Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i SA Garden and Home

ED'S LETTER While I am by no means a cold weather fan, there is an energy surrounding autumn that’s hard not to love. After a sweltering summer and busy start to the year, the cool evenings and relaxed atmosphere are incredibly welcomed in my household. To celebrate the change of season (as subtle as it may be in South Africa), we’ve packed this issue full of the best autumn has to offer. Fireplaces are a must-have, whether you’re prepping yours for winter indoors (pg. 16) or installing a new one outdoors (pg. 78). Take inspiration from the home features in Cape Town and abroad, using warm hues and unique textures that work year-round. The garden section is inspired by the king of perennial garden design Piet Oudolf, and his masterpieces…

With autumn and winter approaching but not yet in full swing, now is the perfect time to get your fireplace up and running. Autumn is a busy season for fireplace professionals, so book cleaning and servicing in advance. CLEAR CLUTTER Your possessions accumulate around the fireplace when you are not using it during summer: magazines, new decor you just haven't found a home for, and other odds and ends that tend to clutter an unused space over time. Before using your fireplace again, clear all these items away. The same goes for rugs or furnishings you may have picked up over the summer. It is also important to ensure anything flammable is clear of the hearth before you start using your fireplace again. CLEAN THE CHIMNEY Before lighting the first…

Meet Elle Passionate about DIY and known for her content creation in the media world, Elle has been hitting the nail on the head for the last eight years. She's a highly skilled, hands-on problem-solver passionate about production - giving this male-dominated space a strong contender. YOU WILL NEED • Plascon Professional Gypsum & Plaster Primer applied with a 225 mm epoxy pile roller and 50 mm brush • Plascon Easy Living Roof & Paving paint Black (base colour) applied with a 225 mm mohair roller and extension pole • Plascon Easy Living Roof & Paving paint White (stencil tile colour) applied with a velour sponge roller tray set • Polycell Sugar Soap, a bucket cloth/rag and wire brush for cleaning the surface • Polycell Mendall 90 for floor crack…

OPEN GARDENS Many say you shouldn’t follow a trend but rather follow your heart. However, when the trend is sustainable and as good for the environment as it is for your heart and soul, don’t buck the trend! Sometimes, things that some say are ‘trends’ become longer-lived, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the trend that started many years ago - using waterwise plants, succulents and grasses in home gardens. One such garden established over 30 years ago in Atholl, Johannesburg, embodies not only getting ahead of the curve, but also being ahead of the times. It’s as if Landscape Architect Don Logie foreshadowed gardens to come when he first set about creating a low-maintenance, waterwise garden space to fill a ¾-acre lawn with just seven conifers and…

HANDS-NO MOVABLE FEAST Renters who don't have the option to build should look for more ‘portable’ fireplace options you can transport easily. These offer the same benefits as larger built-in features and can go with you from home to home whenever you move. How to Prioritise ease of use, mobility and safety. Choose materials that complement your outdoor furniture and decor and withstand weather changes well, from baking sun to frequent rainfall, if you want your fireplace to last as long as possible. Ensure the fireplace is appropriately scaled for your space and offers just enough heat for the area you will place it in. Always place the fireplace on a level surface away from flammable materials. SEASONAL TRANSITIONS In sunny South Africa, the change from summer to autumn is…

EXPLORE 2024 has started off with a bang - so much so that a holiday is already in order. But holidays don't have to be extravagant and expensive to be exciting, especially over a long weekend. Sometimes, even a little day trip or weekend getaway can be the perfect break you need from the busyness of your life. We round-up the best road-trip getaways countrywide that won't break the bank or take too long to get to this Easter weekend, leaving you plenty of cash and time to relax. The Drakensberg From Durban If you live in Durban, chances are you have already spent a weekend or two in the mystical Drakensberg mountains. But, if you're new to the area or running out of ideas for short weekend getaways, then…

Ambience: A fireplace adds a timeless charm to any home, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that is perfect for cosy gatherings. Cost-efficient heating: Wood-burning fireplaces can be a cost-effective way to supplement your home heating during the colder months. Off-the-grid: Having a fireplace provides heat independent of electricity for use during frequent power outages. Fireplace Cons Environmental impact: Traditional fireplaces contribute to pollution, emitting particulate matter and potentially harmful gases. Eco-friendly alternatives are recommended to reduce impact. Maintenance: Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for the safe and efficient operation of a fireplace.…

Welcome Home Emmanuelle Sebillet at the front entrance to Lemon Tree Cottage. The home is located on the fringe of the newly rejuvenated East City Precinct with its apartment buildings and repurposed industrial warehouses, as well as the historic Gardens residential near Table Mountain. In The Art Detail in the lounge of ceramic jugs; artwork by François Houtin, a wellknown Paris-based engraver and friend of Patrice’s; restored exposed brick wall with grouting. Thrifted Finds The framed poster on the wall was found by Emmanuelle in Paris at Galerie Vivienne and is a Hungarian propaganda poster. The copper lamp was made in Cape Town, the original train station clock is another flea market treasure. The assortment of terracotta medicinal bottles are from a local auction, 'I am dangerous at auctions', says…

