sa
You’ll dig it!
PATIO PIZZAZZ
The bulb & the beautiful
22
gardening trends
Ode to
autumn
FREE
OST S, M UR OOM O TO U S B L . . . S R IO E C E H PR OT M OUR Wishing you a wonderful and magical Mother’s Day All at Team
See page 18 for some blooming marvellous ideas
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EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief & Publishing Director Jason Aarons jason@isikhova.co.za Editor Deborah Hele deborah@isikhova.co.za Creative Director Joanne Brook joanne@isikhova.co.za Guest Contributor Jenny Slabber, Talborne Organics Wordsmiths Khwezi Makeba and Zack le Roux Pictures Editor Amahle Jali Copy Editor Anne Phillips BUSINESS
Editor-in-Chief's
message
"It's the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, toasty marshmallow evenings and, best of all, leaping into leaves!" ~ Winnie the Pooh, Pooh's Grand Adventure. How right he is. In fact, I’ve decided to share this page with him.
Aside from our favourite bear’s astute observations, autumn is a season to be over the (harvest) moon about. It brings with it a treasure trove of hues which are quite spectacular, magical and extraordinary indeed. And who can deny Pooh’s sheer delight at “leaping into leaves”? One of my very own favourite pastimes in autumn – and a great stress-reliever too. And there’s nothing quite like that “scrunching” sound! According to The Encyclopaedia of Superstitions, there's a popular belief that "as many falling leaves as can be caught in the hand in autumn, so many happy months will follow". Our storybook of seasonal enchantment not only captures true autumn gardening in magnificent burnished oranges, yellows, subtle magenta shades, reds, purples and browns, but in unexpected bright palettes and must-have’s you’ll really fall for. So it's with great pleasure that I invite you to turn our pages’ “leaves” and catch your own autumn bounty and deliciousness! PS: As Oscar “season” ends, did you know no film with “autumn” in its title has ever won an Oscar? The Virgin Spring (1960), Summer of ’42 (1971) and The Lion in Winter (1968) provide the other seasons one statue apiece. I still remain optimistic. Jason
Managing Director Imraan Mahomed imraan@isikhova.co.za Director: Brand Strategy Jenny Justus jenny@isikhova.co.za Operations Director Thuli Majola thuli@isikhova.co.za Marketing Director Lamees Mahomed lamees@isikhova.co.za Advertising Manager Ruwayda Mahomed ruwayda@isikhova.co.za 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 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-inChief, 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 © 2022. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers.
savvy thinkers smart doers together people
AUTUMN 2022
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Contents 5
COVER STORY There is no place like home as we discover House & Home’s perfect patio offerings
6
ODE TO AUTUMN A season of kaleidoscopic splendour and delight
8
DELIGHTS & DISCOVERIES Great finds for your garden and home
10
AND ACTION! If you thought autumn was time to start cocooning, think again
14
PERFECT PRUNING Pruning advice to avoid being overwhelmed by overgrown
15 16
MARVELLOUS MULCH An integral part of autumn gardening VERY PERI, VERY BEAUTIFUL Pantone’s Colour of the Year is a garden essential
18
MOTHER’S DAY MAGIC Fabulous, different and magical gift ideas for moms
21
WIN! Five cases (12 bottles per case) of Tangled Tree wine from Van Loveren
22
TIME FOR SEED Get down to earth and sow your garden seeds
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25
THE BULB AND THE BEAUTIFUL Now's the time to plant winter- and springflowering bulbs
26
A HARVEST FESTIVAL IN YOUR ORGANIC GARDEN Find out just how easy this is
28
IT’S COOL TO GARDEN IN AUTUMN Magical, temperate days to inspire you to action
30
THE LOVE BUGS Bugs to do your dirty work and fight off pests
32
BERRYLICIOUS! Meet nature’s superfruits
33
MIXED BERRY YOGHURT SMOOTHIE The perfect way to start your morning or enjoy during the afternoon
34
INSIDE OUTSIDE No matter what the size of your patio or outdoor space, creativity and fun abound
35
APRIL FLOWERS REIGN SUPREME Those born in the month of April are lucky enough to have two birth flowers
Tretchikoff Official Online Store
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WHAT KIND OF GARDENER ARE YOU? Get in touch with your own “variety”
40
GET SMART Down to Earth’s pick-ofthe-bunch smartphone plant apps
congrats
to Elize de Jager and Shaneen Rivers, who each won a copy of Jane's Delicious Superfoods for Super Health.
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Make the most of sunny winter days with trendy outdoor living essentials for less. 4-Piece Monaco Patio Suite
From statement pieces to stylish suites, we bring you longer-lasting outdoor essentials at our lowest prices guaranteed. View our outdoor living range at www.houseandhome.co.za and use code 10WINTER2022 when purchasing any non-advertised patio suite to get 10% off in-store and online. Valid until 31 May 2022. Ts & Cs apply.
