Down to Earth SA • Spring/Summer 2021

sa

You’ll dig it!

Lekkerste braai herbs

BE WATER-WISE

Colour-pop your garden

Spring/Summer 2021

FREE

Photo by Todd Trapani fromPexels

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR LAUNCH ISSUE! From all at Team Isikhova

10th Floor, Metal Box, 25 Owl Street, Milpark, Johannesburg • 011 883 4627 • www.isikhova.co.za

DOWN TO EARTH

1

Editor-in-Chief & Publishing Director Jason Aarons jason@isikhova.co.za Editor Deborah Hele deborah@isikhova.co.za

Editorin-Chief's

Director: Brand Strategy Jenny Justus 083 450 6052 jenny@isikhova.co.za

message

Pictures Editor Amahle Jali Copy Editor Anne Phillips Managing Director Imraan Mahomed imraan@isikhova.co.za

As I put pen to paper (or, rather, finger to keyboard), I found my mind flooded with an endless flow of gardening idioms, phrases, names of flowers and quotations. All of which I was tempted to use. I might still!

Creative Director Joanne Brook joanne@isikhova.co.za Operations Director Thuli Majola thuli@isikhova.co.za

Suffice to say that Down to Earth’s début has been a double delight (see, I told you!) in envisaging the magazine and then seeing it being realised. As you begin your gardening journey with us, you’ll discover that our storybook is one of refreshing, exciting, fun and invaluable gardening experiences and advice for South Africans – whether you’re not-so-green-fingered or a seasoned horticulturist.

With an infinite potpourri of topics available, we bring you seasonal features and inspiration to fertilise your passion for gardening and celebrate the flora and fauna which are such a wonderful and essential part of it. All of this “paints” gardening canvasses which we see and share every day – whether in backyards, front entrances, balconies of high-rise apartment blocks, patio pots, kitchen windowsills or gazing out from verandahs at the feet of mountains. It’s a rich palette indeed.

May our brushstrokes feed your soul, nourish your heart and bring magic to your garden too.

Jason

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Down to Earth SA is independently published by Isikhova Media (Pty) Ltd 10th Floor, Metal Box, 25 Owl Street, Milpark, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa Telephone +27 11 883 4627 www.isikhova.co.za Subscriptions & general enquiries downtoearth@isikhova.co.za

Isikhova Media is a proud member of the South African Nurseries Association.

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the owners, the publisher, contributors or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents, neither Down to Earth SA the owners, the Editor-in-Chief, the publisher; media alliance partners nor any of its endorsed organisations or contributors, can be held responsible for any omissions or errors; or for any misfortune, injury or damages which may arise therefrom.

The same applies to all advertising. Down to Earth SA © 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers.

DOWN TO EARTH

Contents 5

DELIGHTS & DISCOVERIES Great finds for your garden and home

7

SUMMERTIME . . . AND THE LIVING IS EASY Roll up your sleeves and head outside

9

TUNE IN Gardening "notes"

10 PRETTY FLAMINGOES

Making a fabulous comeback 11 DIG IN

Our top 10 gardening tools

African he art

2

15

14 16

YOUR KITCHEN GARDEN It's about thyme and more BOTTLING SUNSHINE Yellow it is

17 ORANGE YOU GLAD!?

Get your garden noticed

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

Sheet Street

18 MOONLIGHT SERENADE

White gardens 20 GROW YOUR OWN

What you need to know BEE FRIENDLY Get your garden buzzing

Mr Price

22

21 23

PINK PERFECTION Colour-pop your garden

24 BE AN URBAN GREENIE

Lawns – the organic way 26 LA VIE EN ROSE

The queen of all flowers 28 12 BEAUTIES

Our favourite roses 29

30

HANG IN THERE! Don’t be a basket case – try our hanging basket tips PROUDLY SA PLANTS Indigenous is the idea

32

CONTAIN YOURSELF Finding the right container for indoor and outdoor plants

33 GET WATER-WISE

Because every drop counts 34 PATIO PIZZAZZ

Make your outside

space work

45 A GREEN READ

Our Editor greenlights a terrific book!

36

45 WIN!

Two copies of Jane's Delicious Superfoods

For Super Health

LEKKERSTE BRAAI HERBS Bringing flavour to your weekend menu

38 MAKE NEW ROOMMATES

Discover Mother Nature’s sleep solutions 40 SURVIVOR SA

Caring for your indoor

plants while on holiday

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

46 TWITTER FOLLOWING

This one’s for the birds 48

UNDER THE TREE A sneak peek at what’s under our tree this festive season

3

DOWN TO EARTH

5

Delights & discoveries The Down to Earth SA team shares some great finds for your home and garden

Nourish liquid organic plant food.

Various stockists nationwide.

Talborne Organics

Planting Chocolate salad flowers.

Various stockists nationwide.

Sow Delicious

Seasalt & Sky EnViro bag with protea theme and seaside twist.

Made locally from 100% recycled plastic. R220,00. Lighthearted SA

Brass lizards add unique detail to any kitchen cupboard, chest of drawers or furniture. Motmot

Rope-woven clock. R299,00. Mr Price

Spekboom jam. A unique, sweet tart jam with a mild, spicy flavour. Made from the edible leaves of the spekboom.

150g/125ml: R65,00. Spekboom Co

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Matt vinyl self-adhesive peel and stick “Hatchlings” wall covering, 0,5m x 9,8m. R1 390,00. Leroy Merlin

African Rub braai and cooking rub.

High in herbs, low in salt.

From R50,00. Funky Ouma

Joyful, bright, colourful – we love the optimism reflected in these beautiful paintings by Portchie. Portchie Art

HARVEY EcoTile

®

A DIVISION OF

The green roof tile Welcome to the future of roofing – a technological breakthrough from Harvey Roofing Products: the Harvey EcoTile®.

Stylish Double Roman design combines functional advantages with classic aesthetics.

Harvey EcoTile® is a mineral composite roof tile. By utilising 98% waste material, Harvey EcoTile® is 100% recyclable yet provides superior functional benefits to other roofing options.

Non-porous, non-brittle finish ensures virtually zero water absorption and therefore light weight in all weather conditions.

Harvey EcoTile’s® technological design advantage ensures an interlocking, lightweight tile that is low on maintenance, weatherproof and virtually unbreakable in normal use.