Kalanchoe orygalis Kalanchoe orygalis, often lovingly called copper spoons for its spoon-shaped, coppertoned leaves, catches the eye in sunlit gardens. Its leaves have a felt-like texture and mature from silver to copper as they age. When planting, consider pairing it with contrasting succulents to highlight its unique colouring. Graptosedum 'Vera Higgins' Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’ transforms from green to a striking bronze-red when exposed to full sun, a process that perfectly marks the change of seasons. Ideal for rock gardens or as a ground cover, its rosette-like formation and hardy nature make it a versatile choice for many spaces. It's particularly striking when its warm hues catch the golden light of sunrise or sunset. Peperomia graveolens Peperomia graveolens sports red on the underside of its leaves, providing a striking contrast to…

BUY BULBS Bulbs are a sought-after commodity, so it's vital to be first in line if you're looking for a specific type. Keep an eye out for winter and early spring bulbs this month and get your orders or pre-orders in early to avoid missing out. Winter indigenous bulbs, such as the vibrant Sparaxis or stunning ixia, are great choices for SA gardens. Late winter and early spring bulbs are must-haves to signal a change in seasons, like classic tulips and daffodils. Popular bulbs sell out incredibly quickly, so get shopping this month to avoid any disappointment. Sow Namaqualand Daisies This month, sow seeds of the iconic Namaqualand daisies (Dimorphotheca sinuata) for flowering in late August. These plants are synonymous with the South African landscape, endemic to the Northern Cape…

Our health is inextricably linked to what we eat. In much the same way that healthy, fertile soil produces robust, nutritious plants, eating a balanced, nourishing diet is the foundation for a healthy body and immune system. BUDDING BRASSICAS Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale If you've ever overcooked cabbage, you'll be familiar with the horrible sulphurous smell that results. This is due to the glucosinolates - sulphurcontaining compounds found in all brassicas. These form part of the plant's defence mechanism against pests: when an insect nibbles on broccoli, the glucosinolates are converted into sulforaphane, a compound with a strong mustard bite and pungent aroma. This repels pests, but it is extremely healthy for us, with powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing benefits. Growing tips Brassicas form the best heads in…

FROM THE EDITOR March has arrived, and with it, a mountain of avocados. I have three avocado trees in my garden (only two that produce fruit), and coming up with new ways to use them beyond the millennial classic avo-on-toast is tough. I’ve made enough guacamole to feed an army and tried avo-forward dishes like soups and smoothies, so my goal this month is to experiment with avocado in the kitchen. If you have any out-of-the-box recipes to share, I’m all ears. In my garden Tiny avocados just appearing in October last year vs one of many almost ready-to-pick avocados on my tree this month. Sneak Peak Next month, we explore a minimalist pavilion set in the landscape of the Cradle of Humankind - a modernist-inspired yet uniquely African ‘glass…

"The Leaars was an important touchstone for Hans and Nora - ANGELA HESSON. EXHIBITION CURATOR The sight of a grand old eucalyptus haloed by morning light on a nearby hill is a fitting greeting at the entrance to The Cedars, home of the late landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen. ‘Hans would often head out at first light to sketch in the bush, but hours later he’d still be at the front gate. He loved the form and structure of those trees near the entrance,’ says Allan Campbell, the curator of the Heysen Collections and manager of The Cedars. Located in the Adelaide Hills, Australia, The Cedars is open to the public year-round, with daily tours of the Heysens' home, gardens and studios. Hans and his wife Sallie bought the 36-acre…

Top Tip Each topping option fills 4 large potatoes. STUFFED SPUDS TOTAL TIME 1 hr 50 min SERVES 4 THE POTATOES 4 large potatoes Vegetable oil THE VEG TOPPING ½ cup cottage cheese 1 tsp parsley, finely chopped ⅓ cup cucumber, chopped 1 baby marrow, ribboned ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, toasted THE MINTED-PEA TOPPING ½ cup plain yoghurt 2 tsp lemon juice 1 garlic clove, crushed ½ cup peas, blanched 1 tsp olive oil ¼ red onion, sliced 4 mint sprigs THE CHEESY BACON TOPPING ½ cup mayonnaise 1 ½ cups grated Cheddar 1 tsp paprika 6 slices bacon, chopped and fried 1 spring onion, sliced THE POTATOES 1. Preheat oven to 200°C. 2. Prick the potatoes with a fork, brush with the vegetable oil and season. 3. Arrange on a…