Moon Chair
4-Piece Michelle Patio Suite
4-Piece Hampton Patio Suite
There’s no place like
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When it comes to selecting perfect patio suites, then smart on-trend styling, versatile design, quality and absolute comfort, are priorities in making your outdoor experience one to remember. Our autumn cover features House & Home’s ‘Michelle 3 Piece Patio Set’, a hand-woven UV-resistant wicker set available in three different configurations and which makes for quite a showstopper. It creates a modern, fresh and elegant outdoor living space and is easy to clean, made for all weather conditions, warm and welcoming.
There is no place like house and home!
What we really like about it is that it can be as comfortable and inviting as your interior living room and its timeless design makes it a fabulous option for those who want to create a seamless flow between their indoor and outdoor spaces. Back to the UV-resistant wicker. Its other advantages include: • Weather-resistant • Colour-fast • Strong and durable in high and low temperatures • Non-stretch polyester fibre core prevents sagging • Non-toxic
Handwoven UVresistant wicker Versatile design Up to three different configurations Cushions included
• Resistant to salt water and chlorine • 100% recyclable The Michelle is a great way to sit back under the sun and stars and enjoy laid-back, relaxing autumn days and the unique intimacy and romance of the season’s nights. Take a seat!
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Ode to
autumn Viola
A season of kaleidoscopic splendour and delight ◀ Antirrhinum (snapdragon)
Hyacinth
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Gazania varieties Azalea
Cineraria There really is no season quite like autumn, with its flaming oranges, reds, bronze and burgundy foliage along with yellow, brown, rust and magenta hues to astound and delight our senses – and, of course, highlight and accentuate our gardens. So add a bit of zest to see in the colder months with colour. Sweetpeas
Felicia amelloides (kingfisher daisy)
Allysum
Ranunculus
Poppies
Pansy
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Delights & discoveries Four-litre Veggie pot. R60,00.Vertical Veg
Black line drawing vase. R505,00. Knus
Black and purple flower jug. R500,00. House of Sofia
African Mix – colour vinyl wall tiles. 10 x 10 pack of 12. R250,00. Ahsan Store
Masterstock Cape flower and fruit set. R239,00. Faithful to Nature
Brockytony hydrolised clay pebbles for orchids. R89,00. Yuppie Chef
Gawk Ubuntu Chirp 'n Burp bird-feeder. R520,00. madebyartisans
Planter/Bowl yellow daisy. R490,00. Jenny Robert Exclusive Décor
Paperweight ball flower. Around R900,00. Various
All prices sourced at time of publication. Down to Earth SA cannot be held liable in any way whatsoeve
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Some great finds for your home and garden
DIY metal art, Tequila rustic garden sculpture. Nine Leaves. R276,02. Wish.com
Gecko metal wall feature (58cm). R390,00. Sproose
Rose pot white. R550,00. NetDécor
Autumn mix bee food box. R25,00. Reel Gardening
Red blossom napkins. R239,00. The Cape Art Company
Ntombi woven placemat. R89,99. Mr Price Home
Printed outdoor chair pad. R64,99. Pep Home
Boy and girl metal plant pot-holder. R680,00. CrafteMarket
Garden gnomes metal art. R950,00. Art on Steel
er for price differences and/or any additional costs involved with delivery or shipping, where applicable.
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action!
And
If you thought autumn was time to start cocooning, think again
Autumn conditions are ideal for dividing, planting, fertilising and trimming. Here are some essential tips to keep you busy…. BULBS When the ground has cooled down, it’s time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like hyacinths, daffodils, ixias, sparaxis, anemones, ranunculus, waterblommetjies and leucojums Indoor bulbs such as prepared hyacinths can also be planted now. (See our main feature, The Bulb and the Beautiful, on p25.)
FLOWERS Remove summer annuals that are faded and replace with pansies, primulas, stocks, calendulas and petunias for lovely winter colour. Sow hardy flower seeds like primulas, sweetpeas, stocks, Namaqualand daisies, delphiniums, gazania and Iceland poppies. Continue spraying your roses with an organic insecticide on a fortnightly basis to prevent both fungal and disease attacks. Continue to prune your roses lightly, removing dead and diseased wood at the same time. This will encourage flowering until winter.
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VEGETABLES, HERBS AND FRUIT Plant fruit-bearing berry bushes/ vines such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Plant vegetable seedlings like cabbage, spinach, beetroot, cauliflower and leafy greens like pak choi, tat soi, mizuna and Chinese cabbage.
Refresh your plants in containers Now’s the time to pull out your drab-looking summer plants and replace them with fresh plant material for the autumn and upcoming winter months.
Sow vegetable seeds like broad beans, broccoli, beetroot, Swiss chard, carrot, cabbage and leeks. Plant winter culinary herbs like thyme, oreganum, chervil, parsley and sage. Cut and dry herbs for use in winter. Citrus trees can be fed with 2kg of rose food and 75g of magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts). Continue to take precautions against slugs and snails. PONDS Continue feeding pond fish. Check filters on pumps to ensure they aren’t blocked. Remove any plant material that’s fallen into the pond to prevent the build-up of disease. Net the pond to prevent leaves falling into it.
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"Now’s the time to pull out your drab-looking summer plants." LAWNS
GENERAL TASKS
This is an ideal time to create a new lawn using seed or grass plugs.
Start feeding the birds – hang up some feeders with a variety of seeds and suet balls to attract different birds to your garden.