Advanced engineering provides interlocking system for weather proofing and superior strength.

Your building’s roof is one of its most important elements in function, aesthetics, surface area and investment. Increase its functional performance and green credentials with one innovative product – Harvey EcoTile®.

Lightweight

Low Maintenance

Durable

Weatherproof

Attractive

Easy to Install

Paintable

SANS 10400-T

Waste Material

100% Recyclable

Waterless

Community Projects

A DIVISION OF

Tel: +27 11 741 5600

www.harveyroofingproducts.co.za

DOWN TO EARTH

7

"Regular fertilising will produce an abundance of blooms on flowering perennials and shrubs."

Photo by Neil Harvey from Pexels

Summertime . . . and the living is easy Our summers are wonderfully conducive to garden parties and outdoor, patio and even balcony entertaining. What better way to celebrate a colour palette and glorious weather than with your family and friends in your special space? But whatever its ambience – whether vibrant, exciting and impressive or romantic, elegant and inspiring – it needs TLC. So roll up your sleeves, put on your hat, grab your gardening gloves and head outside with a selection of our hints, tips and advice for summer loving!

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Clean paving and/or slabs with an algaecide.

Watch out for snails and cutworm.

Image by Eko Pramono from Pixabay

8

DOWN TO EARTH

YOUR LAWN Mow your lawn regularly, remembering to raise the height of the cut in dry weather.

Water the lawn during dry spells, provided there are no water restrictions.

Fertilise it every four weeks with a lawn fertiliser. Better still, use an organic alternative and water it very well afterwards.

YOUR FLOWERS

See our lawncare feature on p22.

YOUR FRUIT AND VEGGIES Strawberry runners can be pegged down into soil.

Remove straw from under strawberries that have finished fruiting.

Mulch rhubarb plants and remove flower spikes.

Harvest early potatoes.

Harvest globe artichokes.

Keep onions well watered to maximise yield.

Keep an eye out for aphids, which multiply as the weather gets warmer.

Sow salad crops.

It’s essential to fertilise vegetables and herbs regularly.

Lightly prune late-spring and early-summer shrubs soon after flowering, to promote new growth.

Deadhead roses and fertilise with a suitable rose fertiliser.

Spray roses to control black spot, mildew and aphids.

Water hanging baskets and containers at least once a day and replenish nutrient loss with weekly fertilising (see “Hang in there!” on p27).

Plant summer-flowering bulbs like dahlias, amaryllis and water lilies.

Regular fertilising will produce an abundance of blooms on flowering perennials and shrubs.

Tie in and train new growth on creepers.

What’s your go-to gardening hint or tip? Share it with us on our Facebook page @downtoearthmag or e-mail: downtoearth@isikhova.co.za SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

9

1. Dreams, 2004 remastered – Fleetwood Mac 2. Brown-Eyed Girl – Van Morrison 3. Mr Blue Sky – Electric Sky Orchestra 4. Bloom – The Paper Kites 5. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

Tune in

6. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles

Do you listen to music while gardening? If so, it's likely that at some point over the past year, you’ve heard Fleetwood Mac’s song Dreams. That’s according to new research from Miller Homes in the USA, which analysed the 116 021 songs added to 1 000 Spotify playlists with “gardening” in the title. How many of these 10 most popular gardeners’ tracks have you hummed along to?

7. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves 8. Africa – Toto 9. Wildflowers – Tom Petty 10. Fast Car – Tracy Chapman

g n e o r L r o sf n w a L

Trusted by farmers since 1919

h s Lu

Distributed by

10

DOWN TO EARTH

Pretty

flamingoes Think pink even more and read our pink-themed garden ideas on p21.

Whether you see them as fun and fabulous, delightful or tacky, kitsch or cool, these retro decorations have endured for decades and are still flocking to lawns and patios!

American sculptor Don Featherstone was the creator of the iconic pink flamingo lawn ornaments in 1957, which rose to popularity in the 1980s.

And they’ve come back to ruffle their tail feathers.

Interestingly, the original sculpture wasn’t modelled on a live flamingo.

Instead, Featherstone turned to a copy of National Geographic for inspiration. There are even two birds from 1980 which feature in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and are described as “one of the best-known icons of American pop-culture kitsch”.

On South African shores, pink flamingoes are standout items of entrepreneurial wire-crafters in markets and on street corners.

Handmade from wire and glass beads, they’ve become pieces of our homegrown, modern culture.

African hear t

In addition to giving your lawn a little character with a quirky twist, pink on green is a great colour combo!

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

11

Dig in

Tackling everyday garden chores will become a breeze and a whole lot more enjoyable with the correct gardening tools in your wheelbarrow. Team Down to Earth SA put together their top 10 1

2

3

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Bow rake A rake is an indispensable tool for people with a yard. Leaf rakes are one of the most commonly used garden items, as they can serve various purposes. However, when it comes to your overall garden, a bow rake is often the best option.

You can still use it to clear leaves or even spread mulch, but it’s just as handy for levelling soil and breaking up hard garden dirt in spring.

Digging fork One of the hardest-working tools in any gardener’s arsenal, a garden fork is a multi-purpose piece of equipment. It can be used to aerate lawns, break up compacted soil, create holes for seeds, mix in soil treatment, remove stones and weeds, and soften tough ground.

Its sharp and strong tines can penetrate difficult terrain more easily than a spade.

Gloves Thorns and splinters are as annoying and uncomfortable as they’re preventable with a good pair of gardening gloves. Gardening tasks can wreak havoc on your hands, leaving them sore and irritated. Thankfully, there’s a huge range of gloves available, offering better protection and comfort than ever before.

12

DOWN TO EARTH

Hand trowel A hand trowel is a small tool that’s essential for planting, transplanting and potting. Look for one with a sturdy connection between blade and handle, as well as a comfortable grip on the handle to avoid hand fatigue and give you optimal control.

4

Hori hori Made from steel and bamboo, this multipurpose garden tool cuts, digs and saws through roots and weeds, and makes dividing plants a breeze.

Based on a Japanese design, the hori hori (which, loosely, means “dig dig”) is one of any gardener’s best friends.

5

Long-handled pruner (loppers) Another cutting tool, loppers are basically long-handled pruners used to trim hard-to-reach areas and cut thicker branches. The long handles provide the leverage needed to cut through branches up to 3cm or more in diameter. There are anvil and bypass types, just like pruners.

