Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i SA Garden and Home

It’s a strange happenstance to have walked into the sustainability issue. It’s been a while since you’ve all seen a face to open this magazine so it’s safe to say a new season dawns when the December issue hits the shelf next month. Our built environments generate nearly 50% of global CO2 emissions year on year. Building operations are responsible for 27% of this annual statistic. But that’s not all - materials that are produced with massive amounts of energy, and resources (synthetic and natural) contribute another 20% annually as they embody carbon and slowly release it over time. As a passionate environmentalist, it can be hard for people to understand my connection to nature, particularly the ocean, when I hail from the design and building industry. I do however…

HOT TOPIC THINK GREEN It’s easy to convince ourselves things have already gone too far with carbon emissions and the depletion of natural resources. We argue that our homes, gardens and wild spaces are an opportunity for constant innovation, creative problemsolving and a platform for returning to the more holistic practices. Take notes from the indigenous communities and passionate individuals to figure out what treading lighter looks like in your own space and lifestyle. The reality is that they have always held the key to honouring our planet while still securing food sources, shelter and other comforts it's not too late for us to do the same.…

If you've ever strolled around the succulent section of your local garden centre, you may have noticed a group of interesting plants that don't quite look like anything else. They have been likened to animal hooves, brains and most commonly, stones, leading to one of their common names - living stones. These fascinating characters are part of the Lithops genus, native to dry and drought-stricken regions of southern Africa. The genus name originates from Greek for ‘stone face’ - certainly an apt description for these stoic plants. Lithops are easy to spot by their juicy leaves, growing in pairs joined in the centre, connecting to a deep root system with little stem. Only the very tops of these leaves appear above the soil to protect the majority of the leaf…

OPEN GARDENS With sweeping views of Cape Town and the presence of the Muizenberg Mountains behind, you really could not ask for a better view from this Stonehurst garden. Nothing but mountainside to your back, perching on top of the stairs to enjoy both the garden and surrounding city feels surprisingly private and peaceful, despite the activity below. This tranquil setting is where landscaper Tracey Cole found herself in February this year, with a brief to create a low-maintenance, colourful garden that not only saluted the surrounding scenery, but also brought the surrounding nature into the garden itself. Unfortunately, despite the gorgeous sights of this ‘office’ she found herself in, the challenges of the space proved to be anything but relaxing. ‘The garden was a mess,’ remarks Tracey. ‘All areas…

The maximum sunlight in your home will occur on the north and east sides so these are the sections of your home that will offer the maximum amount of warmth and light Succulents also need fresh air and good air circulation. This helps prevent pests from settling in. Mealy bug, mites and other pests can take hold when air circulation around plants is poor. Keep their soil as moist as a wrung-out sponge and make sure humidity is low. A moist environment can bring on fungal disease and rot. Incorrectwateringwillimpactnegatively on the health and growth of the plant. A very bright, sunny and warmwindowsillcanformthe ideal spot in your home for a succulent collection. Water your succulents every two weeks in summer and once a month in winter. Never overwater them,…

CROWD-PLEASER 1: Swap old-fashioned electric garden lights for solar lighting New-generation solar lighting has come on leaps and bounds, and you'll find everything from lanterns and fairy lights to path and wall lamps. Place them in direct sun to charge them up during the day. 2: Let wildlife give you a helping hand and eliminate the need for synthetic insecticides Invite in garden friends by leaving piles of leaves and logs, or birds that are partial to a caterpillar or two with food and nesting boxes. Ladybirds eat aphids, so plant sunflowers or marigolds to attract them - and don't forget those crucial pollinators, the bees. Numbers have declined worldwide, mainly due to the loss of wildflowers. 3: Go old school One petrol lawnmower emits as much pollution in an…