Continue fertilising your lawn with a reputable brand.
Clear up any fallen leaves and other dead plant material to prevent diseases from overwintering. Plant new shrubs and trees to ensure a good start in spring, as roots will have time to establish through the winter months. Divide and split perennials and groundcovers like agapanthus, dietes, red-hot pokers, ornamental grasses, day lilies, alstromerias and asters. Transplant plants that are in the wrong positions in autumn so that they have time to settle in during the winter months. Prune back and clean out hedges. Mulch your beds with lawn clippings, fallen leaves and bark chips to keep roots warm. Start your own compost heap. Alternatively start your own wormery – to create the best garden compost you’ll ever lay your hands on. It’s easy and effectively takes care of your organic kitchen waste like vegetable and fruit peelings, stale bread, coffee grindings, teabags, leftover cooked rice and pasta. With these tips and, of course, more autumn advice and adventures in this issue, you’ll be ready for quite a garden party come spring and summer!
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Perfect pruning Pruning is essential for healthy, beautiful plants. Here’s how to do it expertly
“Why prune?” you may ask. It’s really quite simple: to keep a plant healthy and remove branches that are infected by disease or damaged by animals or storms. Pruning controls plants’ shape and size, allowing more flowers and fruits to be produced and encourages growth. Pruning tools There’s a cutting tool for each task. Look for equipment made from high-quality material – although costly, it will last a lifetime. Use sharp, clean secateurs for cuts up to 1cm. Use loppers for cuts up to 2cm. Use a bow saw or pruning saw for larger cuts. Use shears for trimming hedges and cutting back background cover roses and lavender. If you’re pruning for the first time, ensure you seek expert advice from your garden centre or a trained professional first.
THREE TOP TIPS REMEMBER When learning how to prune a tree, make sure you wear gloves, safety goggles and appropriate clothing to prevent any accidents.
Always cut above a branch, leaf or bud. Don’t leave a snag of wood, as this may lead to a disease infection. If buds open on the plant you’re pruning are opposite each other, cut straight across the stem about 0,5cm above the buds. If the buds are on alternate sides of the stem, choose a bud that’s pointing in the direction you want to grow. Cut at an angle, pointing in the same direction as the bud and about 0,5cm above it.
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Marvellous Mulching is an important garden management technique you can use if you’re looking to transform your gardens into water-wise outdoor areas and is an integral part of autumn gardening too. Benefits • Conserves soil moisture: The most familiar benefit gained from mulching is soil moisture. Adding some mulch keeps the soil from drying out and cracking. It also reduces the need for frequent watering. • Suppresses the growth of weeds: Weeds are considered one of the most crucial issues gardeners have to deal with. Through mulching, you can stop the growth of weeds and eventually kill them. Before you mulch, it would be helpful to pull out or cut overgrown weeds first. Then apply the mulch deep enough to block sunlight from penetrating and to prevent the weeds from germinating. • Adds nutrients to the soil: Over time, various types of mulch will break down into the soil. This will add nutrients to the soil and improve its quality and structure. • Improves the look of the garden: Mulching gives the garden a finished and clean look by filling in empty spaces. What's even better is that it's very easy to maintain and it doesn’t compete with your plants in the garden. • Maintains soil temperature: Just as it conserves the moisture in the soil, mulch also maintains the temperature around the soil. It keeps the soil cool during warm days and warm during the cold nights.
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• Prevents soil erosion: Not only does mulch keep water in the soil, but it also prevents soil run-off and erosion. The mulch breaks the fall of water, which in turn lessens the impact of the water when it falls on the ground. Organic mulching materials are available in several different types from your local garden centre, with popular choices including: • Bark chips • Crushed stone • Fallen leaves • Garden compost • Grass clippings • Sawdust • Macadamia nut shells • Peach pips • Wood chips Inorganic mulches can also be used to similar effect and although they don't break down and provide nutrients to garden beds, they have the advantage of being durable and longer-lasting. Examples include: • Pebbles • Gravel chips and • Dump rock.
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Very Peri is a “very” flower-friendly colour – and the palette that encompasses it is bursting with tints, tones and shades sure to please, says the Floral Design Institute.
Very Peri,
Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri (“Very Beautiful”) – described as “a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone” – is Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2022. Pantone adds that it “blends the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red”. It’s a colour promising to bring joy as the “happiest and warmest of all the blue hues”.
very beautiful There’s a bevy of flower choices to market alongside the Colour of the Year buzz
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While some might think their description is somewhat, well, flowery, it certainly captures the floral imagination!
It can easily be paired with an array of warm or cool colours such as lilac, deep purple and lavender, as well as muted reds and greens for a show-stopping effect. Very Peri blends wonderfully with a wide variety of shades – whites, pinks, blues, yellows, orange and bold emerald greens – which add a pop of stunning vibrancy to any garden. Or even a centrepiece vase and a floral bouquet!
