great nurturer and plants, especially indoor plants, have the ability  to calm us down, lift our spirits and clean the air. Bring plants into the home and you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes. The power of green It has now been established that a colour can influence human emotions and our feeling of well-being. What happens is that sustaine ..read more

Autumn is like a second spring, but with flowers and leaves in deeper, richer colours.  Bright yellow flowers form part of autumn’s primary colours. They are great for adding pops of colour to lighten or brighten parts of the garden. They catch your eye, and enhance other colours like purple, red and orange. Make a splash Don’t be shy to make a bold planting of vibrant golden yellow flowers like Coreopsis Uptick ‘Gold and Bronze’ (pictured). It has a far greater impact than spreading the plants thinly through the garden. Just be aware that yellow, especially warm yellows (with red underto ..read more

For salad lovers, there is nothing nicer than a crisp, fresh salad even in winter and lettuce is the ideal salad base, to which you can add herb leaves, edible flowers and other salad veggies of your choice. Lettuce contains minerals and vitamins A and C and the greener the leaves the more carotene they contain, which is an antioxidant that protects the body from damaging free radicals. Starting from seed Lettuce grows easily from seed. It is best to use seedling trays because the seed is very fine and easy to waste if sown in situ. Do not allow the soil to dry out during germination. Once the ..read more