Latest Posts

Summer Veggie Harvest

January 30, 2025 3:02 pm Published by

Read in Afrikaans Get to grips with your summer veggie harvest and learns ways to preserve and store for maximum…

Botanical Infusions

January 30, 2025 2:40 pm Published by

Herb syrups, spiced vinegars, flavoured oils and even flavoured vodka – summer’s the perfect time to experiment with botanical infusions…

Chamomile

September 1, 2024 2:26 pm Published by

A herb that has it all – easy to grow, several health benefits and with its daisy flowers, pretty in…

Winter Leafy Veg

May 20, 2024 2:29 pm Published by

Full of flavour, easy to grow and good for you – let us sow some green, winter leafy veg! While…

Parsley

May 19, 2024 3:19 pm Published by

This herb is not only a very healthy, all-purpose garnish, it is an excellent companion plant. Sowing parsley from seed…

Spicy Edible Plants

March 21, 2024 11:12 am Published by

There’s always been a connection between hot countries and spicy food. The common assumption is that foods that make us…

5-Minute Fruit Picker

January 24, 2024 10:30 am Published by

This really easy DIY will have you picking ripe fruit from the higher reaches of the trees in no time.…

DIY Cucumber Trellis

January 24, 2024 9:23 am Published by

Grow your own cucumbers up an A-frame trellis with this really easy DIY for the food garden. You will need:…

Growing Granadillas

October 25, 2023 2:51 pm Published by

If you’re a fan of both sweet and sour flavours, you should be growing granadillas in your garden. Also known…

Sowing Vegetable Seeds

October 25, 2023 8:18 am Published by

There are many reasons to consider sowing seeds in your vegetable garden. The first and most obvious reason is budget.…

herbal soaps

Herb Infused Soaps

October 5, 2023 9:02 pm Published by

Wash away the dust of the day with these homemade herbal soaps Making herbal soaps to use yourself or to…

All About Bees

October 4, 2023 1:01 pm Published by

Honeybees add so much more to our lives than honey… We love bees. We love the sound they make in…

Recipes with Nasturtiums

October 3, 2023 2:08 pm Published by

They may look sweet, but nasturtiums have a surprisingly peppery taste, similar to mustard or watercress. This makes them great…

Perennial Veggies

September 19, 2023 3:50 pm Published by

The benefits of perennial vegetables are many, and there are very few drawbacks. Our local organic gardening guru, Dale Grobler,…

Window Box Veggie Gardening

August 22, 2023 9:14 am Published by

The idea of window box farming sounds delightfully quixotic and impractical. Actually, it’s an invitation to those who look longingly…

Spring Basket

August 21, 2023 1:20 pm Published by

Take a look at some useful goodies that can help you in your veggie garden this spring. Bright and Vibrant…

Warm and Spicy Galangal

August 21, 2023 10:09 am Published by

Closely related to ginger and turmeric, galangal is the up-and-coming spice you need to know about. If you’ve watched one…

Growing Strawberries

July 25, 2023 12:19 pm Published by

Dale Grobler grows his own strawberries that taste out of this world. Here’s how he does it. Strawberries are one…

Sprouted Chia seeds in a terracotta dish

Sprout Your Chia Seeds

July 24, 2023 10:30 am Published by

The traditional way of sprouting doesn’t work well for chia seeds. Here’s an easy alternative way to get them sprouting.…

Tom Kha Gai

July 10, 2023 9:57 am Published by

This spicy, creamy coconut-based soup is a popular Thai dish packed with flavour and easy to make. The words translate…

Growing Oranges

July 5, 2023 1:09 pm Published by

Common name: Orange, sweet orange, bitter orange, Seville orange Botanical name: Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Citrus aurantium (bitter orange or…

Edible Flowers

Edible Flowers

March 2, 2023 8:18 am Published by

Although we treasure garden flowers as eye candy and not as food, there are many that are edible. They’re also…

Lemongrass

Lemongrass

January 26, 2023 11:04 am Published by

The zestiest of grasses Lemongrass is widely used in Asian cuisine,and it offers more than just lemony flavour. Although, clump-forming…