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magic 2
Our blooming marvellous selection of beautiful, different and “why didn’t I think of that?” gift ideas for your mom
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Mother’s Day
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11 1. Sakura Blossom Festival candle. small – R190,00; medium – R410,00; large – R490,00. Yankee Candles SA 2. Jenna Clifford – Italian rose teapot. Around R399,00. Various 3. Mixed proteas and roses in crate. R789,95. NetFlorist. 4. Ruffle skirt – stone. R1 150,00. Big Blue 5. Acrylic flower hoop. R200,00. Lovisa 6. Tretchikoff velvet Lotus Flowers cushion cover 50 x 50cm. R550,00. Tretchikoff Official Online Store 7. Longmarket Garden Flowers soap. R85,00. Woolworths. 8. The Frame, By Frida Kahlo. R1 920,00. Swatch 9. Handmade sterling silver necklace with real flowers by Shrieking Violet. R546,25. Silk by Design 10. Rose Turkish Delight. R115,00. Ludwig’s Roses 11. Kalei mini camera crossbody – rose floral. By Guess. R999,00. Superbalist 12. Carmién Floral Berry Pyramid tea ‘20s (1 x 50g). R42,00. Carmién Tea 13. Floating lotus flower bath bomb. R89,00. Lush 14. Satin scarf. One size fits all. R69,99. Mr Price 15. Willow Tree Warm Embrace. Various prices. Online and selected retailers. Willow Tree 16. Wildflowers scented melts gift set. four-piece. R189,00. @home 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.
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win!
Tangled Tree is an eco-friendly wine that has a 60% lower carbon footprint, is unbreakable and ideal to travel with. Our wines promote green living and help reduce the impact of climate change. Inspired by nature, our wines are produced through sustainable farming on the Van Loveren farms, in one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Our durable, light-weight PET bottles are made to accompany you wherever you go and take up much less space. Whether you’re backpacking, loading up the 4×4 or just having a picnic, there’s no risk of a shattered bottle or glass shards spoiling your fun or polluting nature. This wine inspires wanderlust! Follow on Instagram or Facebook @tangledtreewines or order online at vanloveren.co.za
TERMS & CONDITIONS The winner will be contacted by Down to Earth SA via Facebook and will be obliged to provide their contact number and email address. By entering, you consent to having your name published in the Winter 2022 issue and on Down to Earth SA and Van Loveren’s social media platforms. The prize must be taken up as awarded and cannot be transferred to any other person, sold or converted to cash. The competition is open to all residents of South Africa over 18 years of age, except employees of Isikhova Media or Van Loveren.
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Stand a chance to win 5 cases (12 bottles per case) of Tangled Tree wine from Van Loveren
How to enter 1. Like, follow and share our Facebook page here and that of Van Loveren’s. 2. Click here to email your entry! HERE’S TO YOU!
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The need
for seed Get down to earth and sow your garden seeds
Starting plants from seeds is easier than you think and growing plants all the way from seed to maturity is one of gardening’s most rewarding endeavours. Remember being a kid and that feeling of sheer excitement you got when your bean sprout under
a piece of moist cotton wool started budding? It’s much the same with sprouting seeds in your garden that you yourself have planted – you’ll still want to shout and whoop in jubilation! We’re sure our need for these seeds is going to have just that effect.
African or Namaqualand daisies
Bokbaai vygies
Cosmos
Dahlias
Echninacea
English daisy, bellis
Larkspurs
Lupins
Nasturtium
Rudbeckia
Snapdragons
Sunflowers
Sweetpeas
Wildflower seed mixes
Zinnias
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For explosive flavour and goodness, use Kyno KynoVeg Veg for your home-grown edibles. • • • •
Revitalises soil Maximises crop yield Optimises nutrient value 100% nutritional content with no bulking agents
Trusted by farmers since 1919, Kynoch Fertilizers now bring the same quality to your home.
Distributed by
Kynoch 210 x 147.indd 1
www.mangomooncc.co.za marketing@mangomooncc.co.za
01/04/2022 14:00
Sprout it out loud Chat to us & lets grow together
Follow us on social media
Love Birds. Love Your Country. Wherever you are in our country, birds are there with you. In towns, in cities, in villages and on farms, in your garden, in your street. In the bushveld, in the Karoo, in the Kalahari, in our nature reserves. In woodland, in forest, on mountains and in kloofs. On our coasts from Saldanha to Sodwana, offshore, onshore.
Celebrate the joy and the wonder… love birds, love your country.
BirdLife SOUTH AFRICA
Giving Conservation Wings
www.birdlife.org.za
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The bulb and
the beautiful
25
Ornithogalum
Now’s the time to plant winterand spring-flowering bulbs
For the best results, soil should be prepared correctly. This ensures the best use of water and sufficient nutrients for the bulbs. Mix in compost and bone meal or vermicast before planting. Feed with flower bulb food immediately after planting and thereafter at monthly intervals throughout the growing season. Water deeply every four days. If your bulbs are well watered and the soil’s correctly prepared, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking show of flowers. Head to your nearest garden centre for your own bulb show in the making!
Ranunculus
Babiana
"Give your family and friends a grand entrance."
