Seasons Archives - Life is a Garden

What to Plant in South Africa in Winter for Soups and Stews

If you start a winter edible garden this autumn in your South African garden, you will be eating tasty, healthy, warming soups and stews all through winter.

Making your own food garden is as rewarding as it gets. An ornamental garden is pretty, but a food garden is pretty and productive. Just the act of gardening will boost your health on the outside, and what you harvest fresh from the garden will boost it on the inside. It’s not only for exercise, fresh air, and calorie burning, but also for mental health. Think of gardening as a wellbeing sport, and it doesn’t have to be perfect; just give it a try.

Top 10 Winter Vegetables to Grow in South Africa

There are great soup and stew vegetables that grow in the cooler months; in fact, they prefer it and are also mostly frost-tolerant when established. This is a list of the top ten plants to plant for cooking this winter:

Asian greens

Pak choy, bok choi, tatsoi, mazuna and Chinese cabbage all fall under the Asian greens category. They are excellent for growing in autumn and winter, and can be steamed or stir-fried with Asian flavours like soy, hoisin and oyster sauce for a salty, savoury side, or chopped up and added to soups and stews. Plant in sun or partial shade in rich, well-draining soil.

Kale

A healthy vegetable that can be added to soups and stews, or it can be deep fried as a crispy finish to a plate of vegetables to add flavour and crunch. Kale loves the cold. Plant in full sun and give it plenty of space to grow. Harvest the leaves as you need them.

Peas

Peas are a versatile crop and can be harvested as pea shoots, right up to pods.

Autumn Soil Reset: Build Healthier Garden Soil for Spring

Introduction

How South Africans can build healthier soil for future growth.

Good gardening always starts with the soil. Although we can’t see it, underneath the surface lies a multitude of processes that are essential for plants to grow well and, in the case of food crops, provide the best yields.

Why soil health is important

Soil consists of mineral particles, organic matter, water and air, but it’s the microbes, bacteria, invertebrates and fungi that make it alive. These hard-working organisms are responsible for breaking down organic matter and improving soil structure, so that nutrients, together with water, can be absorbed by plant roots and transported through the plant’s stems and leaves to the whole plant.

Ensuring that the microbes in the soil are healthy and increasing in number can significantly improve the health of your soil and your plants. Healthy plants are less stressed, and less stressed plants are mostly pest- and disease-free.

How to increase microbes

Just like humans, all the different microbes and organisms in the soil need food and water to survive and increase in population. The simplest way, then, is to feed them with carbon-enriched materials. This can be in the form of adding organic matter such as compost, leaf mould, and well-rotted manure, either dug into the soil or left on top as mulch to slowly leach into the soil. Kitchen scraps can also be beneficial, either dug straight into the soil or added to a composting process.

How much to add will depend on the initial health of the soil, but as a rule, always mulch, always add plenty of organic material at planting, and have a regular feeding schedule in place to continue feeding the soil.

Simple ways to test soil

Knowing what type of soil you have will go a long way in knowing how to improve it.

Winter composting – Tips and Tricks

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How to keep a compost heap working through winter

While the weather is cooler and plants are taking a break, there is a bit more time to focus on other parts of gardening, like maintenance and composting.

Compost is one of the easiest things to make. It uses all the prunings and clippings we continuously produce in the garden, recycles vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea and eggshells, and then returns nutrients to the garden as we use it. It can be contained in a premade or built structure, or just be a pile on the ground. You don’t need any special tools, just a bit of care and attention, and you can have decent, homemade compost in six weeks.

There are a few secrets to making great compost in winter when everything else in the garden is slowing down, so that it’s ready for the spring burst of activity. Here are some ideas to speed up composting in winter.

Heat it up

In winter, the microbes in the compost heap are still doing their jobs, but the falling temperatures mean they are working a little slower. A layering approach to compost making becomes essential. Add kitchen scraps, leaves and garden material in layers and avoid turning the compost, which just exposes the microbes and makes it much harder to warm up again.

Like we need to put on a jersey to keep warm, your compost heap needs insulation. One of the best materials for this is cardboard. Remove any tape and labels from the boxes, then flatten them to place on top of your compost. Over time, the cardboard will get wet and start to break down. Tear it into smaller pieces and add to the pile to break down with everything else.

If you have an open heap, add bags of leaves to the sides or box it in with hay or straw bales.

The cool season: An ode to autumn

There are many things to celebrate in an autumn garden. The softer, gentler weather is pleasant, with the plants stressing less without the summer heat. You often see a second flush of colour in autumn, especially from plants like roses and salvias, and who doesn’t love the changing foliage in warm shades of golden yellow, amber orange and rich red. It’s time to refresh, rethink, reflect and replant. These practical tips will keep your autumn garden thriving.

