Prince Albert Open Gardens 2024

28 September – 29 September 2024

Eight unique Karoo gardens will be on display as part of the Prince Albert Open Gardens 2024!

It will be a jam-packed weekend, filled with all things natural, organic, green, and inspiring. Besides the gardens, a host of talks, walks, and workshops will be sure to enlighten and enthrall.

They are honoured to welcome Liana Jansen to deliver the keynote talk, Indigenous Healing Plants. For the last ten years, Liana Jansen has become acquainted with the Fynbos, Renosterveld, and succulent Karoo medicinal species that grow on her farm in Montagu and the surrounding area. She is a professional Landscape Architect, and 25 years of academic research in reading and conserving cultural landscapes helped her understand the role of Sensory Education in identifying potential healing species and our Indigenous cultures’ role in their stewardship. This talk will highlight some of the lessons she learnt from spending time with the #Khomani-San, AmaMpondo and the local Montagu community, and formulating natural skincare products with indigenous plants for Fijn Botanicals.

There are a few favourites back from last year’s inaugural event. Their very own biodiversity expert, Professor Sue Dean will be guiding walks at Wolwekraal Nature Reserve, as well as the Swartberg Pass Wild Walk. The first covers the geology, botany, natural and cultural history of the southern Karoo desert. The latter guides you through the spectacular folded quartzites and natural hanging gardens where fragrant Pelargoniums, mint, and honeybells grow close to the water’s edge where Cape willows emerge among the boulders, and change is witnessed at every turn.

When not out walking, Sue Dean will be your host at Renu-Karoo Nursery, Prince Albert’s centre of plant expertise and purchasing advice.

Oasis Farm’s foodscaper, Sue Torrance, will once again present organic vegetable growing workshops covering the amazing seed, natural pest control and the importance of companion planting.

New on this year’s calendar will be Bertus Fourie’s Bringing the Veld Back to the Garden. The workshop will take place on a small restoration plot discussing veld restoration for arid areas, the importance of local indigenous plants, veld types, wild seed collection, and why the ideals of restoration and conservation should become more relevant to the gardening community and landscape industry.

They are also thrilled to have Lydia and Sigri Barellas Mineral Collection viewing on our programme, as well as a guided Gordon Koppie Trail Walk. Another Prince Albert local sharing his talent is Michael Trealor of Karoo Lapidary Artisanal Rock Birdbaths.

The Prince Albert Skills School will be running an activation at the Parkie they so lovingly tend, with a Garden in a Shoebox competition being a fun highlight.

Be sure to join them 28 and 29 September, tickets available via Quicket from 1 September, at the Markie 7, 14, and 21 September, or at Renu-Karoo Nursery 28 and 29 September. Follow them on socials @princealbertopengardens.

Tickets are available to purchase on https://www.quicket.co.za/events/277266-prince-albert-open-gardens-2024?preview=t#/

For enquiries please contact Inga Terblanche on 082 854 9301 or inga@mweb.co.za .

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