Dutch iris
Sparaxis Freesia Daffodil
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A harvest festival in
your organic garden
Autumn gardening is a period best described as a ‘flurry’, as we rush like squirrels to plant our winter colour beds, vegetables, seedlings, bulb and root veggies while tending to our gardens at large! And getting a superb harvest organically, is really easy! How and when to use Talborne Organics fertilisers Vita Organic fertilizer is a convenient, easy-to-use, complete plant food which supplies all the nutrients required to grow wholesome crops. It’s easy to apply and releases sustainably to feed crops over four months, which slots conveniently into most short crop cycles from planting to harvest. For longer term crops, apply a top dressing after three months to ensure continued cropping. All Vita Organic fertilisers are available at leading garden retailers nationwide. Fruiting vegetables, trees and berries - tomato, brinjals, pepper, chili, pumpkins, citrus & soft fruit trees and berries. Need phosphate & calcium to grow strong roots & structure, nitrogen
for leaf growth and high potassium to stimulate flowers and fruit. Plant with: Vita Grow 2:3:2(16) @ 100g per m2. Top dress: before flowers develop with Vita Fruit & Flower 3:1:5(18) @ 100g per m2 and flourish with Nourish 4:1:6 (11) Buds, Flowers & Fruit liquid organic plant food every 2 weeks or as required for stress relief Root and bulb vegetables potato, carrot, beetroot, sweet potato, onion, garlic Need high phosphate & calcium to grow strong roots and bulbs. Plant with: Vita Grow 2:3:2(16) @ 100g per m2. Top dress with: Vita Green 5:1:5(16) @ 100g per m2. And flourish with Nourish 5:1:4 (10) Multi-Plant liquid organic plant food every 2 weeks or as required for stress relief
Leafy green vegetables and herbs spinach, cabbage, lettuce, rocket, kale, herbs Need nitrogen and potassium for green growth and strong cells. Plant with: Vita Veg 6:3:4(16) @ 100g per m2. Top dress with: Vita Veg 6:3:4(16) @100g per m2 and flourish with Nourish 7:1:2 (10)
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by Jenny Slabber, Talborne Organics
Leafy Greens liquid organic plant food every 2 weeks or as required for stress relief Pods, seeds and legumes - peas, beans, mielies, broad beans Need phosphate and a little nitrogen to grow sturdy plants, then potassium to ensure many flowers, pods and seeds. Plant with: Vita Grow 2:3:2(16) @ 100g per m2. Top dress: before flowers develop with Vita Fruit & Flower 3:1:5(18) @ 100g per m2 and flourish with Nourish 4:1:6(11) Buds, Flowers and Fruit liquid organic plant food every 2 weeks or as required.
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by Jenny Slabber, Talborne Organics The thought of magical temperate days ahead in the cooler garden are enough to inspire us to action. So, let’s get planting, feeding and collecting autumn leaves to make mulch and compost in this time of plenty to be ready for a wonderful winter season. Can I fertilise my garden in winter? Vita and Nourish Organic Fertilisers can be applied any time of the year. The scientific explanation made simple is that water-soluble, fast release chemical fertiliser is salt based so nutrient uptake is by osmosis which requires a capillary action to move the high concentration of nutrients from the water in the soil through the roots to all parts of the plant. Cool weather reduces the transpiration from the leaf surface which reduces the circulation of plant sap so plant tissue can be scarred or damaged as a result. Vita Organic Fertiliser does not contain salts, so nutrients are mostly released by microbial soil life, which naturally adjusts release in cool soils when plant growth slows. Nourish liquid organic plant food is applied either by foliar feeding or soil drenching. It is assimilated quickly by the plant as it is already in 100% plant-based form.
It’s cool to garden in
autumn! How can I protect plants from frost? Many of our favorite plants only flourish in cooler seasons. So just like we need to eat, so plants which are living creatures also need to continue feeding. Potassium is important to ensure strong and hardy cells before the winter season as well as promote lots of flowers so apply Vita Fruit & Flower 3:1:5 in March or April or feed every 2 weeks with Nourish 4:1:6 (11) Buds, Flowers, and Fruit for cool bloomers!
Will my leafy veggies not burn when applying nitrogen in autumn or winter? The nitrogen in Vita Organic Fertiliser is formulated for a sustained release over about four months. The nitrogen sticks to soil particles which acts as a buffet so when the plant needs to take up nitrogen it can access it on demand. Nitrogen in Vita fertilisers should never burn if AUTUMN 2022
applied as per directions. Go ahead and feed leafy greens and herbs with Vita Veg 6:3:4 when planting or with Vita Green 5:1:5 as a topdressing after four months when required. Flourish your leafy veggie and herbs with Nourish 5:1:4 (10) Multi-Plant, apply by either foliar feeding or soil drenching every 2 weeks or as required for stress relief Getting the best bloom when planting colour seedlings The Eco-Green Seedling Food is an all-in-one fertiliser ideal for planting winter colour beds, containers or hanging baskets. The 1kg pink packet covers an area of 5m2 and ensures blooms continue throughout the winter. Apply more seedling food as a topdressing after three months to maintain the blooms. Use Nourish 5:1:4 (10) when propagating or foliar feed new seedlings every 2 weeks for blooming beauty.
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bugs
The love
Like the classic beetle many of us know, these bugs are just as highly spirited
Beneficial insects can be the organic grower’s best friend. Whether pollinators or predators, insects will help manage pests and keep your garden healthy. Let them do the dirty work! Here’s why:
Soldier beetle
Preys on: Grasshop eggs, aphids and s bodied insects.
