Innholdsfortegnelse for November / December 2024 i SA Garden and Home

ED'S LETTER ‘Be bold’ - two small words, one loaded statement, an infinite way to perceive it. To be bold can mean numerous different things depending on the individual, and there are just as many ways to show it through your actions as you go about your day, in the clothes you wear and, most certainly, how you decorate your home inside and out. The idea of being bold in your home is traditionally associated with bright colours and making a statement in a loud way. But that need not be the case. If muted colour palettes are more your vibe, that's fine, as you can add boldness in various ways -an architectural accent, artwork or decor piece you love can do the trick. The same goes for your outdoor…

HEAVENLY HOMES About six years ago, Abigail Rands was exploring a ‘potential art project’ in the small Western Cape town of Tulbagh when she stumbled on this remarkable building. Her family owns a wine farm nearby, so she feels a strong connection to the area. Besides, she says, ‘I like beautiful architecture, raw materials and good art.’ And this house had all three in bucketloads. It was one of the oldest buildings in the town: ‘the first monastery and mission school established in 1797,’ says Abigail. Its distinctive gables, thick whitewashed walls, wooden rafters and thatched roof embodied traditional Cape Winelands architecture. ‘These old buildings are made from the finest raw materials, old, thick clay and stone walls,’ says Abigail. ‘The walls breathe and the buildings stay warm in the…

MEDITERRANEAN CYPRESS Cupressus sempervirens brings instant Mediterranean elegance to any garden, whether lining a fence, pathway or driveway. Their tall, slender shape makes them perfect for adding height without taking up much ground space. These plants are incredibly low-maintenance, thriving in various soils and requiring minimal watering once established. OLIVE Olive trees are a quintessential feature of Mediterranean landscapes. These trees are drought-tolerant and can live for hundreds of years when planted in the correct environments. They are best planted in well-draining soil and full sun with limited humidity to mimic their natural habitat. They can also grow indoors in front of sunny windows. AGAPANTHUS Agapanthus, although native to South Africa, thrives in similar environments and has a Mediterranean look that suits these themed gardens. They produce clusters of blue…

CHECKLIST SAVING SEEDS You must mature, ripen and store a seed correctly to ensure its viability. Collect seeds once matured on the plant after the flower has waned. Wait until the seed is completely dry before collecting. Always collect seeds from the healthiest plants in your garden. Avoid collecting seeds from stressed, unhappy, diseased or pest-ridden plants. Once you've collected the flower heads or pods, allow them to dry for a fortnight in a well-ventilated and dry location. Next, separate them from the remaining plant material, such as dried petals and husks. You can do this by hand or using a sieve to remove debris. Storing Seeds Store seeds in clean paper, a new envelope, a paper bag or recycled paper folded to make a pocket. Keeping the seeds at…

The Linden Market - Festive Edition 30 November to 1 December, 9 am to 4.30 pm The Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia Visit the Linden Market for an outing the whole family will enjoy - even your pooch can join in the fun! Expect food trucks and craft drinks, live music, kids entertainment and more brought to you by great local artisans and talent. Tickets: R50; children under 12: free thelindenmarket.com KAMERS MAKERS 26 November to 1 December, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria South Africa's ‘biggest pop-up retail phenomenon’ Kamers Makers is back with a not-to-be-missed festive fiesta. This fantastic family day out promises decor, art, fashion, food and more from some of the country's best creators. Everyone will leave smiling and with gorgeous additions to their homes or a Christmas gift (or two)…

SUSTAINABILITY Travelling is one of life's greatest pleasures, offering new experiences, cultures and perspectives. But we are more aware than ever of its environmental and cultural impact, which explains why the concept of ‘sustainable’ travel has become more mainstream. According to the World Tourism Organisation, sustainable travel ‘respects the sociocultural authenticity of host communities and provides socio-economic benefits for all’. Local is the keyword here. Travelling sustainably means making conscious choices that preserve the natural make-up and cultural heritage of the places we visit while considering our environmental impact when journeying. Rather than being a hindrance to your next holiday, sustainable tourism can enhance your getaway, creating a more meaningful experience of a particular destination, at home or abroad. Sustainable travel is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, there's the environmental…

