Innholdsfortegnelse for January / February 2025 i SA Garden and Home

Time. It’s a tricky concept and something we never seem to have enough of - and we struggle to get to everything in a day. Between work deadlines and family responsibilities, we often put our own needs at the bottom of our ever-growing to-do list. That shouldn’t be the case, though, and as hard as it is, as cliché as it sounds, we must find a way to strike a balance. If, for you, that means soaking in a luxurious bubble bath at the end of a long day, do it but in a beautifully decorated bathroom. But if, as I do, you enjoy sitting in the garden, taking in the fresh air while reading a good book, ensure your outdoor area is well maintained so that you don’t end…

Being waterwise does not mean your garden is void of colour or filled only with succulents. All it takes are easy adjustments to how you approach gardening. WATER ZONE PLANTS Group plants with similar water requirements. Some have hairy leaves that withstand soaring temperatures, wind and even salt spray, such as lavender and lamb’s ear. Or you can group plants that require little water, such as agapanthus, marigolds, star jasmine, rosemary and clivias. Lavender works here, too. These plants are beautiful pops of colour in the garden. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Where you position your plants is crucial for waterwise gardening. Plant those that require a fair amount of water on the eastern and southern sides of a building and those that require less water on the northern and western sides.…

Woodoc 10 gives a smooth, velvet finish suitable for interior applications. Woodoc 10 is perfect for sealing hard-working wooden surfaces and items in the kitchen. The gloss level of the finish can be infinitely adjusted during application. Follow the application instructions printed on the product label to vary the finish from matt to velvet and gloss. Tip: Never wash wooden items in a dishwasher. Rather hand-wash, using warm water and a little dishwashing liquid. Typical Application • All interior wooden furniture • Kitchen units • Cupboards • Wooden trays • Wooden ceilings • Wooden toys • Knife handles Features • Classical, smooth, velvet finish • Easy application • Deeply penetrates to nourish wood and enhance the grain • Resistant to water, alcohol. heat, cold and stains • Safe and non-toxic…

Tomatoes have always been among the greatest and most rewarding plants to grow. They offer a diversity of flavours, shapes and colours that suit any kitchen or garden. But what adds to tomatoes’ allure is their ease of care. Most varieties are incredibly low-maintenance, which make them a delight to grow. CHERRY TOMATOES Cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) are standard in most South African households. They are sweet, bite-sized and the perfect addition to any salad or fresh snack. Their compact growth makes them the perfect choice for gardeners with small spaces or those wanting to dabble in container gardening. Cherry tomatoes are among the easiest to care for, thriving in full sun and well-draining soil. They may need some extra support with cages or stakes, but this can…

The sunny months of January and February are when you can enjoy the rewards of all the hard work you put in during winter and spring. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t work you must do to prepare for the rest of the year. January Water is life It is the hottest month of the year, and while some summer crops need high temperatures to flower and bear fruit, it is vital not to let them dry out. Regular watering is essential to their survival. Do so earlier when it’s cooler to help your plants get through the midday heat. That goes for watering the rest of your garden, including birdbaths and fish ponds. Feed the soil Give your garden extra nutrients with a decent, balanced fertiliser specific to the…

Although summer weather brings with it more opportunities to do outdoor activities with your pets, the heat can pose a danger to them. Be sure you take the following precautions to ensure your pets’ safety when the temperatures soar. TAKE IT EASY Adjust the intensity and amount of exercise you give your pets on warmer days. While dogs need to be walked regularly, rather do so during cooler times of the day. Try your best to plan walks along routes that have plenty of grass and shade - steering away from hot pavements as best you can. If you cannot avoid tarred or paved routes, practise the five-second rule to check that the ground is not too hot for them to walk on. Doing this is simple: Place the back…

Reclaimed Running until 29 January Gorgeous George Hotel, Cape Town ‘Celebrate the beauty of recycled and repurposed materials in art’ with Reclaimed. Brought to you by the SPH Fine Art Fairs & Events, this exhibition showcases pieces by artists including Siyabonga Miambi, Karina van den Heever and Susan Proctor Hume. Expect to see works of art like layered fabric collages, wood and metal sculptures, and nature-inspired installations created using repurposed and natural materials. Entry is free: all artwork is for sale SOUL II SOUL 8 February Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town Grab your picnic basket and prepare for an unforgettable night of music with the Grammy award-winning group Soul II Soul. Experience their iconic blend of R&B, soul and funk amid the beautiful surroundings of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.…

Setting the bar From the second Gemma Peanut walked through the door to her family’s new home, the pool area was placed firmly on her renovation radar. ’It looked like a bamboo jungle with a swimming hole,’ noted Gemma of the original plantings towering over the entire back wall. ’I immediately started drawing plans of how I wanted it to be, but I had to wait two years before we could get started!’ Her clever concept called for a built-in bar area designed higher than the traditional bench so that, while the cook is making pizzas next to it, guests can sit comfortably at the same height to chat. Hot stuff ‘The wood-fired pizza oven was my husband’s non-negotiable,’ says Gemma. ’Now that we have it, I can’t imagine the…

In an age where social media-led trends reign supreme, Meditation Teacher Stefanie Crawford’s thoughtful approach to interior design stands out from the crowd. Her home reflects her unique personal style and champions objects and ideas gathered over time. An interior designer in a former life, Stefanie has design sensibilities that were shaped by a European childhood and intrepid adult life. Her choice of timeless over transient has given the Crawford family an idiosyncratic home that is so much a reflection of the owner’s aesthetic that you couldn’t recreate it if you tried. Stefanie, who now also works as a psychosynthesis coach, shares her home with husband, Glenn, and son, Ollie. ‘Building my own home from the ground up has always been a personal dream,’ she says. ‘Having the freedom to…