Attracted by: Golden zinnia, marigold a linden trees.
Fact: Soldier beetl don’t damage plants are harmless to hum
Chemical pesticides: The first and most obvious benefit to using these insects is not having to resort to chemical pesticides. The non-toxic approach allows you to grow plants organically. You won’t have to worry the next time you take a bite out of your home-grown fruit or vegetable. Good bugs: Keep in mind that chemical pesticides don’t only wipe out bad bugs – they’re just as deadly to beneficial ones. This is not advisable for the long-term maintenance of your garden, as there won’t be a population of natural predators to feed on pests. Pesticides may be effective at wiping out of the first wave of pests, but the same can’t be said for the second wave. Cost-savers: Beneficial bugs are there to stay if you’re able to build an environment for them to thrive in. You might not even have to spend money if the beneficial insects are native to your area. Resistance: A number of insects are starting to show greater resistance to chemical pesticides. There’s nothing much a pest can do if it’s getting eaten by a predator, though!
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Mealybug destroy
Preys on: Mealybu (not all species).
Attracted by: Fenn dill, angelica, sunflo and goldenrod.
Fact: One mealyb destroyer can eat u 250 mealybug larv
With acknowledgemen and thanks to Organic Lesson
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Tachinid flies
Braconid wasp
Damsel bug
Green lacewing
pper soft.
Preys on: Gypsy moths, Japanese beetles, cutworms, squash bugs.
nrod, and
Attracted by: Carrots, cilantro, dill, coriander, buckwheat.
Preys on: Tobacco hornworms, tomato hornworms, caterpillars and aphids.
Preys on: Caterpillars, mites, aphids, potato beetles and cabbage worms.
Preys on: Aphids, whitefly, leafhopper, mealybugs and caterpillars of pest moths.
les s and mans.
Fact: Tachinids parasitise pests by laying eggs onto the host or onto nearby foliage.
Attracted by: Fern-leaf yarrow, common yarrow, dill, lemon balm and parsley.
Attracted by: Caraway, fennel, alfalfa, spearmint and Peter Pan goldenrod.
Attracted by: Dill, angelica, golden Marguerite, coriander and dandelion.
Fact: Braconid wasps kills hornworms by laying eggs inside the caterpillar.
Fact: Damsel bug populations can thrive if you provide them with alternative places to hide.
Fact: The larvae do the actual job of getting rid of soft-bodied pests.
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Ladybug
Praying mantis
Spider
Ground beetle
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Preys on: Aphids, whitefly, mites, fleas and Colorado potato beetles.
Preys on: A wide range of pests, including caterpillars, moths, beetles, gnats and crickets.
Preys on: A wide range of bugs, including bed bugs, aphids and roaches, grasshoppers, mosquitoes and fruit flies.
Preys on: Slugs, caterpillars, ants, Colorado potato beetles and cutworms.
Attracted by: Tall grasses and shrubs, cosmos, marigolds and dills.
Attracted by: Tall plants for weaving spiders, mulch for predatory spiders.
Fact: Mantises can turn their heads 180˚ to view their surroundings.
Fact: Most spiders complete their life-cycle in one year.
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Attracted by: Dill, dandelion, fern-leaf yellow, basket of gold and common yarrow. Fact: Ladybugs can consume more than 5 000 aphids during their lifetime.
Attracted by: Evening primrose, amaranthus and clover. Fact: Ground beetles are typically only active at night.
Find out which of these beneficial insects work best for your situation and start planning how to grow the plants to which the insects are attracted. Remember, though, that biological control methods such as using these insects shouldn’t be viewed as immediate solutions. In most cases, it may take a couple of days to a few weeks to see any sort of result. Be patient and ensure you’re playing your part by providing a suitable habitat for beneficial insects to co-exist with your healthy garden. AUTUMN 2022
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Berrylicious!
Berries burst with a host of culinary and medicinal properties and it’s little wonder they’re considered one of nature’s superfruits.
Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) Popular berries that serve as a great source of vitamin K. Planting: Full sun for optimum yield and quantity. Grows best in very acidic soil, needs to be well supplied with moisture. Level of acidity must be maintained. Requires generous amounts of mulch such as straw, sawdust or peatmoss to prevent water loss around the plant and curb weed growth. Raspberries (Rubus iadaeus) Often used in desserts and a very good source of fibre. Planting: Full sun in a well-drained soil. Require a trellis stalking, as they tend to ramble. Water throughout the growth period, cutting back the plant in winter.
Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) Also known as wolfberries. Contain high levels of vitamin A and zeaxanthin, both of which are important for eye health.
