Innholdsfortegnelse for January / February 2026 i The Gardener Magazine

The overall theme for this year’s gardening trends is: When life gives you lemons, we play, with the play being more functional than fun. In a psychologist’s toolkit, play can reframe problems, reduce anxiety, and fuel creativity. This is the essence of what has been termed ‘lemonading’. Lemonading in the garden means: Playing with something new, even if it flops and turning your space into a joyful, living experiment. What is lemonading? “Lemonading is a mindset that works to creatively reframe hurdles into an opportunity that presents avenues for growth and collaboration. Such concepts stem from the field of positive psychology, and its roots can be traced back to the old adage of ‘making lemonade out of lemons,’ but seem to be gaining traction these days as more people look…

The key principles that will make a garden pet-friendly are: Is there enough lawn for pets like dogs to roll around and play? Are there enough things for them to sniff? Are the plants in the garden safe for pets? Are the boundary structures durable and escape-proof? Is there enough shade and water? Look out for our feature on pet-friendly plants in our upcoming issues. When it comes to décor, shop for new designs in dog houses, stain-resistant rugs and no-dig picket fences.…

This necessary approach to waterwise gardening moves beyond the familiar palette of succulents, even with their striking architectural forms and drought tolerance. Many gardeners appreciate succulents in small areas or in containers, but prefer softer, more colourful plants in the larger areas of their gardens. When establishing a garden that does not require excessive watering, it is crucial to ensure that the soil is in excellent condition first. Organic matter is the key to healthy soil. Add a thick layer of compost before planting and use it as a mulch (protective cover) afterwards, replenishing the mulch throughout the year. Store-bought or homemade compost is an excellent choice to feed the soil, provided that it is free of weeds. Other organic materials that you can lay your hands on to use…

Gaillardia (blanket flower) is a perennial loved for a very long flowering season, blooming spectacularly from early spring, late summer and well into autumn with nary a pause. The last remaining blooms will leave you with attractive seedheads to feed the birds or to use for dry arrangements. This genus hails from North America and is part of the sunflower family to which other daisies also belong. Many varieties have been developed over the years, including the highly recommended range, Gaillardia ‘Mesa’. The plants consist of low-growing, mint-green foliage, and bear upright stems with large daisy-type flowers, most commonly in shades of yellow, orange, red and brown. The flowers last well in a vase, so pick often to encourage more. Uses: They are stunning in meadow gardens, between ornamental grasses, in…

Celery is one of those perfect summer salad ingredients that has plenty going for it. It’s crunchy, low-calorie, hydrating and has a pleasant taste on its own or when added to salads. At other times of the year, it forms the basis of a mirepoix along with onions and carrots – the fundamental start of French cooking for soups, stews and sauces. Celery is easy to grow in rich, consistently moist soil. It prefers colder weather to avoid heat stress, which can also make it bitter. The leaves, however, are the key to keeping celery long after the season has ended. Dry the leaves and grind them with a little salt. This makes a seasoning that is perfect to add to spice rubs for chicken and vegetables, and can also…

The ClickUp! system comes with a handle and FIVE different attachments to enhance your garden. Value R2700 ClickUp! The GARDENA ClickUp! range includes decorative elements for every season: from a stylish bird bath for spring to an elegant torch for cool autumn evenings. This hamper includes the handle and these five modern decor attachments: ClickUp! InsectHotel – a modern design, and it will be home to many insects like bees, ladybugs and butterflies. ClickUp! RainGauge – you can see exactly how much water the rain has already provided. ClickUp! TorchFireplace – sets the scene in your garden with its warm glow. ClickUp! BirdFeeder – a modern bird feeder, specially developed to attract feathered guests with a small garden restaurant. ClickUp! BirdBath – to give birds in your neighbourhood a place…

A Valentine’s pot plant makes a thoughtful and lasting alternative to cut flowers, offering a gift that keeps growing long after the day is over. Instead of fading blooms, a living plant brings fresh greenery and colour into the home, symbolising love that continues to thrive. To make your pot plant extra special, add your own creativity by covering the pot in fabric and decorating it with fabric or cardboard hearts. In this way, you can choose any pot plant you like. Trace the pot onto a piece of fabric, then glue it onto the pot, leaving an edge to fold over. Cut the folded piece to the edge along the rim and the bottom to fold over without bunching. We cut out the hearts from fabric, sewed the raw…