When considering landscaping your garden, it’s a good idea to pinpoint any elements you like and want to keep as your starting point, particularly if you’re on a budget. Next, consider how much you have to spend. Is there enough to adapt the existing scheme or go for a total overhaul with a new planting design and landscaping? If money is tight, rejuvenating a tired-looking design may be possible simply by taking a fresh approach and injecting new ideas, such as adding one feature that transforms the scheme. 1. MIX MATERIALS INSTEAD OF USING UNIFORM PATIO PAVERS Versatile gravel and other pebble chippings are economical to buy, easy to spread and widely available, so they’re a practical choice if you want to bring a landscaping project in on budget but…

Our top general tips for successful planting projects with kids: Start small and make it fun: schedule a time to check on the plants each day with the kids, and move plants into sunnier or shadier spots as needed Choose plants that grow fast: we all love a bit of Instant gratification, and kids can lose interest if things take too long - so start with ultra-quick growers, such as sprouts, then move onto rapidly ready veggies such as carrots and radishes Consider all the senses, from smell to taste and touch: the wider the appeal, the more you’ll catch and hold kids’ interest Grow things you can eat raw: microgreens are a great option, as are baby tomatoes, which kids usually love to snack on already Choose the right…

LAYERED WATERMELON CAKE PREP TIME 40 MIN SERVES 8-10 1 large watermelon 2 apples, cored and sliced, plus extra to serve 2 cups strawberries, sliced, plus extra to serve 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced, plus extra to serve ½ cup raspberries, plus extra to serve ½ cup blueberries, plus extra to serve 1 cup full-cream yoghurt 3 mint sprigs 1. Cut the rind from the watermelon and shape into a cylinder. Slice into layers. Reserve the offcuts. 2. Place one layer of watermelon on a serving platter and arrange the apple, strawberry and kiwi slices on top. Fill any gaps with raspberries and blueberries. 3. Continue layering in this way, finishing with a layer of watermelon. You can use skewers to hold it together. 4. Spoon the yoghurt on top…

Another year has come and gone, and we are settling into 2025. For many of us, the passing of each year brings an accumulation of ‘stuff’ attached to memories and experiences. Our homes become filled with birthday or anniversary gifts, thrifted furniture buys that were too good to pass up (but totally unnecessary), and keepsakes from loved ones we’ve lost. In my home, I’m the one who holds onto old birthday cards (which are such a rare sight these days) and wedding invitations, gift bags (I mean, you can reuse them), various knick-knacks collected over time and numerous items that belonged to my late mother. This is to the point where my husband calls me a hoarder. I, however, like to think of it as being sentimental. But truth be…

With almost year-round sunshine and an idyllic situation on a crystal-clear, turquoise lagoon bordered by white sand beaches, the small town of Langebaan is just an hour up the Atlantic coast from Cape Town. Yet it feels a world away from the urban pace of the city, and the sense of seaside tranquillity is what has long attracted visitors from far and wide - including the family who built this Santorini-style holiday home, which is in the newer part of the town, and has beautiful views of the lagoon and coastline. ‘Langebaan is known as the jewel of the West Coast for its almost perpetual sunshine and azurecoloured waters,’ explains homeowner and Interior Designer Sumari Krige. She travels the world scoping trends and sourcing pieces for her South African design…

TOOLS NEEDED • Compound mitre saw • Orbital sander with 120 and 180 grit sanding paper disc • Power drill • Jigsaw • Router or palm router (optional) • 3 mm wood drill bit or counter sink and 3 mm drill bit in one • Wood filler and scraper (optional) • Wood screws 4.0 × 60 mm long (pack of over 24 screws) • Wood glue • Options of either a wood stain/paint/clear sealant for outdoors • Paintbrush and sponge roller tray set • Measuring tape and pencil • Long spreader clamps • Safety gear: gloves, ear plugs, glasses and safety shoes MATERIALS Pine timber used: 1 × 22 mm × 94 mm × 2.4 m pine bar (tabletop surface of tray) 1 × 22 mm × 44 mm ×…

‘It’s my happy place! I love to be out there every day.’ So says Holly Gilbert of her garden at Wamberal, just north of Terrigal on the Central Coast of New South Wales. For Holly and her husband David, their garden is a haven, an expansive private space where they can relax and recharge their batteries. The couple bought the property in October 2009. ‘The house was 27 years old on a hectare of land. Everything that we needed was already here, but we waited for two years before we decided what to do with the garden. D-Day was 7 November, 2011, when we cleared every blade of grass. From that date, the garden renovation took 10 months,’ Holly says. ‘We had some mature trees, mostly eucalyptus, on the site;…

Your front door is the gateway to your home, so why not transform it from the bog-standard door that came with the house decades ago or the cookie-cutter one you bought from a hardware store to replace the original? A lick of paint will go a long way in transforming your home’s exterior and adding a fresh dose of personality. COLOUR CONTEXT Picking a paint colour for any area of your home is generally a tough decision. Deciding on one for your door is no exception, and there are numerous aspects you need to factor in before you start painting. These include, but are not limited to, the following: • What are your home’s architectural elements and style? Is your abode a modern townhouse or a cosy cottage? • Keep…