Planting: In semi-shade to full sun. Cut back all growth in spring and prune two to three times a year. Ideal to use as a hedge or a stabiliser for sandy banks due to its excellent root system. Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) One of the most commonly consumed berries in the world and also one of the best sources of vitamin C. Planting: Sunny for best ripening, although will grow in partial shade. Well-drained, rich soil with compost dug in, slightly acidic preferred. In autumn and again in early spring, top dress established plants with rich compost or an organic fertiliser. Allow plants to rest in midsummer. Cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana) Low in kilojoules and fat, but rich in dietary fibre, copper, manganese, potassium and vitamins C, B5 and B6. A wonderful, healthy fruit to include in your diet as a snack or a flavourful addition to meals. Planting: Full sun. Spacing of 60cm between plants. Requires regular watering until established. Water thereafter when needed. Well-drained, compost-enriched, loamy soil with added 500g of superphosphate per square metre. Generous layer of mulch.
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MIXED BERRY YOGHURT SMOOTHIE
Packed with healthy berries and bananas, this smoothie is the perfect way to start your morning or enjoy on a relaxed afternoon. Serves 2 Preparation time: 10 mins Ingredients • 2½ cups frozen mixed berries • 2 frozen peeled bananas, cut into chunks • 1 cup vanilla yoghurt • 1½-2 cups milk, plus more as needed • 1T honey, plus more as needed • ½ cup cold water Method • Blend together all ingredients until smooth or in desired consistency. If too thick, add more milk and/or water. • Serve immediately. Garnish with strawberry slices or blueberries, if preferred. Enjoy! Kitchen tips • Add liquid little by little until desired consistency is reached as you blend. Smoothies are definitely all about eyeballing – sometimes you just have to “feel” it when adding the liquid component. • Smoothies are highly customisable. Experiment by adding flavoured yoghurt, different types of milk, fruit or anything you like! • Peel and roughly cut bananas into chunks before freezing. It will make them easier to blend.
Recipe courtesy of Cooking for my Soul AUTUMN 2022
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Inside
outside Paju Design
No matter what the size of your patio or outdoor space, a few fun creature comforts can make it an extension of your home. By selecting items that embrace your personality, you can easily update your patio’s elegance while making it more functional.
And if you want to enjoy your patio beyond summer, make sure your garden furniture is weatherresistant. Furniture made from materials like powder-coated steel, teak and polyresin wicker are built to withstand the elements and last through many seasons. Adding sources of heat and lighting help to keep you outside, but try to add a feeling of cosiness and warmth. To do so, make your patio a true outdoor room by adding the comforts you enjoy indoors: a colourful rug, pillows, throws and blankets to share while you enjoy gazing at the stars. Colour is a sure-fire way to liven up your outdoor space. Make your patio as colourful as possible by incorporating brightly painted outdoor lamps and fun accent pieces. Bring on the glow with by adding outdoor lighting to create an inviting evening ambience. Add a hint of autumn colour with container plants or decorate with candles
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DOWN TO EARTH
April flowers reign
supreme Not many people are too familiar with their birth month flowers. However, in the same way as birthstones, birth flowers are representative of a number of characteristics associated with people born within a specific month.
Those born in the month of April are lucky enough to have two birth flowers: daisies and sweetpeas. Each one is unique in its own way and has special meanings attached to it. Daisies are commonly associated with a sense of innocence and purity, and lend themselves to a bit of mystery.They're also thought of as being the friendship flower, as well as one of secrecy. The sweetpea is probably most commonly associated with the idea of pleasure, as well as the idea of saying “goodbye”. These flowers are generally given as a retirement gift or to a friend who's moving away.
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What kind of gardener are you?
You already know that you’re a plant person, but there are all types of gardening enthusiasts on this green earth. Find out which of these relatable growers you identify with most The flower fiend A lawn? How pedestrian! Vegetables? You’re not a farmer, you’re a gardener, for goodness’ sake! You fancy flowers, from the first crocuses of spring through the mums and dahlias of autumn. Blooms are everywhere, front curb to backyard, and there’s not a room inside your home that doesn’t boast a bouquet. You believe your plots rival those of Hidcote, Sissinghurst Castle and other famous British gardens for their flowers. Indeed, after a few hours lost among your precious petals, you’re prone to start speaking with an English accent!
Identifying marks: Daisy-chain crown, rose-coloured glasses Common call: “Flower power!” The tomato king/queen Regular people just don’t understand the deep and abiding relationship you share with Solanum lycopersicum. Tomatoes are the only vegetable you have any interest in nurturing (from seeds, of course) and you’ve grown them all, from the robust red Alicante to the delicately striped Green Zebra. Your ultimate vacation would be a visit to San Marzano sul Sarno in Italy, where the delicate namesake
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The caring conservationist Compost? Of course! You wouldn’t dream of using commercial fertiliser in your organic garden. You pooh-pooh all pesticides, too. Instead, you invite beneficial insects to your garden to prey on destructive bugs. And why bother with store-bought fencing or trellises when you can construct your own using twigs discovered right there in your yard? Why, you even knit your own bird netting out of hemp yarn! Identifying marks: DIY cardboard Crocs, overalls inherited from Grandpa. Common call: “Natural or nothing!”