6

Secateur Also known as pruning shears, pruners or clippers, a garden secateur is a very useful hand tool around the garden. You’ll need it for trimming and shaping plants and shrubs, and for removing dead growth. A high-quality secateur will last a very long time, stay sharper for longer, be able to handle thicker branches and be more comfortable to use, so it’s worth investing in the best one you can afford.

7

Spade These short-handled, square shovels are garden workhorses. They make it easy to dig holes for plants, edge, lift sod and move small mounds of dirt from one area to another. This tool can be a little pricy, but a good one will last you the rest of your gardening life.

7

Trowel A trowel is great for planting bulbs and dividing perennials. It’s also excellent for cutting through clay soils.

9

Wheelbarrow A wheelbarrow is ideal if you have a large backyard to cultivate, assisting you in many tasks.

You can use it to move dirt, compost, bricks, stones and stacks of leaves smoothly across your property.

It’s also the perfect tool for transporting new seedlings to your flowerbeds.

10

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness, but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

– John Keats

Down to Earth SA magazine supports and encourages planetary and environmental awareness downtoearth@isikhova.co.za | www.isikhova.co.za

Independently published by Isikhova Media (Pty) Ltd

DOWN TO EARTH

15

Your kitchen garden

Handy tips for creating a kitchen garden to stimulate and delight your senses • Factor in fragrance. Plant pathways with pennyroyal that releases a mint fragrance as one walks over it, or pots of violas that exude a sweet fragrance.

•

Use decorative and colourful vegetables to create a pleasing picture. Alternate rows of dark and light green leafy vegetables such as spikey artichokes as feature plants and silver foliage plants like silvery santolina for contrast, which also acts as a natural insect-repellent.

"MUST-HAVE" HERBS INCLUDE:

• When combining vegetables and herbs, use companion planting principles that allow one to prevent many pests and diseases.

Thyme – a small, bushy perennial that needs full sun and tolerates poor soil. An excellent first aid antiseptic and anti-fungal herb, it helps fight respiratory infections and acts as a tonic. It's also a useful culinary herb to enhance any meal.

Another popular variety is lemon thyme, which adds a lemon fragrance and flavour to food and is delicious as a herbal tea.

Parsley – grows best in full sun and likes deep, fertile soil that drains well. It's a natural multivitamin and mineral that should be eaten daily. Italian parsley is more able to withstand frost and it grows into a bigger plant, about 80cm high, compared with garden parsley which is rounder, more compact, and 30-60cm high. Set out new plants every six months.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Sweet basil – an annual that grows quickly and easily, doing best in full or morning sun. It needs well-composted soil and regular watering. One of the most popular culinary herbs which has a special affinity with tomatoes, it can be used in any tomato sauce, soup, Mediterranean vegetable dish, pastas or salads.

16

DOWN TO EARTH

Bottling Sunshine Yellow is, without a doubt, the best colour to introduce into the garden for instant warmth and punch. Yellow is effective in all seasons and will add a splash of sunshine to plain green plantings or brighten up a patch of shade.

It goes without saying that sunflowers are the happiest of all plants. They thrive in heat, are magnificent as cut flowers and will attract butterflies and bees.

One of the easiest annuals to grow, marigolds thrive in full sunshine and do well in almost any soil type. Plant generously for the control of pests around vegetables and ornamental plants.

Sunflower

Gerbera daisies, the fifth most-used flower in cut-flower arrangements, were named after Traugott Gerber, a botanist and physician in the 1700s.

d a is y Gerbera

Marigold

The fuzzy, fragrant flowers of the indigenous South African acacia tree vary from buttery yellow to gold hues.

Chrysan th

em um

Chrysanthemums, or simply “garden mums”, are a favourite in gardens for their bright, daisy-like flowers.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

A ca cia

Photo by Jess Bailey Designs from Pexels

DOWN TO EARTH

17

Suggestions for what to plant in an orange flower garden Im a

ge

by mi Di

t ris

Vet sikas from Pi x

ab ay

Orange

Marigolds

Begonias

Zinnias

Roses

Orange pincushions Im

ag

e by

zre na t

e f r o m Pix a b a y

you glad !?

Gazanias

Clivias

Aloes

Birds of Paradise

African daisies

Orange is a colour that’s easy to love – especially in a garden. It has a bold and daring personality that screams “notice me!”. Add vibrance into your garden beds and containers with hues of this colour.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

18

DOWN TO EARTH

Moonlig

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

19

Image by Fathima Shazna from Pixabay

White gardens are still very much on trend, with everything from white plants to white décor, white arbors, trellises, patio furniture and even sheds.

This is an easy way to create a chic, harmonious environment that works for modern, cottage-style and formal gardens. It even works on your small balcony or in your rooftop space!

Image by Hartono Subagio from Pixabay

Not only are luminous blooms beautiful to look at, but many of them have intense – and even therapeutic – night fragrances. They add a serene, magical and romantic quality to any setting.

ght serenade

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Cool and refreshing by day, white flowers come into their own at dusk

“A twilight garden needn’t be large.

It can be part of the main garden, or situated near a patio. In this garden, it’s best if the design’s kept simple and uncluttered, with well-lit paths constructed from light-coloured paving.

A suitable focal point could be a small pool where moonlight is reflected in the water. White and stone urns, statues and benches are more visible,” says Life is a Garden. We agree!

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

20

DOWN TO EARTH

Grow your own

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

21

What you need to know Growing your own food is easy and healthful. Everybody can grow vegetables – it simply depends on your soil, seed quality, water and sun. To ensure a successful crop from your seeds, the first consideration is your soil. Healthy soil = healthy plants = healthy people!

Gilda and Linda Gilvad from Sought After Seedlings share these essentials:

1.

Choose the location of your vegetable planting in a space that receives at least five hours’ sunlight per day.

2.

Bear in mind shadows from tall trees, buildings (especially those of your neighbours) and wind tunnels. Also remember that the winter sun is lower in the sky.

3..

If your soil isn’t in good condition (ie too much clay or too sandy), add copious amounts of organic matter from your own compost heap, dried leaves or grass cuttings without seeds in them. If you can get manure from a good source which doesn’t use antibiotics or hormones on its animals, that’s first prize! Make sure you dry your manure out before digging it into your soil, or simply buy a good organic compost.