Refresh Extend the growing season of your summer annuals and perennial pots with a quick refresh. This will work well for plants that don’t mind a little cold, like pansies and violas, and for those in warmer climates. Prune and trim back plants that need a tidy and are leggy. Deadhead flowers and remove dead plant material. This will encourage new growth. Pull out any that you know will not survive the cold, like petunias or impatiens. Refresh the potting soil by gently mixing in fresh potting soil or compost. This will improve aeration and increase the nutrients in the soil. If there is room in the pot, add at least 2 cm, or take out some soil, and add the new. If you have added mulch, remove it and…

If there’s an unassuming plant that quietly fills a border and then makes a statement as it flowers in late summer, it’s the large-flowering perennial phlox in shades of pink or white. Grow them in full sun to mostly sunny spots, as fillers or just behind the border edge, where they can pop up and reveal clusters of blooms on stems reaching up to 40 cm high. After flowering, cut them back almost to soil level, add a layer of mulch and a handful of rich organic fertiliser, and they’ll rejuvenate over the coming months. Their late-season flowers arrive just when pollinators need a boost, as many of the summer blooms begin to fade. Wayne’s Favourites Collection 101 Boeing Road East, Bedfordview, Gauteng 011 453 8573 www.eckards.co.za Lacewings – a…

The year’s first Full Moon, on the first weekend is called the Kitchen Garden Moon, and a fertile phase to plant all edibles, such as cherry tomatoes, mini cucumbers, and carrots to extend the salad season. Use the "harvest" days from Full to Dark Moon to dry herbs, make sauces, pickles or jams and oils; but avoid "root" days as produce preserved then is reported to have strong earth flavours. "Cuttings" are best after Full and not too close to Dark, as the downward energy ofthe waning moon is needed to encourage roots. BEST DAYS FOR JANUARY…

I constructed a paragraph made up of a few universal words that all South Africans would understand. I used them as is, or took some alphabetical letters from them to illustrate the origin of many of the pet irritations we all experience daily. The following is my constructed sentence: ‘Howzit bra, after a lekker jol at a braai and lots of dops, I sommer pranged my bakkie… Eish! I am eina, babbelas, and g@tvol, but will check you now-now.’ “How are you!?” The more formal of ‘Howzit?’ so often used by a random soul phoning you from an unknown number just after eight o’clock in the morning, trying to sell you something, or to alarm you about your bank account being swindled. But the person is nevertheless concerned about your…

BOOK CLUB What Your Food Ate: How to Heal Our Land Authors David Montgomery and Anne Biklé reveal new evidence from recent and forgotten science to illustrate how the health of the soil ripples through to that of crops, livestock, and ultimately us. The long-running partnerships between crops and soil life, which nourish one another, enrich plant and animal foods in the human diet with a diverse array of compounds and nutrients that our bodies need to protect us from pathogens and chronic ailments. Anyone interested in where our food culture is going will enjoy this book. Available online from various outlets and at bookstores nationwide. HAPPY HOUSEPLANTS Potted Yuccas Yuccas are the ideal plant to keep indoors, and not only for their decorative appeal. They are particularly low-maintenance and…

Adenium multiflorum, commonly known as the impala lily or the Sabi star, is an incredible local succulent plant known for its beautiful flowers in winter from June to September. In certain cultures, this shrub is used as a poison for arrows when hunting, weakening animals so that they can be caught. It has thick grey stems with tufts of waxy leaves at the ends. When the leaves fall in autumn, the flowers will form in their place. Impala lilies prefer hot, humid climates, but in cold areas with frost they can also be grown in pots, so that they can be moved to a sheltered spot for winter. They can grow up to 3 m tall.…

Celery The essential ingredient in a bloody Mary, after the tomato juice, has to be celery. Often drunk after a heavy night of drinking, a bloody Mary is said to restore equilibrium to the body. The tomato juice can settle the stomach, salt and other spices can help replenish electrolytes, and the alcohol can top up any existing levels in the system. The celery makes an excellent swizzle stick and adds vitamins and minerals when you eat it as you finish off your drink. Grow celery in rich soil with good drainage. Add plenty of compost at planting and keep it well watered. Choose a sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Sow seed from spring to autumn in frosty areas and all year in frost-free…

