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Noordhoek Open Gardens 2022

Noordhoek Open Gardens 2022

Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 October 2022

Spring has sprung and Noordhoek gardens are in full bloom!  This means it’s time for the 8th annual Noordhoek Open Gardens, being held over two days on the weekend of 22-23 October 2022.

This year, a total of 19 gardens are on show – from large and rambling, to small and cottagey, indigenous and exotic, shade and sun loving, water-wise and food gardens – making for a wonderful day or weekend outing!  Visitors will be able to explore properties with indigenous palettes, eco- gardens, organic food gardens, woodlands, a Zen garden and wetlands pool, as well as small cottage-style gardens – all set against Noordhoek’s breathtaking sea and mountain views.  

The Noordhoek Environmental Action Group will offer tours of the Chapman’s Peak Nature Sanctuary, where visitors will learn about eco-systems that once covered large parts of Noordhoek and are mapped as critical biodiversity areas by the City of Cape Town. Guided tours will run at 11h00 and15h00 on both days. There will be workshop and demonstrations on propagating clivias and pruning bonsais.  

Proceeds from Noordhoek Open Gardens enables On the Verge to continue and expand this community work.  On The Verge was formed 12 years ago to preserve the natural beauty of Noordhoek, while providing jobs for unemployed members of neighbouring Masiphumelele. The project currently employs eight gardeners, who can be seen every Wednesday digging, weeding or planting somewhere along the roadsides.  To date, On The Verge has planted more than 120 trees and beautified 30 verges. It helps with alien vegetation clearing and maintaining/extending various walking and horse riding paths.“

We have also revamped and maintained Noordhoek’s historic Village Lane Post-Office garden and have planted trees in two play parks,” says On The Verge founder, Kathy Fish. “In conjunction with the City of Cape Town Environmental Management Department, we are now tackling public open spaces, opening up forgotten footpaths and greening some of these underutilised and forgotten spaces for the community and visitors to enjoy.”  “We are extremely grateful for the support from our sponsors, from the business community, private individuals and community groups.  Many local residents and our two local nurseries have also been extremely enthusiastic and supportive,” she says.  

Times: 10h00 – 16h00.  

Tickets: R25 single entry, R150 for a day pass and R250m for a weekend pass – available at all the gardens. Children under 18 enter for free and there will be pensioners’ discounts.  

Ticket enquiries: 072 574 6608.

Noordhoek Open Garden Enquiries: Kathy Fish – 082 3965295

Facebook: www.facebook.com/noordhoek.ontheverge

Instagram: #noordhoekopengardens

More Information About Each Garden And A Map:

www.noordhoektourism.co.za/noordhoek-open-gardens/

Here are a few of the gardens that will be on show:

Samantha and Andrew – Potomac Place

Situated on the slopes of Dassenberg Mountain, this garden boasts lovely sea and mountain views. The garden is a large horticulturalists’ dream and a working garden. Rolling lawns flow down to a tranquil dam with an island and a bridge. Areas of interest include tropical, succulent, herbaceous beds and clivia breeding shade houses.

Claire – Around the Bend, Francisca Lane

A lush, indigenous, no-grass garden with meandering brick paths, quirky repurposed items coddled together to make features which reflect the curved shape of the house and its view of the mountain. Find the hidden courtyard with its overflowing canopy from next door.

Alice and Greg – Brook Crescent

A garden filled with proteas, aloes and ericas and blending into the stunning Noordhoek environment. The idea is to create an indigenous environment ecosystem to attract birds and other small creatures. No pesticides are used. An ongoing project to bring some natural joy to those who walk past.

Trish – Beach Road

On entering under a natural arch of milkwoods, one encounters a hidden, enchanting and peaceful haven of a garden in a milkwood forest. Stroll along the garden paths and discover diverse shade-loving plantings that grow miraculously in extreme weather conditions. Emerge out of this shade garden to a raised sun-drenched deck and enjoy a panoramic view of Noordhoek beach. Sit a while and perhaps the sunbirds will grace you with their presence!

Kathy and Gavin – The House at Pooh Corner, Village Lane

This large, rambling, shade-loving garden, positioned along the De Goode Hoop stream, has been lovingly gardened for 25 years. Over 100 trees and both exotic and indigenous shrubs and bulbs have been planted in mixed borders alongside meandering paths. A bonsai garden, lush semiformal veggie garden and various sculptural and artistic features add to the overall interest and beauty of this garden.

Neag – Chapman’s Peak Nature Sanctuary, c/o Wattle Road and Oak Avenue

The sanctuary covers 3 hectares and two ecosystems that once covered large parts of Noordhoek. Mapped by the City as a Critical Biodiversity Area, it comprises 2 hectares of the last remnant of undisturbed tall Southern Coastal Forest (Milkwood Forest) in Noordhoek, plus 1.2 ha of Endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld in exceptional ecological condition. So far more than 100 plant species have been identified, many of which are the edible and medicinal plants used by the KhoiSan. Join a Noordhoek Environmental Action Group guide for a tour of this special place, during the best time of year for viewing. Tours run at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00. Numbers are limited per tour.

Michelle and Andrew – Old Cape Farm Road

A family garden incorporating different spaces to enjoy and connect with nature, relax, play. Features include a walk-through food garden, grassy-edged stream, fynbos hill garden and a boulle court. This beautiful garden is surrounded by both mountain and sea views.

Sarah and Lee – Heldray Road

A four-year-old garden developed on the footprint of the original Barrett homestead and grounds (est. 1956) that burnt to the ground in the fires of 2015. It’s a work in progress combining an eclectic mix of exotic and indigenous flora, veggie beds set within the established treed and hedged boundary that survived the fires.

Antje and Bernard – Old Cape Farm Road

An indigenous garden developed with a love for fynbos, succulents, vygies and other Cape plants. Pathways meander through the different sections with spectacular views of the Dassenberg Koppies, the vlei, beach and Chapman’s Peak. Designer dog paths, a bee hive, veggie garden, chook pen, greenhouse and fish pond are all there to be enjoyed.

Mary and Nico – Sea Cottage Drive

This garden, started 3 years ago, is a work in progress which began as a field of builder’s rubble, Port Jackson and devil thorns. The garden is designed around an ‘octopus’ layout of pathways, with different areas focussing on a variety of plant types. The sunny garden is largely indigenous, mostly water-wise and hopefully wind resistant.

Noordhoek Open Gardens

Gill, Graham and Stacey – Metro Organics, Sleepy Hollow Lane

Metro Organics is a family run Organic Urban Farm that broke ground in December 2016. It grows organic veggies in the typical market-gardening style. Rows of delicious thriving veggies are grown in a beautiful setting. The food garden nursery will have veg and herb seedlings and plugs for sale.

Angela and Justin – Jardim Gardens, Rosalyn Road

A family run organic veggie garden open every Saturday at 10:00, supplying veggies to the community. Pick your own veggies or just wander around and enjoy the structure and beauty of this edible garden. Freshly picked veggie boxes will be on sale. A gorgeous collection of orchids in the garden meditation room are also a must to see.

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