One excited family headed towards Gansbaai in the Overberg to participate in a bumper tree planting weekend in the ancient indigenous Platbos Forest. We were to join the Platbos Reforest Fest to help Greenpop restore the forest towards its former glory. It was time to get my hands into the soil and help heal Africa’s southernmost magical Platbos Forest. Our children - young … [Read more...]
Foxglove organic stories Part 7: Clearing the wattle
In the midst of a dry winter, Sue and her family take it upon themselves to rid Foxglove Farm of their resident alien trees and make compost for the months ahead. Since winter has been neither very cold nor wet, we have continued to clean up, remove aliens and make compost. At the moment we are up to our elbows in wattles. Most people see wattles as only a problem but we see … [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...]
Hotel fights aliens to save fynbos and water
On Earth Day one of Cape Town’s greenest hotels gathered together staff, guests and friends to clear alien vegetation in the Silvermine Valley in the Table Mountain National Park during their 45th Adopt-a-Spot initiative. The Vineyard Hotel & Spa in Newlands, Cape Town, were assisted by three Miss Earth SA finalists, Nayha Gautam, Lara Potgieter and Luanne … [Read more...]
Hands-on greening becomes a passion
If you’re not passionate about the earth, don’t bother to do the 5 hour trip from Cape Town to Forest Edge along the Knysna forest. Although it is a multi-award-winning resort with very well equipped and serviced cottages, this is ultimately a Nature Lovers’ Retreat. I had been there before and of course loved the chilled vibe as I wrote poetry in the hammock on the cottage … [Read more...]
Alien bugs are more harmful than they seem
South Africa's regulating authorities need to improve their measures to prevent alien species which can become pests in the agricultural sector from crossing our borders and causing damage. 'The statistics for the past 12 years tell me that introductions of alien insects are taking place at an alarming rate, which points to deficiencies in the regulatory procedures and … [Read more...]
