Die reën wat weerhaan verlede week sien kom, is maar swakkerig in die suide en suidwestelike gebiede van die land. Mens kan maar net hoop die bietjie bietjie wat aan die Natalse kus kan uitsak, verhang die krieketbordjies daar. Die huidige toestand in die bolug is na mening, tipies van die onstabiliteit wat met die vermeende klimaatsverandering gepaard gaan. Dit bevestig … [Read more...]
Confessions of communicating scientist Prof Nox Makunga
Plant biotechnology expert Prof Nox Makunga spoke to a group of 60+ scientists and science communicators at Stellenbosch University last month. She presented her talk on ‘how public engagement is shaping my research career’ as part of a “Science Fridays @Stellenbosch” series on science communication, hosted at CREST (Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and … [Read more...]
One-third of our food depend on pollinators
We need to protect our honey bees, not only for their survival, but also for our own. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) recently concluded a five-year study focusing on pollinators and in particular honey bees. The goal was to create a knowledge base of pollinators and honey bees and raise awareness of their intricate nature, their needs in the wild … [Read more...]
Making every day an Earth Day
Famed South Africa horticulturalists, Ludwig’s Roses unveiled the Miss Earth South Africa Rose at their Pretoria farm. The rose is a specially developed hybrid, designed by the team at Lugwig’s Roses to honour the environmental organisation, now in its 11th year of greening communities, empowering young women and educating the children of South Africa. Ludwig describes the rose … [Read more...]
Wild about Weeds Part 2: Nettle
My absolute favourite wild edible and medicinal plant has to be Nettle. It is my “go to” when I am feeling unsettled or out of sorts. This wild edible is a super food in terms of nutrition! This modest little plant saved many a family during times of war when food was scarce. It is a most abundant little healer growing all over the world. This vibrant little plant is a … [Read more...]
Wild about Weeds part 1: Veldkool
Want to learn more about the medicinal and nutritional value of the common weeds in your garden? Today Tracy Armbruster - our weed enthusiast – kicks off her series for all of us to learn together: W.E.E.D’s (Wild, Enriching, Edible, Delight’s) are simply amazing! What I love most about them is their pioneering spirit. Their “survival of the fittest” attitude. They have … [Read more...]
Foxglove organic stories Part 3: Organic farming is not for sissies
Organic farming is not for sissies. If your city neighbour doesn’t bulldoze your carefully planted cervitude road into oblivion, then too much work for one set of hands can challenge a strong woman even in this idyllic setting. We offer you another installment by Sue Vingerhoets, farmer at Foxglove, to illustrate what she has to deal with during this very hot month of … [Read more...]
Stoep Harvest part 11: Companion planting
Many of our readers would have heard of the organic gardening technique ‘companion planting’. Some of you may be confidently planting according to this method; others may be hard and fast sceptics. I imagine there are also some readers who have never even heard of the concept. This final article in the Stoep Harvest series will explain the ideas behind companion planting and … [Read more...]
Fragile butterflies have nowhere to go
Anyone who has made their way along the Midlands Meander will know that it is represented by a butterfly. This little guy, known to entomologists as Orachrysopsariadne, is restricted to the Karkloof and Merrivale area because of its life cycle. Like most Lycaenids, its larval stage depends on specific plant and ant species. This fussy eater is extremely vulnerable to … [Read more...]
Tree and wine pairing for Arbour Month
Backsberg Wine Estate and Starke Ayres Garden Centre came up with a novel way to encourage tree planting last month. With the purchase of a case of wine from the Backsberg tasting room during september, people had the option of taking home either a halleria lucida tree or a voucher for starke ayres in cape town. the latter, in turn, gave away a bottle of backsberg chenin … [Read more...]
Super eco gift give-away
If you'd like to try out some truly friendly and green goodies, today's your lucky day as we're giving away a couple of great hampers from reputable green suppliers. ROSE THEMED PACK Rose and Geranium Hand Cream gorgeous rich hand cream infused with the world's purest essential oil of Rose and enriched with organic Rosehip. This highly concentrated and effective blend has … [Read more...]
Walking to feed the soul
'Being in powerful landscapes slows one down to take in the breathtaking scenery and the details of a wild flower. This renews our energy for life, with its unpredictable turns.' Every second Sunday Iain Macdonald sets off with a group of about 20 people on a 5-hour walk through the mountains around Cape Town. 'These are walks, not hikes,'he clarified, 'the intent is to … [Read more...]
