Garden Galleria – Goodies and Gadgets

Stylish wooden sheds 

These wooden sheds from Upyard are not only beautiful but incredibly functional, too. They are made from premium, sustainably sourced Nordic spruce in Europe and feature integrated ventilation and double doors for practical, spacious storage. They are easily assembled and available in two different sizes from Builders Warehouse stores, and Makro and Leroy Merlin (online).

Practical metal sheds 

Perfectly practical, the Archer Metal Sheds offer simple storage wherever needed. Available in two sizes, these sheds feature sliding doors and a fixed window and come supplied with a foundation kit included (excludes floor). They are available in a modern grey colour, are easy to assemble, and have a unique perforated panel design. They are available from Builders Warehouse stores, and Makro and Leroy Merlin (online). 

Garden in comfort 

Whether planting new blooms or tending to your veggie or herb patch, the REBEL Cruiza Gardn-Pro clogs are designed to keep you going all day. Their slip-resistant soles, postureenhancing design, and easy-to-clean material make them the perfect companion for any garden enthusiast. They are also lightweight and easy to slip on for a day in the garden. Whether you’re an avid gardener or love spending time outdoors, step up your game with clogs that deliver comfort and durability. Available from Mango Moon which distributes the clogs to available garden centres nationwide. https://www.rebelsafetygear.com/product-category/occupational-footwear/

The easy way to grow a meadow 

Grow your own flower meadow with MayFord’s Pollinator Flower Mix. This unique flower seed mix is the perfect choice for a waterwise, pollinator-friendly garden with minimum effort. Mix the seeds with water, and once the gel has formed, splatter blobs of the gel over the prepared soil area. Rake lightly, press down, keep moist and watch your garden bloom into a haven for bees and butterflies. www.mayford.co.za 

The Ways and Wonders of South African Trees 

In this new book, Willem Frost explores the rich diversity and beauty of indigenous trees, uncovering this fascinating world. The book is presented in two parts: the first explores the physiology and behaviour of trees, and the second explores the grandeur of a select number of species, richly supported by photographs. 160 species are included, and iconic trees like the baobab, sausage tree, mopane tree, and lesser known but interesting trees such as baboon’s breakfast are featured. Willem Frost is a writer and amateur dendrologist with a strong commitment to conservation through sustainable use. He has spent decades in the African bush exploring, studying, and photographing fauna and flora. Check online for stockists. www.struiknature.co.za / www.Penguinrandomhouse.co.za 

Bennings Green Squash 

This easy-to-grow heirloom patty-pan squash is pale green and matures to a creamy white. This new variety from Kirchhoffs has bushy growth that provides excellent yields of saucer-shaped fruits with scalloped edges. Patty pans are a versatile vegetable that can be used in various recipes, from sauteing and roasting to stuffing and baking. www.kirchhoffs.co.za 

Cool little saw set 

Quality blade manufacturer MPS has released its convenient all-new four-piece 4400 hand saw set in South Africa. It features a neat, versatile, high-quality, high-strength plastic universal handle, which can be used for cutting straight or at an angle. It comes with three blades to cut steel, wood, or masonry, a bonus 75 mm adaptor, and a bit set that conveniently doubles as a handy screwdriver. It is made of the highest-quality carbon steel to the highest possible German engineering standards. www.vermontsales.co.za 

All round plant food 

Ludwig’s Vigorosa 5:1:5 (25) is a balanced organicallyenriched fertiliser that contains all the essential nutrients for feeding not only roses but also vegetables, flowers, shrubs, lawns, groundcovers and container plants. Being a slow-release fertiliser means a little goes a long way – only reapply every 6 weeks. It is harmless to birds, wildlife, pets and humans at the recommended application rates and is available from your local garden centre in 750 g, 4,5 kg and 15 kg buckets. www.kirchhoffs.co.za 

Plant tough perennials 

It’s time for the coneflowers to shine. We love seeing these bright plants for pollinators fill our perennial department with colour. They are heat and droughtresistant and flower from late summer right through to the end of autumn. They grow to around 40 cm high in hot sunny to afternoon sunny positions, and they come back year after year. www.eckards.co.za 

#DidYouKnow: The botanical name Echinacea is derived from the Greek word for hedgehog because of the spiny domed centre of the older flowers.