Detox in a Pot

Detox in a Pot

January 23, 2023 11:11 am Published by

We can thank the plant world for providing a cornucopia of herbs that deliver not only essential vitamins and minerals,…

Lemon Balm

December 13, 2022 4:45 pm Published by

The light lemon fragrance and flavour of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) makes this an appealing summer herb. While its flavour…

Sizzling horseradish

December 13, 2022 2:41 pm Published by

Your mental image of horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is probably that strange jar containing a mysterious white substance that lived at…

homemade hash browns

Homemade Hash Browns

November 23, 2022 3:37 pm Published by

A fondness for pre-made hash browns, fried until crispy and served with bacon, poached egg and lemony hollandaise sauce, prompted…

groundcover herbs

Groundcover Herbs

November 23, 2022 3:22 pm Published by

Don’t overlook groundcover herbs for plant health and fragrance. Do groundcover herbs have a role to play in the food…

Pawpaw

November 23, 2022 9:49 am Published by

Not only are they decorative, but if you are faster than the local wildlife then they will also provide an…

Edible Hedge Options

November 23, 2022 9:29 am Published by

Hedges can be more than mere barriers. Creating edible hedges can also help to feed and heal you. Hedges are…

Olla Irrigation

November 22, 2022 3:46 pm Published by

Keep your plants hydrated this summer with this 10-minute DIY! We saw this olla irrigation idea on Pinterest and loved…

pumpkin bread

Pumpkin Bread

November 22, 2022 3:16 pm Published by

An Irish myth about a stingy person called Jack who ended up as a wandering soul started the craze of…

sugar snap peas

Sugar-Snap Peas

October 28, 2022 2:44 pm Published by

Sugar-snap peas are the ultimate garden fast food. There are few things more delicious than sugar-snap peas fresh from the…

Pasta Primavera

October 28, 2022 2:10 pm Published by

Pasta primavera is a celebration of everything that is light and fresh about spring. Pasta primavera is an ‘Italian’ dish…

mediterranean garden

The Flavours of the Med

October 28, 2022 11:48 am Published by

Jam-packed with flavour, a Mediterranean garden virtually looks after itself. Mediterranean flavours are ones we all love – tomatoes, herbs…

Slug Partol

Spring Checklist

October 28, 2022 11:08 am Published by

Follow our Spring Checklist and try these tips for your edible spring garden to make the most out of the…

seeds and seedlings

Seeds or Seedlings

May 13, 2022 4:10 pm Published by

Both have their attractions, but which will work best for you, seeds or seedlings? So you’ve got your garden laid…

radish ideas

Radish Ideas

May 12, 2022 10:55 am Published by

Radishes are one of those fast-growing crops in the garden that can also be sown throughout the year, so with…

hummus recipes

5 Hummus Recipes

April 13, 2022 3:38 pm Published by

While the versatile chickpea is the main traditional ingredient of hummus recipes, we have taken liberties and expanded the thinking…

cherry tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes

April 11, 2022 2:50 pm Published by

Sweet and small, but big on flavour. Cherry tomatoes! The name says it all: they’re small and super-sweet, bite-sized like…

herb harvest

April Herb Harvest

April 7, 2022 5:05 pm Published by

April and May are traditionally the months to harvest and preserve herbs. While many of the bushy perennial herbs will…

plant a soup garden

Plant a Soup Garden

April 7, 2022 4:41 pm Published by

Soup is winter’s best treat, and whether you like your soup thick and chunky, consommé or as a tangy Asian…

lavender

The Allure of Lavender

April 7, 2022 3:13 pm Published by

Lavender’s strong fragrance has bewitched and beguiled folk for over 2500 years. According to lore and legend, even Cleopatra of…

Top 10 Plant Friends

March 29, 2022 1:49 pm Published by

Some plants grow well together and some don’t. In the vegetable garden you can get the best out of a…