4.

Should your area have really irretrievably bad soil, simply raise your beds with wood, bricks, gum poles, etc or use pots – especially if you only have a patio or balcony. If this is the case, mix your “new” soil with lots of compost and fill your area.

5.

The soil should be loamy and sweet-smelling.

6.

Germination of seeds can take place in seedling trays or directly in situ (in the ground).

7.

Plant your seeds 1,5 times the size of the seed in depth. Remember that these tiny seeds shouldn’t be planted too deeply, as they won’t be able to grow out of the soil. Water your planting site before you plant and very lightly after you do so. Tiny seeds can wash out of seedling trays or away in the garden, so use a fine rose spray or a bottle-top waterer to prevent this from happening.

8.

A light sprinkling of sifted compost over the seeds will be appreciated by them.

9.

Never omit mulch. Bear in mind that thick mulch will be difficult for a tiny plant to push through, so limit it to allow space for growing.

10.

Using good-quality seeds will give you good germination, so don’t use too many seeds in one planting space, as you’ll have to thin the small plants out, which is a waste.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Water every da y with love and en joy watching your garden grow. It’s all pa rt and parcel of be ing garden-wise!

22

DOWN TO EARTH

Bee Bees are crucial for food production.

They provide pollination to pollinationdependent crops in the country. All land custodians, including urban gardeners, have a role in protecting habitats and food sources for honeybees. A lack of good quality and variety of food for bees can lead to unhealthy colonies which are at greater risk of pests and diseases. In SA and worldwide, the bacterial disease “foulbrood”, caused by the sporeforming bacterium Paenibaccillus larvae, is spreading rapidly – with devastating consequences.

For more information on “foulbrood”, click here.

(Left, from top): Jasmine, aloes, lavender and strelitzias.

HOW TO CREATE A BEE-FRIENDLY GARDEN

Pe

1

xe

ls

/P

ix a ba

y

2

3

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Grow flowering plants with purple, blue, yellow and violet petals, as bees prefer these colours.

Create a few shallow water depressions in the garden – bees need clean water and prefer shallow puddles to deeper bird baths or running water features.

Standout plants to attract bees include aloes, star jasmine, lavender, euryops daisies, proteas, strelitzias, coral trees, sweet thorn and buffalo thorn.

DOWN TO EARTH

Hollyhocks

Hibiscus

Petunia

Stargazer oriental lilies

Pink perfection Pink continues to be one of the most popular colours in gardening.

Whether you opt for bright, hot, neon pinks or the more demure soft and gentle pastel hues, this is a choice to both excite and calm.

Enjoy our pink bouquet.

Begonias

23

Bougainvillea

Orchid

Hydrangea

Celosia

Here are a few ideas for adding this popular colour to your outdoor living spaces

Impatiens

Butterfly bush

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Geraniums

24

DOWN TO EARTH

Be an urban greenie

– the organic way

A perfectly groomed, lush, green lawn sets the tone of a garden – and most gardeners are prepared to spend a lot of money on fertiliser, herbicides and water to achieve this. However, it’s possible to have a lovely, green organic lawn without an expensive maintenance programme. Most important is that we should all enjoy the pleasures of a healthy lawn so that we, our

kids, friends, pets and the natural garden life can frolic and flourish without the risk of contamination from toxic lawncare chemicals.

Talborne Organics shares some great pointers on to how to plant a new organic lawn and convert an established lawn to an organic one: Planting an organic lawn Step 1. Prepare soil by digging to loosen compacted soil and remove stones, shrubs, weeds or building rubble in the topsoil.

Step 2. Condition the soil by spreading 250-500ml Fertilis and 200ml dolomitic lime onto it for every 1m². Till these into the soil and rake it to a perfectly level surface.

Step 3. Sprinkle 100g per m² of Vita Grow 2:3:2 (16) for strong and healthy roots.

Step 4. Lay down roll-on lawn or plant runners. For planting lawn seeds, spread over the surface as directed on the seed packet.

Spread a thin layer of topsoil over the seeds until just covered.

Step 5. Water immediately and thereafter daily (depending on cli-

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

25

Growing Health

matic conditions) to prevent drying until the seeds have germinated and roots have established.

Converting an established lawn to an organic one Step 1. If the soil under the lawn is compacted or contains building rubble, dig up the worst parts to refresh and replant it. If a dry “thatch” has built up, remove it by raking it gently without creating bare patches. If the lawn isn’t in a bad condition, aerate the soil with a garden fork for a small area, or with a lawn-aerating roller for extensive areas.

Available in the following sizes:

500ml (makes 100L), 1L (makes 200L)

Step 2. If the lawn is weed-ridden, try to remove the weeds by hand. As weeds grow best in acid or compacted soils often caused by using chemical fertilisers, avoid the use of herbicides by adjusting the soil’s pH. This is done by dusting the soil with agricultural (dolomitic) lime at 30ml per m² and repeating the application every three months until the weeds die out.

100% Plant based, made from Potato and Sugar Beet Approved for Organic Growing Grow nutrient dense food and climate resilient plants No preservatives or artificial growth stimulants Ideal for Organic Vegan and Vegetarian growing No Odour

Step 3. Improve the soil structure by applying a top dressing as follows: For heavy clay or sandy soils: Mix three parts lawn dressing or fine compost to every one part Fertilis Earthworm Castings. Spread at a rate of two litres per m² and then sprinkle 100g Vita Grow 2:3:2 (16) organic fertiliser.

Step 4. Water well and regularly in spring and summer. Ensure leaves dry off before nightfall to prevent fungal disease from developing.

Step 5. Fertilise with Vita Green 5:1:5 (16) organic fertiliser every four to five months at 100g per m² to maintain a stunning green and healthy lawn, good enough to play on!

INPUT: Organic EU (CU 833864)

Directions for use: • • • •

Shake NOURISH before use Mix 5ml per 1 Litre of water Use diluted product within 6 hours Apply as a foliar spray or soil drench.

Suitable for irrigation systems, drippers, micro-sprayers, or fertigation • Feed every 14 days or as required

• Remember, a product like Vita Organic fertiliser is your guarantee of pure performance in your garden!

www. talborne.co.za

DOWN TO EARTH

Photo by Autmn Goodman on Unsplash

26

“Roses d o n’t b l oom h u rrie d ly, fo r b e a u ty – l i k e a ny m aste rpie c e – ta k es tim e to b l ossom.”