HEAVENLY HOMES Travelling along the tropical KwaZulu-Natal South Coast conjures images of an exotic paradise reminiscent of Fiji or the Seychelles. That is even more true at Nakai, a guest house inspired by tropical destinations worldwide. With over 30 years of interior design expertise, Grant Horak and business partners Paulo Da Rosa and Claude Venter of Horak Venter Design created this curated showroom to showcase the pieces they love and use in their projects as a living inspiration board. As they sell pieces to loving new owners, they replace them with an ever-evolving variety of objets d'art. ‘In June 2016, we acquired and completely renovated, landscaped and decorated this property to create a home within a quintessential vignette of paradise. The seaside village Trafalgar offered us this incredible opportunity, as…

CONVERSATION Livingstone, in Zambia, has always been considered the ‘poor cousin’ of Victoria Falls, with a less spectacular view of the falls. But it does have Livingstone Island, and the world-famous Devil's Pool - a swim here is a particular adrenaline rush. It is also less of a tourist town, but its star is rising. We say: get there soon, before it fills up. And just outside Livingstone is where Annabel Hughes Aston has planted her massive food garden. She is the creator of ‘bush gourmet’ cuisine, developed by fusing wild edibles and indigenous Zambian ingredients with locally grown seasonal garden produce. Annabel is also the powerhouse behind the award-winning Elephant Café restaurant on the banks of the Zambezi River, 10 km upstream from the falls. The tented, open café…

Kitesurfers, travellers and beach devotees recently coalesced for an extended weekend of frivolities amid the tropical, south-east trade winds for the third edition of the C Kite Festival, hosted by C Mauritius Palmar. Back in the day, those trade winds established this Indian Ocean paradise as a strategic hub along shipping routes. Despite being there for kitesurfing, I soon realised one of the biggest hits at this year's C Kite Festival would be the South African street food offering, conceptualised by award-winning Celebrity Chef, Cookbook Author, Entrepreneur and Culinary Icon of the Year 2021 Chef Nti Ramaboa. Ideally located along the east coast of Mauritius on scenic Palmar Beach, C Mauritius Palmar proudly celebrates their love of kitesurfing daily through their on-site kitesurfing school. They invite you to come as…

This year has been a rollercoaster with more unpredictable twists and turns than I can count. And it's flown by - it seems like we were toasting the start of 2024 only yesterday. I realised the festive season was just around the corner when I recently spotted tinsel, faux Christmas trees and Santa Claus ornaments of all shapes and sizes, replete with a supporting cast of elves and reindeer, on the supermarket shelves. I shook my head in disbelief, thinking it couldn't be that time of year already, only to receive an email the following day that begged to differ, announcing, ‘Just 70 days to Christmas!’ At first, I was shocked, but then I smiled as I felt nostalgia for the festive seasons past. Soon, I would be able to…

KERB APPEAL…

INSPIRATION Mallorca is famous for its visitors - and the fame of its visitors - as it has played host to myriad renowned artists, musicians and other creators who have felt the force of the island's natural attractions over hundreds of years. The Artist Joan Miró and the Poet Robert Graves were among the 20th century's adopters of Balearic island living, while in recent decades, celebrity creatives ranging from Annie Lennox to Stephen Fry have been regulars. But of course there are also many bom-and bred Mallorquins, locals who have lived here all their lives, and among them are Artists Adriana Meunie and Jaúme Roig. Adriana creates textile works, while Jaume makes paintings, sculptures and ceramics. For both of them, the landscape and environment of Mallorca ‘is simply part of…

Kids and adults alike will enjoy the festive season even more with a DIY project that helps you count down to Christmas - a memorable, fun day, filled with joy, family and jolly cheer. I double-sided this countdown project so you could start ticking off up to 30 days before Christmas simply by rotating the project around, as it has 15 days on each side. I made a tiny wooden tree from scrap wood for the counter shape that fits perfectly into each carved slot. You can make any DIY wood shape or use a Christmas ornament like a star, Father Christmas figurine, little gift box or an angel. Creating a wooden base to attach the ornament to fit inside the notches means anything will work. Let's get started and…

Weeding is time-consuming. The first step is to prevent weeds from growing at all, but if they do, you can remove them using natural methods. Prevention is better than cure You can plant more intensively by practising no-dig gardening and using small beds, which crowd out weeds. Mulching and growing green manure and cover crops are all hugely beneficial to the soil, and they have the added advantage of reducing weeds. Drip irrigation directs water to vegetables’ roots, decreasing moisture, without which weeds cannot survive. Removing weeds Smothering This deprives weeds of sunlight by smothering them. • Water the area well and cover with layers of cardboard, liberally wetting as you go. (If weeds are very tall, slash them down first.) • Fit the covering around any plants, leaving gaps around…