RECIPES Fish & Roasted Mielies with Capsicum Salsa TOTAL TIME 45 min SERVES 4 2mielieshusksintact olive oil, to brush the mielies 1eggyolk 1garlicclovecrushed 2tbsplimejuice 1tspDijonmustard 23cupoliveoil 12tspsmokedpaprika 1redonionfinely chopped 2freshredchillies finely chopped 1avocadofinelychopped 1greenpepperfinely chopped 1yellowpepperfinely chopped 13cupcoarselychopped fresh coriander 4x200gramsfirmwhitefish steaks Lime cheeks, to serve Haloumi Schnitzel Sangas TOTAL TIME 1 hr SERVES 4 1tbspoliveoil plus V3 cup extra 1redonionfinely chopped 1garlicclovecrushed 1tspsmokedpaprika 1tin400g) diced tomatoes 125gramscherrytomatoes 112cupspanko breadcrumbs 2tbspcoarselychoppedflat-leaf parsley, plus 2 tbsp extra 2eggslightlybeaten 12cupwholemealplain flour 250gramshaloumisliced lengthways into 4 pieces 4seededwholegrainbreadrolls, halved lengthways 4longslicesstoreboughtchargrilled brinjal 13cupaoli 60gramsrocketleaves Protein smoothies are a great way to pack a fresh punch in between courses when you're not in a hurry for a decadent dessert Green Juice Protein Smoothie TOTAL TIME 5min SERVES 3 1cucumberchopped 2celerystickstrimmed 2largetrimmedkale 50gramsspinachleaves 1greenapplecored 12lemonpeeled…

As the upfront pages of this month's issue announced, a new season of garden and home style beckons, an ongoing homage to the print experience and everything it represents. After recently revisiting a few of the things I took careful custodianship of after my dad passed away, a really special moment inspired this page. I always knew my father had worked a long and honourable tenure in the print industry. His success story and most polished point of pride was the opportunity to hang up a blue collar in trade for a white one in the real estate industry. What I didn't know and suddenly gave context to so much, was that in his time with Tradeforms, working with huge newspaper print machines, he was the editor of the company's…

Architect Xavier Huyberechts has a wonderfully poetic way of describing the way he designed the weekend getaway that he and his brother Damien built on their farm south of Johannesburg. He says that he wanted to ‘gently lift the carpet at the bottom of the hill and slide the house underneath’. And that is exactly what he has done. A green roof runs seamlessly from the hillside and over the house, like a blanket of earth. The house is almost invisible from many angles, almost disappearing into the landscape. In fact, the way it has been designed and built means that it can and will, at the end of its life, disintegrate and become reabsorbed into the earth. It’s made almost entirely from the earth, and emphatically for the earth.…

IN THE Edible Garden Sow all squashes and pumpkins in November. Continue sowing French beans, runner beans, sweetcorn, cucumbers and melons in situ. Start planting out seedlings of peppers (sweet and chilli), tomatoes and brinjals. Continue to mound up, feed and water potatoes your prize spuds are forming now so don’t forget about them, and keep your eyes open for pests such as snails and stinkbugs. Keep sowing carrots and radishes for a continuous supply until temperatures get too high for them. Feed leafy veg such as chard, spinach, kale and lettuce frequently now, and keep them mulched and well watered. Spread mulch around large tomato, pepper and brinjal plants to help conserve water and keep the soil cool. Pinch out the growing tips of brinjals, peppers and tomato plants…

originatefromcentralAmericaand Mexico. They are perennials that come in varying of sizes with flowers ranging from tiny 2 cm diameter pom-poms to large blooms of dinner plate size. They all grow from tuberous roots susceptible to root rot, so the correct watering routine is essential. Modern hybrids are available in every conceivable shade, except for blue! But there is a wide range of violet and mauve cultivars available, and the breeders are still chasing the blue tubersshouldbeplantedin late spring, to flowerfrommidsummerand at their best in autumn and early winter. Truly rewarding, as they provide colour when most other plants have finished flowering. needwarmtofairlyhot gardens, and plenty of sunshine and water, but they do not thrive in blazing hot, dry gardens as under these conditions they will stop…