– Matshona Dhliwayo, philosopher and writer

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

27

La vie

en rose

Queen of all beauty and magnificence in the garden is none other than the rose, whether it’s climbing over an arch, spilling over a container, growing in a ball-shaped topiary or in a group planting in a formal setting. Of course, keeping “Your Royal Highness” in tip-top health so that she can perform her royal duties without fault is essential. Here are some tips to court favour!

• It's absolutely crucial that roses get at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, where they set the most bloom and are more resistant to disease.

•

Dig a hole 60cm deep and wide. Fill it with water and leave it to drain. If you've planting several roses, prepare the entire bed in the same manner.

•

Always add large quantities of compost to the dug-out soil to ensure good drainage and aeration.

A good rule of thumb is half compost, half existing soil. A handful of bone meal can be mixed in as well. Fertiliser shouldn't be applied at all!

•

Mulching is essential for roses to keep their roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Lawn clippings, bark chips and pine needles make for a good mulch.

• Roses need a lot of water, so give them a good deep soaking once a week, supplemented by a light watering once or twice a week.

• The more you water roses during their growing season, the longer their stems will be.

•

If the leaves develop yellow veins, it's more than likely a nutrient deficiency. Correct the deficiencies with a balanced rose fertiliser. Always remember to water well after fertilising.

• To extend the flowering period of a rose and to continue producing flowers, remove old flowers and rose hips that have formed.

• Roses only need a light pruning in summer (December and January) and heavier pruning in the winter months.

• Always aerate the soil around the rose bush after pruning. Dig in compost, superphosphate and fertilise.

•

Roses are susceptible to various garden pests and diseases, so keep an eye out for this and spray fortnightly to discourage black spot, beetles and bollworm.

• When watering, try to spray the undersides of the leaves to deter bugs.

• If you're picking roses for the vase, leave at least 50% of them on the bush or it may be too strained.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

28

DOWN TO EARTH

Twelve beauties

A dozen of our favourite rosebuds

Pretty Yende Named after the South African-born world-famous soprano, (@pretty_yende_official)

The Poet’s Wife Beautifully formed, deep-cupped blooms in deep cream with a touch of yellow and a rich, fruity fragrance.

The Peace Rose The world’s most popular rose, over 150 million of these plants have been sold since its introduction just after World War II.

Your Family This rose (named for the erstwhile eponymous magazine) produces large, exhibition-shaped buds and blooms.

Willie Wonka The chocolate brownundertones of this most unusually coloured rose inspired its name.

Blooms for Joy As its name suggests, this rose gladdens anyone!

Claude Monet Named for the great French Impressionist artist, this is a modernistic rose with a variation of colours in each bloom.

Burning Sky This rose is unequalled in its radiance of colour: shades of lavender, purple, bright pink and ruby red emerge as long, pointed buds open.

Just Joey A good rose is a good rose everywhere. This applies to Just Joey named by Roger Pawsey in honour of his wife.

Joseph’s Coat One of the most valuable shrub or climber roses, its medium-sized, shapely yellow buds open and turn orange-red and pink.

Rooibos Rose The performance of this variety over the past three years indicates that it’s set to be one of the rarest top favourites.

Spiced Coffee Unsurpassed in colour, this interesting rose is a blend of pale amber flushed with lavender and pink.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

29

Hang in there!

Stressing about how to care for your summer hanging baskets?

Here are our five top tips:

1

Give flowering hanging baskets a consistent four hours’ daily sunlight for flowering success.

2

Water once daily in hot, dry periods, ideally in the early morning or early evening. In extreme temperatures, it’s advisable to water both in the morning and evening.

3

Fertilise once a week with a reputable liquid fertiliser.

4

Top up hanging baskets periodically with a proven and recognisable potting mix brand. Remember, with regular watering some of the soil leeches out.

5

Pinch off spent flowers to promote new flowers and growth.

With these tips top of mind, you won’t end up a basket case!

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

30

DOWN TO EARTH

Proudly

Vygies

South African

Agapanthus

plants

Red-hot poker

Barleria Pincushion protea

Dietes

Our South African flora, – rich in diversity and colour.

How many of our indigenous species do you have?

Chondropetalum

Freylinia Clivia

Strelitzia

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

32

DOWN TO EARTH

Contain

yourself

Whether your penchant is for terracotta or a glazed finish, square, round, rectangular or something truly unique, there’s a selection out there that will afford gardening creativity second to none. From simple to elaborate, the possibilities are limitless to help you plant the perfect pot.

bold focal points in your garden, as well as on balconies, while also enhancing the design and feel of your living space.

Pots’ versatility in adding instant colour – whether you choose individual plants, mix-and-match varieties, or even vegetables and herbs – means you can adapt your interior or exterior landscapes as seasons change too. And, of course, they provide

Actually, anything can be used as a container, provided it has sufficient drainage holes. Tins, old shoes, suitcases, cooking pots, milk jugs and teapots are also fun options if that’s your eclectic garden style.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

Get

water-wise What does it mean to be a water-wise gardener? It means respecting water, understanding its value, conserving it and using it wisely and responsibly at all times. We need to create gardens that are sustainable and able to withstand the challenges that every season brings.

MEDIUM WATER-USAGE PLANTS Part of our Cape Floral Kingdom, the rich, reed-like Cape reed is stylish and elegant, with graceful foliage.

Plant African daisies for their showy array of flowers in dazzling purples, whites and yellows, which will attract a host of butterflies to your garden.

Sedge grass is dense-forming, low-growing and ornamental, making it ideal for mass planting.

Do so in full sun to take advantage of the contrasting foliage.

DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS

LOW WATER-USAGE PLANTS

Silver carpet: A compact, neat, ground-hugging plant with small yellow, daisy-like flowers. It’s perfect for those tight areas in between stepping stones and sunny courtyards.

Varieties of daylilies: Daylilies come in many colours – yellow, orange, maroon, pink, purple and red. They can be used as a border along a path or driveway and are also suitable for growing in containers.

Bush lily: Magnificent, trumpet-shaped red, orange, yellow or cream flowers in spring.