✔ Water the veggie garden 2-3 times a week, if there is no sign of rain. ✔ Get ready to sow winter veg next month, by sterilising trays and buying in germination mix, ready for cold-season veg. ✔ Feed veggies – long-season veggies with potassium-rich fertilisers and leafy greens with nitrogen-rich liquid plant food. ✔ Succession sow and plant beans, beetroot, carrots, lettuce and Swiss chard. ✔ Remove any powdery mildew-infected squashes and get the beds ready with compost for planting new vegetables and herbs. PRUNE AND TRIM After the festive season, the food garden can look a bit out of shape. Pull out spent plants and trim or pinch back other fast-growing plants. Take care of the weeds, and your garden will look better and better.…

1. LIVING WALL ART For very small spaces, using walls as space is ideal and turns your houseplants into an art installation that is continuously evolving. There are various ways to make an indoor gallery, including the basics like hanging baskets or placing vining plants on a shelf. The DIY options are plenty – use a glassless frame, attach pots to a trellis and more. Look out for new projects coming up in future issues. In this category, don’t forget plant cabinets with grow lights to keep plants healthy. These are still very much the trend for 2026. 2. COLLECTABLES The trend of collecting plants is big when it comes to indoor plants, as growers find the ultimate variegation on a monstera we just have to have. Collections are moving…

How to interpret the instructions When it says: Display in bright light. Think of a forest scene where soft diffused light falls on it during the day. Wrong: On a sunny windowsill, the sun’s rays may cause leaf burn. Right: Close to a window and away from a possible draft. When it says: Humid atmosphere Wrong: Placing it near or on an air conditioner and allowing the large leaves to collect dust. A dark bathroom (albeit humid) is not the best place either. Right: Wiping the leaves often with a wet wipe and mist spraying it on hot days with water at room temperature. Do not allow water droplets to land on the flowers, as it will damage them. When it says: Water regularly Orchids are often displayed in decorative…

One of my childhood favourites, this plant always makes me smile and adds its charm to any shady garden. Carpet bugle is a name not many know, and as Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’, even less, but once you’ve seen it, you’ll either remember it or fall in love with its cuteness from scratch. As the name suggests, the leaves carry touches of pink and burgundy, spreading as a carpet of colour in light or dappled shade. By late summer, they send up spires of blue flowers, adding another point of interest. What I love most is how quickly they cover soil and gaps and how easily they can be split and divided to make more plants for free… a gardener’s secret superpower. Hydrangea with an oakleaf charm If you love growing something…

Dear Tanya I have been buying your magazine for years now, but I need your help. I live in South Hills, Johannesburg, and my garden and house are swarmed with ants, with some nests visible, others not. They have made mushroom ‘gardens’ under a hibiscus bush, which had to be removed sadly, but their produce keeps appearing in beds and lawn (planted last winter). I am 82 years old and cannot cope with digging anymore, but I desperately need help to rid my garden of these. Can you please recommend a whole-garden eco solution to this problem? I have cats, and they find anything visible too much of a distraction for their safety. Praying that you have an answer. Regards, Gloria Hi Gloria, While there are some products like diatomaceous…

When the owners of this sleek, modern Parkhurst home completed their triple-storey build, they were left with an empty plot and a challenge: How to craft a garden that could live up to both their new home and their personalities. For that, they turned to landscape designer Shirley Wallington, who already knew the couple well, having worked on their previous garden. From the outset, Shirley knew the site would test her skills. “Admittedly,” she confides, “that blank canvas was not very big, but I could see that I would have to contend with access restrictions to the various levels, clay soil, a large oak tree that robbed sunlight and periodic flooding from the Braamfontein Spruit.” Adding to the complexity was the fact that the house was still under construction when…

There is much we could say about the regal pelargoniums, but the best part is the stunning, brightly coloured blooms, just like this one: Pelargonium grandiflorum ‘Elegance Imperial’. The velvety flowers in light pink with dark red centres contrast well with the compact shrub of lush green foliage. They are at their best in the heat of summer and will brighten a patio planted in pots or hanging baskets. They will tolerate full sun and partial shade. Feed regularly with a liquid fertiliser, water when the soil is completely dry and deadhead the spent flowers.…

