Innholdsfortegnelse for September / October 2025 i SA Garden and Home

Spring is here! With its blooming flowers, warmer weather and longer days, it is often associated with new beginnings. It’s a time of rejuvenation after the chilly, dark months of winter. This said, it is a fitting season for me, and a great honour, to be taking up the helm of Garden&Home magazine and writing my first Ed’s Letter. Being our spring issue, we have filled the pages with all things fresh and bright. With the rain giving way to sunnier skies, this means we can once again enjoy outdoor entertaining. Our tips for updating your outdoor space (p50) will have you inviting guests over in no time. Speaking of which, if you need extra seating at a gathering, why not attempt a DIY table using an old door (p54)?…

If you're looking to bring bold, long-lasting colour to your garden as the seasons start to shift, African daisies are an excellent choice. Also known as Cape daisies or blue-eyed daisies, these hardy sun lovers are as tough as they are beautiful. Whether planted en masse or used to brighten up a container display, African daisies offer months of vibrant flowers with minimal fuss. Native to South and East Africa, African daisies (Osteospermum spp.) have adapted to survive in dry, sunny conditions. They are incredibly popular with South African gardeners for good reason: their vivid blooms range from buttery yellows and fiery oranges to soft pinks, purples and even whites. Some varieties boast striking contrasting centres or spoon-shaped petals, adding visual drama to any planting scheme. WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL?…

SHAPE OF THINGS Idea: Modern pressed plants and leaf forms are as much about preserving their beauty as contributing to the interior mix. Look for graphic shapes to play with and group them in a random or orderly fashion - the effects of either is quite striking. Here, a collection of pressed nasturtium leaves, ferns and a single Delicious Monster leaf marries beautifully with a lush gathering of fresh leaves and potted plants. SEE THROUGH Idea: A distinctive element of the beauty of these particular pressed leaves and plants is how they have been carefully sandwiched between sheets of glass, allowing light and glimpses of the interior to filter through. It’s a contemporary approach to the classic art of plant pressing for posterity. To enhance the ethereal nature of plants…

The daughter of a Vietnamese father and an Australian mother of Irish-Samoan descent, Mai Nguyên-Long was born in Tasmania but spent her formative years in Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. I've had a challenging time developing a clear sense of belonging,’ says Mai. ‘It's so simplified to say I’m half-Vietnamese and half-Australian, which I am, but things are very mixed within that.' Born in Hobart in the '70s, Mai left Australia with her family at four, living first in Papua New Guinea for five years and then the Philippines for 10, due to her father's work as an agricultural economist for a multinational aid agency. Upon returning to the country of her birth at 19, Mai enrolled in an art history degree and discovered art as a way of…

Whether you're hosting a big family celebration or enjoying a glass of wine as the sun goes down, a well-designed outdoor space becomes an extension of your home. This spring, embrace the chance to refresh and reimagine your garden so it works beautifully for entertaining, relaxing and play. With thoughtful planning, your backyard can become the most loved - and most used part of your home. DEFINED ZONES One of the easiest ways to make your outdoor space feel intentional is to create dedicated areas for different activities. • Dining Area: Start by choosing a spot for al fresco meals. A sturdy table and comfortable chairs instantly set the stage for spring brunches and summer dinners. For a touch of charm, string up outdoor fairy lights or hang lanterns overhead…

THAI-STYLE FISH AND VEG SALAD PREP TIME 5 MIN COOK TIME 10 MIN SERVES 4 350 g fresh stir-fry vegetables mix 4 125 g pieces skinless, firm white fish fillets ⅓ cup Thai-style salad dressing 1 cup coriander leaves ⅓ cup roasted, unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped, to serve Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or frying pan on high. Stir-fry vegetables for 3-4 minutes, tossing, until tender. Remove from wok. Set aside. In the same wok, fry fish for 2-3 minutes on each side until just cooked through. Serve vegetables drizzled with salad dressing, topped with fish, coriander leaves and peanuts. PROSCIUTTO AND BABY MARROW PIZZA PREP TIME 10 MIN COOK TIME 15 MIN SERVES 4 2 large pizza bases ½ cup arrabiata pasta sauce 200 g buffalo…

Interior design is an often overlooked and much undervalued aspect of building a new home or renovating an existing property. We tend to think of interior design as the finishing touches; the fun part at the end - picking paint colours and soft furnishings to adorn our newly completed homes. However, the key to a successful interior-design scheme is in the planning before work even begins on your building project. Take the kitchen layout or the positioning of lighting, switches and sockets, for example - all need to be decided before confirming plumbing and electrics. Whether you intend to take on the role yourself or hire an interior designer for their professional input, we've gathered together some of our top tips for interior-design success on your project. USE STATEMENT FEATURES…

Here is an easy DIY to do over the weekend, using materials you probably already have at home, for when the warmer weather sets in and you need extra seating space at a gathering. TOOLS NEEDED • Power drill MATERIALS REQUIRED A wooden door Wood glue Short- to medium-size wood screws 4 x wooden table legs/metal table legs (750 mm length) Pine cover strips to act as the apron 12 x metal brackets Outdoor wood stain Sponge roller and paintbrush Pencil and measuring tape 1 | Paint the door and wooden table legs. Use a drop sheet, as well as a sponge roller and paintbrush, for painting the items before assembly. Paint the top, underside and edges - use the paintbrush to get into all the grooves and the sponge…

With winter behind us and the first signs of spring appearing, it's time to shift focus to garden preparation. Warmer weather means more time outdoors and more opportunity to plant, prune, feed and tidy. Whether your garden is a sprawling plot or a compact courtyard, a bit of planning now will help it thrive through to the height of summer. Getting your garden in shape doesn't have to be overwhelming. By tackling key jobs step by step, you'll lay the groundwork for a lush, colourful and productive season. Here’s what to prioritise as you welcome the sunnier months. 1. Clear out winter debris Before you plant anything new, start by clearing the clutter. Winter leaves, broken branches and dead annuals should all be removed to make space for new growth.…