Ensure you plant it in shaded areas.

Nothing can beat the Cape forget-me-not shrub for ease of growth and flowers which are massively attractive to birds.

New Zealand flax: Ideal for plant structure and linear architectural lines in gardens and containers.

Butterfly bush: With its showy white and pink flowers, this plant will attract beneficial birds and bees.

33

Lavender varieties – with their incredible fragrance, lovely colour and beautiful flowers – will attract beneficial insects, bees and butterflies.

(With thanks to Rand Water Board)

Water-wise gardens focus on plant varieties that thrive with little water. However, no plant is “wrong” in this garden – it simply needs to be in the right zone to use water most efficiently. You can select exotic as well as indigenous plants, as long as you plant them in the appropriate space.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

34

DOWN TO EARTH

Patio

pizzazz SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

35

Outdoor Acapulco 4 legs rattan chair.

R795.00. Leroy Merlin

▲ Colorado nine-piece Alu patio suite.

R9 499,00. House & Home

GOOD TO KNOW

Whether you’re wanting a chic, design-savvy patio area or something a little quirky or more family-orientated, making your outside space work with furniture is all about being you! From design and materials used to colour, durability and practicality, there are exciting inspirations on home soil. Here are some tips to enhance the simple pleasures and garden treasures of the outdoors.

The weather. Is your weather hot and dry, or do you live near the ▼ Charlotte all-weather wicker hanging chair with cushions, grey-brown.

R6 990,00. Patio Warehouse

coast? Does it rain often? Does the midday sun beat down on your outdoor space? These are all important questions to answer before selecting outdoor furniture because outdoor exposure is hard on all furniture, whatever the climate.

Measure your outdoor space. Is it a long and narrow balcony, or a broad and wide deck? Use the area and shape to determine the size of your outdoor furniture and potential groupings it will accommodate.

Remember to leave enough space around your furniture to walk around comfortably.

Where will you place the furniture?

Is your patio/outdoor space exposed to the elements, or do you have any overhead covering? Will your furniture rest on soft ground and grass, or on a hard surface, such as a wooden deck or paved patio? This helps you choose materials that are a good match for your environment and surroundings.

All prices sourced at time of publication. Down to Earth SA cannot be held liable in any way whatsoever for price differences and/or any additional costs involved with delivery or shipping, where applicable.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

•

Outdoor fabrics are durable and water-repellent, but not waterproof. Be sure to protect cushions during downpours and choose or use good-quality fabric that’s fade- and mildew-resistant.

•

If you’re shopping for an outdoor dining set for a wooden deck, consider the chair legs and ensure they won’t get trapped in a gap when you pull the chair out.

•

Look up and consider what could fall onto your outdoor furniture. Does your spot get a lot of birds overhead?

Is there a tree that sheds berries which could stain?

If so, you’ll definitely need to plan to protect your furniture or find another spot to put it.

▲ Keter Troy Adirondack chair – white.

R 2 499,00. Takealot

36

DOWN TO EARTH

“Lekkerste” braai herbs SPRING 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

37

HEALTHY TOMATO SALSA

By Di-Di Hoffman •

This mild, but addictive zesty tomato salsa is low in kilojoules and loaded with healthy phytonutrients and lycopene. Various studies revealed that men who eat lots of tomatoes had a greatly reduced risk of prostate cancer due to the lycopene in tomatoes.

•

This tomato salsa is a delicious match with any braai meal.

It also adds a bright note to any Mexican dish.

•

I prefer to use ripe (red) Jalapeno peppers, but you can use any chilli pepper you like. And if you don’t have fresh peppers, dried peppers will do just as well.

Serves: 4-6 INGREDIENTS • 3-4 ripe tomatoes (preferably vine ripened), diced • 4 spring onions, sliced finely • ½ cup cilantro (fresh coriander leaves, aka danja or dhania), chopped • ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped • 1 Jalapeno chilli pepper, seeded and finely chopped • ½ teaspoon coriander seed, ground • ½ teaspoon cumin, ground • ¼ cup lime juice (or lemon juice)

Not only do we have the best weather for braaiing, but we have the best climate to grow herbs (almost all year round).

Rosemary, a hero braai herb, should be a staple plant growing in your garden. It will thrive growing in a container and equally successfully in almost any soil type. Whole fresh rosemary sprigs will add to your braai aroma when placed on the hot coals and the semi-hard stem can be used as an alternative meat, vegetable or chicken skewer, adding to the deliciousness of your braai. Rosemary is also a great accompaniment herb for chicken and lamb.

Fresh herbs can be used in rubs, marinades, dips, butter, fresh salads, side dishes and salad dressings. If you're wanting to grow the easiest of herbs all year round, I would look no further than;

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste • Cilantro to garnish METHOD 1. Mix all the ingredients in a small serving bowl.

Italian parsley

Coriander

Mint

Thyme

2. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

3. Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.

4. Garnish with fresh cilantro just before serving.

Rocket

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Oregano

Chives

DOWN TO EARTH

Free photos by Pixabay

38

roommates The search for a good night’s sleep can leave you feeling exhausted.

It’s tough enough coping with your day when you’re running on a sleep deficit, it can be even worse when you find yourself stressing out about how to catch up, and counting sheep until all hours of the night, even to sunrise!

Fortunately, there are some natural, gentle sleep aids out there.

Mother Nature has your back when it comes to falling asleep, so try some of these flowers and plants to get a good night’s rest.

You might be surprised just how powerful some of these petals are!

OUR GO-TO ZZZ SELECTIONS Snake plant The snake plant (also known as

Snake plant

Photo by Jake Goossen on Unsplash

Make new

“mother-in-law’s tongue”) is a natural air purifier. It emits oxygen at night that helps you sleep better.

It’s an ideal bedroom plant, tolerant of all levels of light and irregular watering, meaning it can grow almost anywhere.

Aloe vera Releases oxygen at night, which purifies the air and helps you breathe more easily. It likes a lot of sun, so keep it on the windowsill next to your lavender. Its leaves retain water very well, which is why it doesn’t need much.

look great in bedrooms. Place yours on the windowsill and water it regularly during flowering periods.

You can let the top of the soil dry out slightly during non-flowering periods to avoid overwatering.