Plant a framework

As we garden through the seasons, things change, and what was once a good design becomes blurry around the edges as plants overgrow and some die off. This time of year is perfect for resetting the framework and adding plants that will last season after season. These include trees, shrubs and perennials.

For trees, we always recommend going for something indigenous. They are hardier than exotics and will be in a host of wild and insect life in a garden. They still need to be looked after, though. Indigenous or even endemic to your area does not always mean no water or food.

There are so many indigenous shrubs, many of them with beautiful flowers, that we are sure there is a shrub for every purpose. This also includes many stunning climbers.

In the world of perennials, there is colour and more colour. Invest in plants like agapanthus and dietes that can be lifted and divided the next year to give you more plants. The same goes for ornamental grasses that add movement and colour to a space.

Feed the soil

One of the tasks that needs to be done all year is to feed the soil. A healthy soil biome is the cornerstone of any good garden. When planting anything, always add loads of compost. Then, for most plants, add superphosphate or bonemeal as a nutrient boost to help the plants settle in and grow healthy roots, and a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser to keep it going and lush.

Eat your heart out healthily Become a Botanical Boss this January

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New Year’s resolutions and gardening go hand in hand, especially considering the amount of healthy food we are able to grow in virtually any space. Whether you’re going for low-calorie, low-carb meals, or high fat intake and intermittent fasting, raw and purely organic or vegan – the harvest is on your side! Fuel your body for less with this mostly summer edible selection and grow guide from Life is a Garden.

Top tip: If you missed last month’s article, click here for expert advice on how to set up a vertical hydroponic system for all-space produce growing:

Calorie-conscious, nutrient-dense crops to grow

Your farming responsibility

As gardeners, we have a direct impact on our environment, which comes as a sweet blessing because this means we CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Sustainable water practices are an essential part of gardening and we cannot ignore how precious and finite this resource is. We saw the huge impact of day 0 in the Western Cape, and the rest of the country is not immune to this possibility either. Here are some simple and effective practices from our industry expert, Charles Oosthuizen from Tuberflora Nursery.

“MULCH, MULCH, MULCH - why are South Africans so hesitant about this practice? We see this in so many gardens - barren, hard-baked soil raked neatly clean on a weekly basis. This is not the way forward in terms of sustainable watering practices at all.
Drip irrigation is the future as it is cost-effective, low maintenance and saves a lot of water.
Water only in the late afternoon or early in the morning.
Water very well only once or twice a week instead of a little bit every day.
Add water-retaining gel to your pots and containers.
The more compost and other organic material in and on top of the soil the more water retention the soil will have.

Sassy, soilless gardening Botanical Boss

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Air plants and hydroponic growing haven opened a world of creative gardening potential, full of attitude, expression, and Earth-consciousness. If traditional gardening doesn’t perk up your green fingers, outlandish air plants and woo-girl hydroponics will do it. Life is a Garden’s industry experts have shared valuable insights to help you successfully embark on a soilless adventure this summer.

Outlandish air plants

The Tillandsia genus (air plants) are epiphytes, meaning they grow without soil and instead, use other plants (non-parasitically) or suitable objects to grow on (like a gorgeous piece of driftwood). They are a truly fascinating species to add to your patio collection. Try these statement-making, exotic treats:

T. Mali Dofitas: Originally from the Philippines, this perennial evergreen will love a dappled sun to semi-shade location. Their spidery, upright rosettes of thick red-green leaves will stay vibrant even when not in bloom.

T. Tectorum, Peru: Native to the Andes mountain of Ecuador and Peru, this large beauty can handle full sun with excellent air circulation. Their striking leaves are covered in gorgeous long, white, velvety trichomes.

T. Love Knot: This charming hybrid enjoys good natural light with no direct sun. Their soft-curving leaves show off a dramatic colour scheme of reds, greens, and yellows. Purple flowers are a sensation when in bloom!

Did you know? Tillandsia use their roots for anchoring and absorb water and nutrients through their trichomes (leaves).

Tillandsia hits and misses

A winning recipe for success begins with bright light, good air circulation, and ample nutrients. Once you have these three in check, consider the following top air plant tips.

Sun: Morning filtered sun is your best bet although some varieties can tolerate more sun depending on the species.
Fertilise: Ask your GCA Garden Centre assistant for product advice and fertilise your air plants every second week.
Watering: Use rain or spring water when spraying or submerging plants (check your particular plant’s needs) and avoid tap water that has damaging chemicals.

Hydroponics for the home gardener Sassy, soilless gardening

Make a statement and make a difference, save space and maximise your harvest – how? Hydroponic farming, baby! Life is a Garden has turned up the sass meter this month with expert insight from Timothy Damons, an equally high-spirited soilless enthusiast with a passion for LIFE. Debunk some hydroponic misconceptions, learn how to set up and maintain a system, and be inspired by the flowers and food you can grow. Let’s dig in, or rather, let’s pump up!