Myrtus communis is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub with pretty flowers that bloom from early summer through to Autumn. The Sicilians harvest the blue-black berries to make a digestive alcoholic drink called Mirto, which has a unique flavour with the bitter herb sweetened with honey. This is a hardy shrub that can grow 2-5 m high and spread the same, but it also makes an excellent hedging plant or topiary. Myrtle loves hot summers and needs protection from frost. In areas with heavy frost, plant in large terracotta pots that can be protected in winter. In the kitchen We don’t often use myrtle in cooking, but it can be used like bay, imparting flavour to a dish and then removing it before serving. It is used in moderation as it is…

When and how to prune To maintain an aesthetically pleasing shape and the plant’s good health, it is necessary to prune your climber throughout the year. Prune flowering climbers after their main flowering period, depending on the season. In areas that receive late frost, it is advisable to wait until that last cold snap has passed. Climbing roses should be pruned at the same time as the rest of the roses in your garden. Mature Panarosa varieties can be trimmed to head height, with any lanky inner growth removed to improve their shape. Climbing and rambling roses should not be cut too low. Instead, trim off any stray side shoots and remove competing canes. This is the perfect opportunity to check the general shape of the plant and tie, redirect…

What you need ✔ 20 litre bucket with a lid ✔ Potatoes – any old potatoes, even with growths or mushiness. Two small or one large potato per 20-litre bucket. Potatoes are used because they maintain the pH at 6.5. ✔ 1 tablespoon non-iodised sea salt ✔ 2 handfuls of leaf mould. You can make your own leaf mould or find a tree that is close by and dig down to collect the rich, dark organic matter under the tree. This is filled with microbes that are indigenous to your area and the best to use for increasing populations. ✔ Rain water – collected in the 20-litre bucket (if you have to use tap water, let it sit out for at least 24 hours before using it. Steps • Add…

Why do we need to prune? The simple reason for pruning is to regenerate, shape or remove dead, dying, damaged or diseased growth. In general, pruning encourages more growth and improves the health of plants. There are other reasons to prune, including training, balancing growth, controlling flower and fruit quality, creating a pattern, and restricting growth. Basic guidelines There are some important steps when pruning that will make it easier. The first is to take it slow and steady. Step back now and again to make sure you are not cutting away too much and that the shape is not lopsided. As a general rule, you can prune after a plant has finished flowering in most cases. Most shrubs and perennials will go dormant in colder temperatures, so they are…

1. Violas and pansies – to add colour and fragrance to your winter and spring garden. Best sown in February. Use a fine germination mix, as the seeds are incredibly fine and need to be close to the surface. Sprinkle the seeds evenly and cover with the finest layer of soil, or leave them on the surface to germinate. 2. Sunflowers – for a bold splash of colour throughout summer and well into autumn. They provide excellent food for seed-eating birds. Sow seeds 1.5 to 2.5 cm deep, directly into the ground or in deep seed trays. 3. Cosmos – sow now for a dainty pink and white display in April and May. Scatter seeds on the soil surface and cover with a thin layer of compost, about 5 mm deep.…

What you need ✓ Woodoc Colours Rosewood ✓ Woodoc 50 Marine Exterior Sealer – Matt, Clear ✓ Laminated saligna strip 10 x 32 mm cut to: 1 x 100 mm, 1 x 150 mm, 2 x 200 mm, 1 x 250 mm, 1 x 300 mm ✓ Medium sized chain: 6 pieces cut to 270 mm, 1 piece cut to 300 mm, 1 piece cut to 350 mm ✓ 1 x round saligna piece 20 mm x 200 mm in diameter ✓ 1 x round saligna piece 20 mm x 100 mm in diameter ✓ 6 eyelet hook screws size 6 x 10 mm and 6 eyelet hook screws size 8 x 12 mm and 3 eyelet hooks 15 x 35 mm. Steps 1. Sand one edge of each timber…

Maintaining the late summer garden is easiest when tackled on days marked "very barren"/"barren'; so note these days to remove weeds; dead-head flowers, clear spent annuals, and harvest produce to preserve or store. The only planting recommended on very barren days are "hot veg''. This month, after Full, plant hot root veg like onions. While after Dark plant hot leaf veg like rocket or mustard. In dry summer regions, note the "irrigate" days to water lawns and previously planted bulbs to ensure beautiful blooms in autumn. BEST DAYS FOR FEBRUARY For more information on gardening by the moon, by phase and by sign please visit our updated website at www.moontime.co.za. Moonlight Calendar 2026, the annual poster calendar, is also available on the order page.…