We need water to survive, and that’s why it’s so important to save this precious resource. If you have children, the best thing that you can do to save the environment is to teach them how to save water. Not sure where to start? No worries! All you need to do is make sure they […]
Water Wise
3 Colourful Kalanchoes
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, less commonly known as the widow’s thrill, is often described as a flamboyant and colourful succulent that blooms profusely when the days are short and the nights are long – which means winter! Flower colours include white, cream, pink, yellow, orange and red. We are also privileged to enjoy the ‘Calandiva’ series, which […]
5 Crassulas For Your Water-Wise Garden
Crassulas are an incredibly large and diverse genus of succulent plants with many species, subspecies, varieties and forms hailing from across South Africa. Some are so interesting and pretty that it’s easy to fall into the trap of collecting as many of them as you can! Crassula capitella ’Campfire’ ‘Campfire’ is a truly magnificent rockery […]
Air Plants
In the October issue we discussed the Tillandsia genus – what it consists of, where the plants are from and how they grow, dispelling a few misconceptions in the process. In this article we get more specific, introducing particular species and hybrids that are brilliant for the home gardener. The well-known Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), […]
Ways to be Water-wise
3 Ways to be Water-wise 1. Build the humus content of your soil. Humus is the dark organic stuff that forms in the soil when plant and animal matter decays. It can hold many times its own weight in water, so increases the water-carrying capacity of soils, particularly sandy ones. It also prevents nutrients from […]
Every drop counts
Every drop counts In our semi-arid country every drop of water counts, and not just in times of drought. There are so many things that you can do in your garden to use water more responsibly Gauging that rain A simple rain gauge can save you from unnecessarily watering your garden, and it’s very cheap […]
Thyme for All Seasons
Thyme for All Seasons Although its growing season is in the warmer months, thyme is the perfect choice for the winter herb garden. Not only is it very frost hardy but it also copes with dry conditions, and the low-growing varieties can give you a groundcover that stays green even in the coldest months. It’s […]
Winter Rosemary
Winter Ways with Rosemary Frost-hardy rosemary is a boon in winter: it makes the perfect protective, edible hedge, infuses a steamy bath with its invigorating essential oils, helps take away winter blues, and is an essential ingredient of the most succulent, winter-warming roasts. We often take rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) for granted. Once it is in the […]
Grey Water
Grey Water Growing veggies with grey water Grey water is waste water collected from the shower, bath, hand basin and washing machine. It can be collected in buckets, or directed from the bath or washing machine onto the garden (laundry to landscape) to be collected in a tank and pumped into the garden. How suitable […]
Save water with green cubes
Do you want to conserve water and grow healthy plants? BERA® Urbanscape Green Cubes are your solution. This non-toxic and environmentally friendly soil enhancement product encourages better growth and can reduce watering by as much as 50%. And it’s so easy to use! Let us show you how with this step-by-step guide: Step 1: […]