Bedford Country Gardens 2023 Eastern Cape : The Gardener

Bedford Country Gardens 2023

Friday 20 – Sunday 22 October, Friday 3 – Sunday 5 November

Belmont Farm – Ria and Henry Moolman

A true treasure hiding in the mountains, this garden was established in 1974 and represents something old, something new and definitely something blue.

Directions: Travel on the Tarkastad Road via Baviaans River (gravel road). Pass the white church on your right. 2km after the church is a board indicating Belmont Farm.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: R20. Children free

Plant sales
Picnic spots

Cavers Country House – Kenneth and Rozanne Ross, Bruce and Tarin Ross

This peaceful oasis with huge trees, sweeping lawns and bountiful herbaceous borders, frames a blue-chip guest house and gracious fifth-generation family home. Windows in the various garden rooms invite the eye outwards towards the magnificent mountains and sky. There is space to unwind and dream: grand scale is part of the lingering impression.

Times 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: R20. Children free

Plant sales
Wheelchair access
Food and drink
Picnic spots

Cole Street Conservatory

The Cole Street Conservatory is dedicated to growing herbs, medicinal and edible plants and to educating visitors about their health benefits. This tranquil and beautiful garden provides herbs and flowers for the Apprentice Cooking School and The Duke of Bedford.

Directions: Corner of Van Riebeek and Andrew Turpin Street, near the roundabout.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: Free

Plant sales
Dogs allowed
Food and drink
Wheelchair access

De Oude Fabreeck – Jacques Muller and Benita Blom Kotze

A trip to Bedford wouldn’t be complete without popping in at de Oude Fabreeck (previously Eagle Hout), to experience the vast open garden, which is a lush sanctuary in the making. Each year the creative space develops into something more magical. Live Entertainment both weekends Fri and Sat evenings.

Directions: 47 Van Riebeeck Street (Lower end)
Times: 8:00 – late
Entry: Free

Plant sales
Art
Dogs allowed
Wheelchair access
Food and drink

Donkerhoek – Mike and Barbara Church

After many years of working in the big cities, Mike and Barbara bought a piece of her ancestral farm and renovated the old farmhouse. Lifestyle farming is going well with a productive veggie garden, dairy cow and hens. The organic vegetable garden is on show and tea, coffee and scones with jam and cream offered on the back stoep.

Directions: Travel out of Bedford on the R63 toward Adelaide and after 8km turn left at the Cowie/Cavers/Mill Cricket Ground sign onto a dirt road. After 3.4km take the left at the T-junction, through a security gate for 0.5km. Take a right at the Donkerhoek sign, over the causeway and around the hill. The sign is on the left.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: donation toward upliftment of staff skills and lifestyle

Plants sales
Wheelchair access
Food and drink

Eildon – David and Taryn Pringle

This soft tranquil space is in sharp contrast to the rugged and harsh countryside surrounding it. The garden mirrors the formality of the 7th-generation homestead, although planting within the beds is informal. The garden is made up of six distinct rooms: the entrance area, the sunken rose garden, the white room, the pool room, the park area and the orangery. Masses of white Iceberg roses are used to create a visual bond between house and garden. Timber gates lead the eye out of the orangery and off into the wide expanse of the mountain and veld. Alongside the garden, is the 1820 Scottish Settler Memorial Church, and Thomas Pringle’s grave.

Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: R20. Children free

Plant sales
Wheelchair access
Food and drink

Fair Holt Farm – Oggie and Lucy Pringle

A new garden has been established around the original homestead of the farm. The garden is low maintenance and waterwise, featuring indigenous plants as well as a formal area framed by salt bush, which has a long history of traditional use in the area. Delicate French Panarosa roses are planted along the front of the house.

Directions: Travel 10km from Bedford towards Cradock. Turn right onto the dirt road towards Tarkastad. Pass through a red and white boom gate (you will lose cell reception shortly afterwards). Travel 18km, pass the big white church and then turn left at sign posted WD Pringle ‘Fair Holt ‘. From that turn, travel 5km to the farm. When the road splits (house/shed), take the left-hand branch and park.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: R20. Children free

Plant sales
Wheelchair access
Food and drink
Picnic spots

Glen Avon – Bill and Alison Brown

This 8th-generation farm exudes a sense of timelessness of a bygone era. The park-like garden with informal mixed borders is more like an English country garden, complementing the 200-year-old farmhouse. Stately old oak trees and a spectacular Bauhinia bowkeri add to the feeling of tranquillity.