Jasmine Jasmine’s distinctly sweet scent is linked to reduced anxiety and improved sleep. These plants are quite easy to keep in pots and

Bamboo palm Not only do bamboo plants lend a warm, clean feeling to your entire bedroom, but they’re great for purifying airborne toxins like

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

▼ Bro

benzene and trichloroethylene.

Place them near windows so they can absorb enough light to support their large leaves.

Bromeliad These plants increase oxygen in the evening and absorb carbon dioxide during the day. This means these exotic beauties are always working to keep the air clean. Pair a bromeliad with a bamboo palm to create a clean, tropical experience in your bedroom every night.

"These plants are quite easy to keep in pots and look great in bedrooms."

Chamomile This herb is used in teas, essential oils and other potions that help people relax and unwind. Keep this plant close to your bed, perhaps with a fresh lavender plant, so that you can enjoy their fresh, relaxing aroma all night. Chamomile grows best in cool environments that receive approximately four hours of sunlight a day and requires little watering.

Gardenia Gardenias are fragrant florals which are commonly found in flower gardens. They emit a fresh smell that reduces stress and induces sleep. However, they're sensitive and require specific conditions to thrive, including bright, indirect sunlight, a cool environment, humidity and regular watering.

39

▶ Valerian

▲ Chamomile ◀ Gardenia

Photo by Beverly Buckley fromPixabay

omeliad

DOWN TO EARTH

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Lavender Lavender is a popular bedroom plant often used to create a relaxing environment and reduce stress levels. Smelling lavender before going to bed is thought to promote deeper sleep, so that you wake feeling more rested and energetic. It likes warmth and sunlight, so keep it on your windowsill.

Spider plant This spindly plant is great for absorbing toxins in the air such as odours and fumes. It’s also good at increasing oxygen, helping you breathe easier at night.

Valerian Inhaling the scent from a valerian flower can help you doze off quickly and stay asleep. These flowers are the blooms for you if you battle to drop off at night and want some soft colour in your bedroom. It requires full sunlight and well-drained soil to thrive.

Good night!

DOWN TO EARTH

Igor Josifovic and Judith de Graaff. Urban Jungle Bloggers

40

◀ Gardena City Gardening Holiday Watering Set, which can water up to 36 pot plants. R1 500,00-R2 000,00.

Various online and garden retailers ▲ Solar-powered Gardena AquaBloom irrigation set for balconies and terraces.

R1 995,00-R2 300,00.

Various online and garden retailers

▶ Automatic self-watering bird-design device. R149,18. Banggood online

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

Survivor SA!

Time to leave our urban jungles and go on a well-deserved holiday or visit friends or family. You’ve packed your sunglasses, beach towel and a few books. Now it’s time to prepare your urban jungle for a few days or weeks without your care.

Don’t stress: Igor Josifovic and Judith de Graaff from Urban Jungle Bloggers share tips to ensure your house plants survive your absence!

TIP ONE Find a plant-sitter.

Ideally, ask someone you trust to take care of your plants. Perhaps a neighbour or friend can pop in once a week and give your plants water and some fresh air by opening the window for an hour or two. Make it easier for them by providing written reminders about how much water each plant needs, as well as other specific care instructions. Be creative: you can use little flags or stickers to mark plants that need a lot of water, extra fertiliser or misting.

Walk your plant-sitter through your watering schedule a week or two beforehand. Even easier:

How to care for your indoor plants when on holiday

simply make a little video on your smartphone and send it to your plant-sitting friend, ensuring that you explain what you mean by “a lot” or “very little” water. Is it one cup per week, or an entire watering can per plant?

TIP TWO Make sure your plants are healthy. Certain plants may need fresh potting soil or some air in the potting soil (by making small holes in it with a thin stick, so that water can run through it). Also check your plants for bugs or illnesses and treat them accordingly before you leave, or place the plants in quarantine.

TIP FIVE Plants need light and water to stay alive, especially in summer, so avoid leaving them in a dark room with the curtains or shutters closed. They need a freshsmelling room with medium light and no direct sunlight, so that they aren’t sunburnt.

TIP SIX Remember: more plants die of overwatering than not enough water, so placing them in a bathtub filled with water isn’t always a good idea!

Now head off towards the horizon and enjoy your holiday. Your plants will live!

TIP THREE Group your plants.

This makes watering them easier for your plant-sitter and slightly increases the air humidity if you decide on a self-watering option.

TIP FOUR Some plants don’t like to be moved, like ficus, so don’t move them just for your holiday. If you really want them grouped with your other house plants, move them gradually during the weeks before your holiday.

"Ideally, ask someone you trust to take care of your plants while you’re away and don’t leave them in a dark room."

▶ Lechuza Cube Color 14 self-watering planter.

From R219,00 Yuppiechef

▶ A pot irrigator – a drip watering system that will keep any house plants regularly watered during your absences from home. From R24,90 while on promotion. Leroy Merlin

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

41

▶ Automatic selfwatering glass device.

R180,89. ZANewchic

P U R E

H O N E Y M O O N

M A G I C

Combining luxury and location O’Two is a haven of understated elegance and panache, perfectly situated on Mouille Point’s trendy Platinum Mile and THE most magical location for your honeymoon adventure.

Room options ranging from spacious king rooms to penthouse suites, effortlessly set the stage for an extraordinary celebration of your marriage. O’Two is the ideal space to unwind and leave all your your wedding planning and stress behind you. Set just metres from the ocean and offering spectacular views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Cape Town Stadium.

Nearby attractions such as the V&A Waterfront, one of Cape Town’s most famous shopping and dining destinations adds to O’Two’s prime location, surrounded by the city’s most popular sights and stunning natural beauty.

O’Two - where meticulous attention to detail and personalised service reign supreme.

+27 (0)21 180 4433 reception@otwo.co.za www.otwo.co.za

Click HERE to book your honeymoon and all your other life adventures together, NOW!

Sprout it out loud Chat to us & lets grow together

Follow us on social media

Subscriptions E-mail your name to downtoearth@isikhova.co.za with “Subscribe” in the subject line.

General enquiries downtoearth@isikhova.co.za

10th Floor, Metal Box, 25 Owl Street, Milpark, Johannesburg • 011 883 4627 • www.isikhova.co.za

DOWN TO EARTH

45

A green read Jane Griffiths has done it again!