Peanut butter dog biscuits INGREDIENTS 2 cups flour ½ cup peanut butter 2 eggs Water HOW TO MAKE THEM Mix the flour, peanut butter and eggs together until combined. Slowly add water until the dough becomes wet enough to roll out. Roll out the dough and cut it into shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for 20 min or until golden. Remove and set aside to cool before letting your pet chow down!…

Refined Comfort The living area is defined using a lighter tone brick floor, rug and wall tiles in complementary shades. The wooden structure behind the sofa serves as a headboard for the sleeping bed that flanks it and creates a low barrier element to define two distinct spaces. Sofa, custom design by Hendre Bloem Furniture; Side table, Cast Concrete by Sevens; Rug, Hertex; Table next to sofa, Leggs Tables by Hendre Bloem Furniture; Indoor fireplace, Calore; Ceiling fan, Solent; Bathroom and lounge tiles, Styles; Curtains, custom made by RBL; Clothing shelving unit, Custom design by Hendre Bloem Furniture; Bath, Aston Matthews; Bath and shower fittings; Burlington A contemporary, off-grid cabin built on an expanse of semi-desert on the edge of a nature reserve in South Africa's Klein Karoo has become…

DIY STEPS YOU WILL NEED Solid beech timber panel (format: 120 x 30 cm) Round iron screw hooks (RVS A2, 2.9 x 40 mm) Black elastic cord 3 mm Wood glue Thin wood screws A few old wooden playing blocks Black paint marker TOOLS Jigsaw with a straight blade Electric drill 3.5 mm wood drill bit Stone drill bit…

ART Lynda Rennick, 41, creative and blogger, shares how crocheting got her back on her feet after being knocked down by debilitating chronic fatigue. ‘It has allowed me to heal my wounds by getting in touch with my soul, listening to my body's needs and accepting myself. It has taught me to think differently - I have realised how I can take my pain and transform that into making something beautiful’, shares Lynda. A new study published in The Arts in Psychotherapy further confirms how after a three-minute artmaking session, participants indicated they felt more like they had ‘good ideas' and could ‘solve problems'than before the activities. Even though art therapy is best practised with a therapist, there are things you can do at home to foster creativity - and…

The challenge of creating and keeping a garden going in the Eastern Cape can be daunting for even the most knowledgeable and determined gardeners. Rocky, shallow and impoverished soil, severe droughts - these are just a couple of the factors that could make one throw up one’s hands and just be done with it. Securing plant cover that is ornamental, edible and at the same time hardy enough to deal with the climactic conditions, let alone the lack of depth of soil for them to root in, can be a struggle. In an area where camel thorn trees, low scrubland and termite mounds stretch out seemingly endlessly, this farm is a green oasis sandwiched in a transition zone between various ecosystems, with a predominant sedimentary rock type consisting of compacted…

• Concentrate on feeding fast-growing plants and lawn this month. A lush, healthy lawn is dependent on regular doses of nitrogen and phosphorus. • Prioritise getting your entertainment area planted up in time for the holiday season by starting to put together colourful containers with flowering annuals. Some good candidates for colour bursts are Impatiens, both Busy Lizzie and New Guineas for shade; Calibrachoas, Gazanias, Salvias and Petunias. • Keep planting all-time favourites like Lavender, G aura, Angelonia, Agapanthus and Alstroemeria (Inca lilies), some of whose hybrids are great in containers. • Sow fast-growing summer favourites such as Cosmos, Zinnia and Sunflowers straight into the ground as soil temperatures rise. • Make use of waterretention granules in flower beds and containers when planting out new season annuals, especially in winter…

Compost is a must in every garden if you want to keep your soil healthy and your plants looking lush. If you have a large garden, buying bag after bag can be a pricey exercise. Luckily, compost is one of the easiest garden DIYs around and comes with many benefits for the environment. It limits waste going to landfills, allowing you to use your organic scraps in a positive way, and it also builds the soil in your garden, limiting the need for other products that may be harmful to the surrounding environment. There are so many ways to start your own compost heap that there is little excuse not to give it a go. The first is to corner off a part of your garden and simply pile up…