Buckets of Charm

March 29, 2022 1:21 pm Published by

We made a rustic lattice and hung cute herb buckets for herbs and veggies. What you need to make herb…

runner beans

Runner Beans

March 24, 2022 4:03 pm Published by

For many home cooks, the term ‘green beans’ doesn’t go beyond the steamed pods that accompany a roast for Sunday…

spinach alternatives

Spinach Alternatives

March 24, 2022 3:47 pm Published by

We’re always told to eat spinach, but what are the other leafy greens that can fill this role in our…

easy overnight oats

Easy Overnight Oats

March 18, 2022 4:38 pm Published by

Most of us run out of time every morning while we try to get ready for the day. Something that…

Powdery Mildew

March 18, 2022 3:32 pm Published by

Powdery mildew is easy to identify and is one of the oldest fungal diseases known to man. The infection will…

white borage

A Paler Shade of Borage

March 17, 2022 4:01 pm Published by

Seldom seen, white or snowy borage is a delicately beautiful addition to the herb or ornamental garden. I love having…

climb slinky

Climb A Slinky

February 18, 2022 3:43 pm Published by

Have some fun in the garden creating this ‘climb a slinky’ and some beans or peas. This is actually too…

growing mangoes

Growing Mangoes

February 17, 2022 3:57 pm Published by

Growing mangoes (Mangifera indica) from seed is possible, but it is unlikely that it would bear fruit; it’s best to…

preserving melon

Preserving Melons

January 25, 2022 5:05 pm Published by

If you’re lucky enough to have enough space to grow spanspek or cantaloupe, or sweet melons, you are bound to…

mushrooms

The Mystery of Mushrooms

January 21, 2022 1:51 pm Published by

Getting to grips with the many faces of the mushroom family. As passionate gardeners, we are occasionally startled and surprised…

diy dog treats

DIY Dog Treats

January 20, 2022 8:07 am Published by

These peanut butter-based DIY dog treats are easy to make and a good source of protein and healthy fats for…

Green Manures

November 7, 2019 10:42 am Published by

Manure is usually something that we think of as smelly, albeit useful for our garden. However, it is sometimes difficult…

Growing Potatoes

November 7, 2019 10:38 am Published by

Potatoes are an easy crop that can be grown all year round. The first crop is planted in August or…

Artemisia dracunculus

November 7, 2019 10:36 am Published by

French Tarragon French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a frost-hardy perennial with narrow green leaves that have an anise flavour. It…

Lush Swiss Chard

January 24, 2018 1:36 pm Published by

Lush, Leafy Swiss Chard Swiss chard is nature’s gift to food gardeners because it is such an easy, rewarding vegetable…

Step-Up Veggies

January 22, 2018 4:08 pm Published by

Step-Up Veggies Growing vertically is a great way to make the most of limited space. This handy DIY ladder allows…

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Eat your Veggies

January 22, 2018 3:25 pm Published by

How to get kids to eat veggies It’s great to grow your own veggies and enjoy the taste of fresh…

Earthworm Rescue

January 22, 2018 2:38 pm Published by

Earthworms to the Rescue! The best way to convert organic kitchen waste into a power tonic for your plants and…

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Hot and Spicy Oregano

January 22, 2018 2:19 pm Published by

This herb can take the heat There’s no place for mild herbs in Mexico’s hot and spicy food. Herbs have…

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Food Garden Roses

January 22, 2018 1:32 pm Published by

Roses in the food garden We grow roses for their beauty in the garden and for picking. So what are…

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Cape Gooseberry Trifle

January 22, 2018 11:18 am Published by

Cape Gooseberry Trifle Enough for a crowd, this dessert will have them coming back for more. 400g fresh Cape gooseberries…

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Cape Gooseberries

January 22, 2018 11:13 am Published by

Cape Gooseberries The Cape gooseberry (Physalis edulis) is a quick-growing annual or perennial fruit plant that originates in South America.…

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Grow a Mojito

January 22, 2018 10:57 am Published by

Grow a Mojito No herb garden should be without mint to add flavour to food and minty freshness to punches…

Eating Microgreens

January 22, 2018 10:50 am Published by

Eat your Microgreens Packed with flavour and nutrition, these gourmet greens are the perfect solution for urban gardeners. But even…

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Tomato Planter

January 22, 2018 8:31 am Published by

Upside-Down Tomato Planter Home-grown tomatoes always taste better, and to make the most of available space they can even be…