We’re obsessed with all her books – and her latest one doesn’t disappoint

Jane's Delicious Superfoods For Super Health (Sunbird) is a comprehensive guide to more than 150 delicious, nutrient-rich foods which, when eaten as part of a balanced diet, boost our immune system, improve our health and reduce the risk of disease.

From asparagus to zucchini, maca root to shiitake mushrooms, chickpeas to pomegranates and buckwheat to Brazil nuts, the book covers fruits and vegetables, seeds and grains, herbs and spices, nuts, seaweeds, mushrooms and more. A wealth of detailed information is provided on why these foods are good for us, as well as how to maximise their benefits and incorporate them easily into our daily meals.

Written in Griffiths’ practical and entertaining style, and full of fascinating titbits about the history and origins of what we eat, the book also covers food sensitivities and the importance of gut bacteria, kitchen and pantry basics, plus useful tips on smoothies, sprouting, juicing, dehydrating, fermenting and healthy cooking. What’s more, there’s gardening advice for those keen to grow their own superfoods.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

win!

Two readers stand the chance of wining a copy of Jane's Delicious Superfoods For Super Health!

Simply click here to enter

46

DOWN TO EARTH

◀ Ubuntu Chirp 'n Burp bird feeder.

R299,00. Jislaaik Online Shop

▶ Elaine's Birding Terracotta seed bell holder with a small seed bell.

R140,00. Proact Retail

▼ Westermans house feeder.

Available in doublestorey (large) and single-storey (small). Various retail stockists

Twitter following Birding and gardening go hand in hand – and this season is no exception. Garden centres, hardware stores and other retail outlets, both online and in-store, have terrific bird feed and feeder products and ideas. Feeds to consider include seed, suet, peanuts, meal worms, nectar sugars and bird pudding – what a bird buffet!

▼ Westermans wild bird seed bell. Around R65,00 at various retail stockists

▲ Elaine’s birding bird suet, Suet Pop Mega in 550g and 630g sizes. Various in-store and online retailers

Don’t forget to provide water. Birds get most of theirs from eating insects in summer, as well as from berries, but still enjoy a drink now and again. They also love a little bird bath frolic, as water helps remove parasites, cleans their skins and removes oil and dirt from their feathers to keep them in top flight condition.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Gannets also use their wings and feet underwater to pursue their prey.

Gannets are incredibly adept at finding food which is patchily distributed at sea.

Because of their conspicuous white plumage and dramatic plunge-dives, groups of gannets feeding at sea are detectable from great distances, even up to 40 km away for large groups. This makes it easier for gannets leaving the colony to home in on others that have successfully found food.

BirdLife

The Cape Gannet is BirdLife South Africa’s Bird of the Year 2022, with lesson plans and posters for schools plus various merchandise being produced.

the YEAR D of IR 2 0 2 2

B

The Cape Gannet Morus capensis, a breeding endemic in southern Africa, has declined by over 50% in the last 60 years, with ca 135 000 breeding pairs remaining.

Cape Gannets breed in colonies on six coastal islands: three in South Africa and three in Namibia.

South Africa hosts the majority of the global population, with two-thirds of all Cape Gannets breeding at Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the south.

The western colonies, Malgas Island and Bird Island near Lambert's Bay, host 21 000 and 8 000 pairs respectively.

In Namibia, previously the species’ stronghold, it is now considered nationally Critically Endangered, with just 12 000 pairs remaining on Ichaboe Island, 2 200 on Mercury Island and just a handful of pairs remaining on Possession Island raising concern that this colony is close to extinction.

There are three gannet (genus Morus) species globally; Northern Gannet, Australasian Gannet and Cape Gannet, of which the Cape Gannet is the only globally threatened species.

SOUTH

PHOTO: @chrisfallowsphotography

PHOTO: Lloyd Edwards - Raggy Charters

The spectacle of a mass feeding flock of gannets is an unforgettable experience.

AFRICA

Giving Conservation Wings

If you would like to support BirdLife’s work to conserve the Cape Gannet, African Penguin and other coastal seabirds visit our website www.birdlife.org.za or contact Dr Alistair McInnes alistair.mcinnes@birdlife.org.za

CAPE T NE G AMN pensis orus ca

48

DOWN TO EARTH

2

1

Under the tree

3 6

Thinking fun, funky and fabulous? Outdoors, indoors?

To wear, to feel good and look good? Then take a sneak peek at what’s under our tree this festive season!

11 12

10 SPRING/SUMMER 2021

DOWN TO EARTH

4

49

5

7

8

9

13 15 14 1. Printed scatter cushion 50 x 50cm. R129,99, Sheet Street 2. Kids’ slim blue floral Havaianas. R226,00, Superbalist 3. Gold Armour extra-large double-parachute camping hammock (Hawaii Blue). R1 361,00, Local Llama 4. Transparent Intex tube 97cm with handles. R119,98, The Crazy Store 5. Garden stone ornaments. R17,99, Pep Home 6. Navy floral slim-fit swimming trunks. R279,00, Woolworths 7. The Dream by Henri Rousseau, The Watch. R1 670,00, Swatch 8. Cool Daisy shower gel, R115,00. Vegan Range – The Body Shop 9. Woza Moya handmade wire protea flowers. R165,00 each, Woza Moya 10. Garden gnome outdoor statue. R472,00, Ubuy 11. Flower Power puzzle. R250,00, Big Blue 12. Jane's Delicious Gardener's body products: sunscreen 100ml – R150,00; Green Goodness Balm – R145,00, Jane’s Delicious Garden 13. Portable gardening tool bag with multi-function gardening kit. R396,28, Newchic 14. Tretchikoff red poinsettias cosmetic bag. R349,00, Tretchikoff, The Official Online Store 15. Jeanne Arthes Love Generation Rock EDP 50ml. R259,00, Dis-Chem All prices sourced at time of publication. Down to Earth SA cannot be held liable in any way whatsoever for price differences and/or any additional costs involved with delivery or shipping ,where applicable.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Make your brand voice reach take root and really grow with Down to Earth SA

Book your brand slots & social media campaigns now Call Jenny Justus on 011 833 4627 / 083 450 6052 or email jenny@isikhova.co.za

10th Floor, Metal Box, 25 Owl Street, Milpark, Johannesburg • 011 883 4627 • www.isikhova.co.za