fruits were first grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius. You also consider the 1978 cult classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes to be a documentary. Identifying marks: Bright red baseball cap, tomato cage. Common call: “Lycopene rules!” The bumper cropper Let’s just say you’re green-thumb generous to a fault. It’s not that the neighbours dislike you; they’re just compelled to hide behind closed doors in late summer when they see you coming with your homegrown bonanza, be it a dozen foot-long zucchinis or a bushel of tomatoes. Well, if they don’t answer the doorbell, you’ll just deposit
that produce on every porch in the cul-de-sac. After all, you’re a positive person, so when life gives you vegetables, you make gazpacho… and then serve it by the litre at the Heritage Day block party. Identifying marks: Straw hat, “Kiss the Gardener” apron. Common call: “Here!” The hunter-gatherer You’re proud of your garden and you’re equally proud of the fact that you didn’t pay a cent for virtually any of it. Most of your veggies – celery, lettuce, potatoes, and more – are grown from table scraps. Your roses and hydrangeas come from cuttings surreptitiously snagged
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from a nearby park, while those forsythia and lilacs are the direct result of sucker shoots (courtesy of your grandmother’s shrubs). And, sure, you purchased some seedlings back in about 2016, so these days your tomatoes are all volunteers. Identifying marks: Thrift clothes, permanent pocket shears.
Common call: “Why buy?” The Quixotic never-quitter The Man of La Mancha thought he had it tough battling windmills! You constantly go up against the laws of nature. Whether you’re trying to cultivate species far afield of your hardiness zone or create lovely loam out of your rocky, sandy soil, your garden’s an impossible dream. But will you give up on harvesting avocados in the middle of the Kalahari? Never! Identifying marks: Hawaiian shirt, gumboots. Common call: “Too much sanity may be madness – and maddest of all is seeing life as it is, not as it should be!” The professor You’re thrilled that your pride and joy made the local garden tour!
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So are your neighbours, who’re sick of hearing you pontificate about the care and feeding of every leaf, petal, stem and seed when they only dropped by to return a borrowed hedge-trimmer. Strangers, they hope, may provide the captive audience you crave – just don’t count on repeat visits!
DOWN TO EARTH
long lawn game and you play to win. Your mower is top of the line, ditto for your sprinkler system. The shelves of your shed are filled with turfcare products, lined up with precise organisation. Sure, you’ll admit it: you vacuum the lawn when necessary. Frisbee? Croquet? Foot traffic of any kind? Just try it, pal – you’ll be sorry! Identifying marks: Golf hat (green, of course). Identifying marks: Rubber clogs, cap and gown.
Common call: “Get off the grass!”
Common call: “Ah, the noble nierembergia…”
The lazybones What good is a personal Eden if you can’t relax in it? So you’re
The weed whisperer Some call them weeds; you call them indigenous plants. Queen Anne’s lace, chicory, lamb’s quarters, clover, even the humble dandelion: you love them all. They’re not just beautiful – they can protect and condition soil and attract pollinators. Some are even edible! Sure, there are some “real” plants in your plot, but you can’t bear to pull any of these spunky specimens and allow them to grow willy-nilly. You always root for the underdog – and you mean “root” literally!
lax about your lawn, you often forget to fertilise and deadheading flowers requires way too much effort (never mind pulling weeds). You enjoy the overgrown quality of your garden – plus, it provides excellent cover if your partner comes looking for you to do indoor chores! Of course, that anal guy across the street may complain about your imperfect curb appeal, but if he doesn’t like it, he can come and trim the hedges himself. Identifying marks: Oversized hat (ideal for pulling over the eyes), pyjama bottoms. Common call: “I’ll do it tomorrow…”
About the author Nina Malkin is a writer and editor who’s contributed to national magazines and websites for more than 30 years. Her interest in the “shelter” category coincided with the purchase of an 1893 brownstone that needed lots of TLC. She’s since written about design, decorating and DIY for Good Housekeeping, This Old House, Ebony and ArchitecturalDigest.com. Malkin is an avid, keen-eyed thrift shopper whose home is largely done in what she calls “the Arts & Crap” style!
Identifying marks: Messy bun, clothes in mismatched patterns. Common call: “But they’re so pretty!” The turf warrior Maybe it’s all that time spent on the links, but for you, it’s gotta be grass – nothing but neatly shorn, even blades of gorgeous green grass. Yes, you play the
Full story first published on www.bobvilla.com with full credit and acknowledgement to the website and author
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iNaturalist iNaturalist helps identify plants by connecting users with a community of over one million scientists and naturalists. You simply upload pictures of plants you want to identify and other users can chime in on what they believe they are.
Planta If you’re looking for an app that specialises in plant identification and plantcare, this is the one for you! Planta is really user-friendly and offers lots of personalised tips for starting and tending to your own garden.
Down to Earth’s pick of smartphone plant apps
Get PictureThis Uses super-advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to turn plant photos into positive identification. This app is different because it also acts as a total plant encyclopaedia, even listing whether plants are toxic to pets.
PlantNet PlantNet allows users to join groups to identify plants. The app also lists whether a species is invasive or not, which is important in maintaining local biodiversity.
smart PlantSnap It can currently recognise 90% of all known species of plants and trees, which covers most of the species found in every country on earth.
Leafsnap Operates as a field guide to all things foliage. Developed with experts from Columbia University, the University of Maryland and the Smithsonian Institute in the USA, the app uses high-tech AI to identify plants based only on photos of their leaves.
AUTUMN 2022
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