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Taco Party Salad

January 19, 2018 12:20 pm Published by

Take all the ingredients of a taco dinner and turn it into a party salad for a crowd. Let your…

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Hot Season Crop Tips

January 18, 2018 3:41 pm Published by

More Brinjals. Increase the yield of your brinjals by pinching out the growing tip when five or six leaves have…

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Kokedama Balls

January 18, 2018 2:16 pm Published by

Have a ball with Kokedama The space-saving trend of kokedama, the Japanese art of growing plants in moss balls, is…

Food Garden Flowers

January 18, 2018 1:46 pm Published by

Do flowers belong in a food garden? They certainly do, and not only those with edible petals! Many flowers double…

How to Dry Herbs

January 18, 2018 11:29 am Published by

How to dry herbs The most natural process of preserving herbs is to dry them in a cool, airy room,…

Thyme for All Seasons

January 18, 2018 11:20 am Published by

Thyme for All Seasons Although its growing season is in the warmer months, thyme is the perfect choice for the…

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Winter Ways with Rosemary

January 18, 2018 11:14 am Published by

Frost-hardy rosemary is a boon in winter: it makes the perfect protective, edible hedge, infuses a steamy bath with its…

Grow Microgreens

January 18, 2018 10:56 am Published by

A great project for winter is to grow your own microgreens and baby salad leaves. This can be done in…

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Berries in a Basket

January 18, 2018 10:51 am Published by

Strawberries do very well in containers and are perfect for hanging baskets Grow the very best home-planted strawberries using a…

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Strawberry Fields

January 18, 2018 10:39 am Published by

Strawberry Fields To enjoy sweet strawberries in spring and early summer you should be preparing and planting now The best…

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How to Prune Plums

January 18, 2018 10:22 am Published by

How to prune plums Pruning is the most important winter task for your plum trees. Here’s how to do it…

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Plant a Plum Tree

January 18, 2018 10:12 am Published by

Plant a Plum Tree this Winter Success with plums is as easy as following these steps There is no juicier…

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Chilli Kale Stir Fry

January 18, 2018 9:22 am Published by

Chilli Kale Stir Fry Make kale the hero of your veggie side dishes with this easy and healthy stir-fry. 1…

swiss chard smoothies

Hearty Kale

January 18, 2018 9:17 am Published by

A potent superfood that’s now touted by celebrity chefs, kale is one of the few veggies that regularly crop through…

Growing Parsnips

January 18, 2018 9:01 am Published by

Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) aren’t a vegetable that springs to mind, being more common in the colder countries than in South…

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Radish Tzatziki

January 18, 2018 8:52 am Published by

Radish Tzatziki 1 medium-sized bunch of radishes 1-2 cloves of garlic Lemon juice 250ml Greek yoghurt (full or low fat)…

Radiant Radishes

January 18, 2018 8:49 am Published by

The radish belongs to the Brassicaceae family. While we are all familiar with the red radish, other cultivars come in…

Leek and Potato Bake

January 18, 2018 8:40 am Published by

Leeks are a quintessential winter vegetable that is an ideal nutrient-packed addition to soups or stews to keep you warm…

Growing Leeks

January 18, 2018 8:32 am Published by

Essential flavourings for cold season soups and stews, garlic, leeks, chives and onions are the kitchen garden’s storm troopers against…

Cauliflower-based bites

January 17, 2018 3:43 pm Published by

The craze of ricing cauliflower as a substitute for flour for those that are on gluten-free diets has meant that…

Growing Cauliflower

Cauliflower is King!