Directions: From Bedford, take the R63 towards Cradock, turn left onto the N10 to Cookhouse. Turn right onto R63 and after 21km turn right at sign Glen Avon B&B. Travel 6,5km of good gravel road.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: R20. Children free

Wheelchair access
Food and drink

Glen Gregor – Lochart and Shirley Ainslie

Situated at the end of the valley is the Glen Gregor garden. It overlooks the dam and the natural forest, which is alive with many bird species. If you listen carefully, you may hear a resident Narina trogan calling! The lush green garden is filled with shade loving plants which peacefully grow under the majestic 75-year-old pin oak.

Directions: Leaving town head towards Adelaide on R63. Turn left at the Cowie Valley sign. At the T junction turn left. Stay on the road to the end of the valley and you will arrive at Glen Gregor.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: Donation

Plant sales
Dogs allowed
Wheelchair access
Picnic spots

Maasström – Peter and Doreen Freese

The historical Maasström Farm lies nestled beneath the Kaga Mountains. A magnificent atlas cedar surrounded by beautiful clivias welcome you to this spectacular garden. Formal flowerbeds interspersed with topiaries and perfumed roses lead off from the circular pond which have centrally placed bronze herons. Mature trees shade the footpaths, with benches placed for quiet contemplation. The Cycad Garden is now very well established. Walk through the yellowwood forest to the fragrant rose bank which has many heirloom and David Austin roses.

Directions: Van Riebeeck Street in town will lead you straight to the entrance, which is marked by two white pillars.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: R20. Children free

Plant sales
Wheelchair access
Picnic spots

Mandalay – Bruce and Janine Pitt

Mandalay is situated in a peaceful area of Bedford and overlooks the beautiful golf course and the mountain. Espaliered fruit trees count among the 12 different varieties of fruit and nut trees that (along with veggies in raised beds) help fulfil the dream of self-sufficiency in this gracious space with its stunning outlook. Solar installations and water harvesting mean Bruce and Janine are 90% off-grid. Roses and fragrant climbers perfume the air, while structure and iron work provide interesting focal points. There is something to inspire all in this ever-changing town garden.

Directions: 23 Stockholm Street
Times: 8:00 to 22:00 Friday and Saturday, 8:00 – 12:00 Sunday. Picnic baskets are available to order in advance.
Entry: R20. Children free

Plant sales
Wheelchair access
Dogs allowed
Food and drink

Olivewoods – Brett and Wendy Wienand

Owned by a sixth-generation farming family dealing in cattle, angora goats, sheep, citrus and pecan nuts, this lovely home and B&B cottage are set in a beautiful park-like garden. The mature garden has spectacular views, richly planted steep banks and majestic old trees. The open grasslands are home to buck and wildlife.

Directions: 9km from Cookhouse
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: R20. Children free

Plant sales
Dogs allowed
Picnic spots

Skelmkloof Farm Garden – Francois and Hilda Marais

Hospitality straight from the heart awaits you at this whimsical Karoo-style garden that is both a place of healing and a refuge for rescued arid-zone plants. Hilda’s quirky sense of humour is reflected in her garden, and her delightful outlook on life infuses her remote mountain home. All is totally in tune with the wild landscape. This will be the last year her garden

Directions: Look for the board ‘Francois Marais Skelmkloof’ on the right side as you travel up the mountain. Turn right and drive for 8kms until you get to the house.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: a donation

Plant sales
Wheelchair access
Food and drink
Picnic spots

The Orchards Farm – Liesl and Graeme Brown

These 7th generation farmers, are your hosts at the tranquil Orchards Farm –an informal country garden that springs to life with an abundance of colour in the spring, continuing through to the warm summer months. Graced by beautiful old oak trees, the homestead enjoys breath-taking mountain views over lush kikuyu pastures. The farmyard itself is a hive of activity that horses, cats, dogs and busy children get to call home.

Directions: From Bedford, take the R63 towards Cradock, turn left onto the N10 to Cookhouse. Turn right onto R63 and after 21km turn right at sign Glen Avon B&B. Travel 6,5km on a good gravel road.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Entry: R20. Children free

Plant sales
Dogs allowed
Wheelchair access
Food and drink
Picnic spots

The SA Rosarium

Roses are set amongst magnificent indigenous and exotic trees against the mountain backdrop. They are accessed by manicured grass pathways. They grow in exuberant profusion and the exquisite perfume pervades the whole space. The garden pays tribute to the hardiness, drought and pest-resistance of heritage roses.

Directions: Corner of Upper Stockholm Street and Hart Street, Bedford.
Times: 8:00 – 17:00
Enquiries: Dr DJ Comyn 083 261 8037 is open. Don’t miss this opportunity to view courage personified in the garden and woman working together with nature.