January 17, 2018 3:37 pm Published by

With plant-based diets now a popular choice for many people, the humble cauliflower has become an exciting addition to mealtimes.…

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Peanut Tips

January 17, 2018 11:35 am Published by

Tips on Growing Peanuts ● Keep the peanuts in their shells until ready to plant, to keep them fresh and…

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Rhubarb Fool

January 17, 2018 11:12 am Published by

Rhubarb Fool This easy recipe makes a refreshing dessert. Ingredients: 600g rhubarb 170g brown sugar ¼ teaspoon ground cloves Juice…

Robust Rhubarb

January 17, 2018 11:08 am Published by

It’s known as a vegetable, produces stalks that are considered a fruit, and it has been known for centuries as…

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Fish Pie

January 17, 2018 10:53 am Published by

Fish Pie With tarragon going so well with fish, potatoes and creamy filling, it should be standard in a simple…

Herbal Eye Candy

January 17, 2018 10:38 am Published by

Although herbs are mostly grown for practical reasons such as for culinary, medicinal and cosmetic uses, there are herbal plants…

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Pink Lemonade Cordial

January 17, 2018 9:57 am Published by

Homemade Pink Lemonade Cordial Recipe by Erica Brown of Sōlfood. 1 litre freshly squeezed lemon juice 850g sugar 2-3 thinly…

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A Perfect Match

January 17, 2018 8:31 am Published by

Roses and vegetables are an obvious pairing for so many reasons. Roses and vegetables have a history of being grown…

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Grey Water

January 17, 2018 8:20 am Published by

Grey Water Growing veggies with grey water Grey water is waste water collected from the shower, bath, hand basin and…

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Artichoke

January 15, 2018 2:52 pm Published by

The Gourmet Herb Artichoke As a vegetable, globe artichokes (Cynara scolymus) are considered a gourmet delicacy. As a garden plant,…

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Superb Celery

January 15, 2018 2:27 pm Published by

Before 2019 celery was an elusive vegetable that appeared in the occasional salad or disguised in a chef’s mirepoix. But…

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Stuffed Pumpkins Flowers

January 15, 2018 2:19 pm Published by

Rice and veggie stuffed pumpkin flowers 10 freshly picked pumpkin flowers (Use the male flowers with the long stems, and…

pumpkin

Prized Pumpkins

January 15, 2018 2:13 pm Published by

Prized Pumpkins Pumpkins are the big daddy of vegetables, and they certainly like to ramble. Although not ideal for small…

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Super Smoothies

January 15, 2018 1:35 pm Published by

Super Smoothies Smoothies are a great way to use your home-grown fruit and veggies, and to get your daily requirement…

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Sweet Pineapples

January 15, 2018 1:18 pm Published by

Sweet Pineapples Common name: Pineapple Botanical name: Ananas comosus Origin: Tropical Mesoamerica Suitable climates Pineapples are one of the most…

Basil Varieties

January 15, 2018 12:52 pm Published by

Sweet basil is the basil that everyone knows, with large, soft green leaves and sprays of white flowers. It grows…

Sweet Peppers

January 15, 2018 12:04 pm Published by

Capsicum annuum is the best-known domesticated species of pepper in the world and contains a huge number of varieties including…

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Spinach by Any Other Name

January 15, 2018 11:43 am Published by

Spinach by any other name Most of us use the terms ‘spinach’ and ‘Swiss chard’ interchangeably when referring to our…

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Papoutsakia

January 15, 2018 11:30 am Published by

Papoutsakia – ‘little brinjal shoes’ This traditional Greek recipe uses brinjals or eggplants as the stars of the show. Papoutsakia…

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Bravo For Brinjals

January 15, 2018 11:22 am Published by

Bravo For Brinjals The eggplant, aubergine, or brinjal is something of an acquired taste. If you like that slight bitterness,…

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Mashed Potato Puffs

January 15, 2018 10:34 am Published by

Mashed Potato Puffs 3 large potatoes (540g), mashed with skin (2 cups) 3 large eggs, beaten 180g reduced-fat feta cheese,…

Potato Tower

January 15, 2018 10:18 am Published by

Potato Tower A simple way to grow potatoes in limited space. What you will need: 25mm x 25mm fencing wire…

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Korean Kimchi

January 15, 2018 9:51 am Published by

Korean Kimchi Kimchi, South Korea’s national dish, was developed in the days before refrigeration, to best make use of seasonal…

Summer Heat with Chillies

November 27, 2017 12:50 pm Published by

This summer up the heat in the garden and the kitchen with a selection of chillies and peppers. Christopher Columbus…