November’s topic: Soilless, sassy gardening
Theme: Hydroponics for the home gardener
Industry expert: Timothy Damons based in Saldanha Bay on the West Coast

1. We love finding new members from the eco-tribe! Please share your story with us: What lead you to hydroponics? How did your journey with this growing method begin?

I adore nature and have always loved gardening. I love being out in the open, taking in the fresh morning air and witnessing all the weird and wonderful things that planet Earth has to offer. Seeing plants growing into something beautiful and nutritious gives me tremendous joy. When I left the corporate world in 2017, I decided to take a hydroponics course with a well-known hydroponicist named John Sandison. I chose hydroponics because I wanted to understand how to grow good quality fruit and vegetables in an environmentally friendly, sustainable way. I also lived in a big city at the time and generally, space for gardening is limited. I wanted to explore how people can grow edibles in the city without the large-scale footprint that our commercial farming methods have. Vertical farming is truly the answer to this conundrum and that is why I decided to pursue it.

Modern Xeriscaping in South Africa Industry Expert Q&A

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Are you ready to take your environmentalism, landscaping, and garden art skills to the next level? Industry expert, Marionette from Plant Paradise describes xeriscaping as “the practice of designing landscapes to reduce the need for water, to have minimal maintenance, and to create a clean, stunning look that is sustainable all year round”. If this perks your green fingers, we’ve got loads more insight and inspiration for you below.

Plant Paradise has won the award for best garden centre in SA 7 times, giving you even more of an incentive to visit them and experience quality-approved customer service, excellent plants, and top-notch products.

October’s Topic: Rock-on Decorating
Theme: Modern Xeriscaping in South Africa
Industry Expert: Marionette Hoffman
Garden Centre Supplier: Plant Paradise based in Moreleta Park, Pretoria: www.plantparadise.co.za

1. How did you first begin your landscaping journey and what have been some of your favourite projects to work on (and where could our readers receive some inspiration from your stunning work)?

After finishing my studies, I moved to England and worked there as a landscaper and horticulturist for two years. After that, I moved back to SA and started my career at Plant Paradise Garden Centre as a horticulturist and eventually became the landscaper - never looked back since! Landscaping and creating different displays on the garden centre floor is my passion. My favourite projects will always be xeriscaping. My most favourite project of them all was House Thompson in Silverlakes, Pretoria, and House Leahy in Boardwalk Meander, also in Pretoria. The best place to view my work is at Plant Paradise. Our website is also a fantastic platform to view some of my gardens I’ve done for clients.

Fab and fragrant patios

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Full sun stunners

Orange Hermannia (Hermannia pinnata) is a hardy, evergreen, water-wise groundcover that’s ideal for baskets. Flowers are apricot-coloured and smell simply wonderful.
Wild Rosemary (Eriocephalus africanus) grows rapidly and boasts strong, aromatic leaves. In winter, they show off their white, daisy-like flowers with purple centres.
Honeybells (Freylinia lanceolata) are appreciated for their creamy-yellow, tubular flowers that emit an alluring honey fragrance, attracting birds and butterflies.

Semi-shade babes

Starry Wild Jasmine (Jasminum multipartitum) is an all-time fave owing to their hardiness, fast growth, and sweet-smelling, star-shaped white flowers.
Small-leaved Plane (Ochna serrulata) produce bright-yellow scented blooms, followed by striking black fruit that attract many local bird species to the garden.
Rose-scented Pelargonium (Pelargonium graveolent) is an evergreen shrub with velvet leaves emitting a lovely rose perfume. They produce showy, pinkish-white blooms.

*Maintaining moisture, good drainage, regular feeding, and location are all vital components to a flourishing basket and pot.

Indigenous fairy tale trees Industry Expert Q&A

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1. Your stunning variety of trees and “greening the way” for SA approach is truly inspiring and awesome! Please tell us more about your philosophy and why trees are so important/beneficial?

As a horticulturist for the past 35 years, I have seen the deforestation in our own country today, despite the world’s plight on the current carbon footprint and efforts to plant up highways and urban areas. There are particular points that I would like to make in this regard – not purposefully highlighting the destruction, but in an effort to showcase the undesirability thereof.

Firstly, we have organisations like SANRAL – stripping trees on the side of our roads and highways by the kilometre, sometimes only marula trees being kept but destroying all the other hardwoods, which is not desirable. And then we get Eskom who eliminates every single tree within 20-30m of every powerline – that’s millions of trees being taken out annually. There’s also the mining industry, who are not under pressure anymore to rehabilitate like they used to. I think the councils are trying to put their efforts into planting trees, but again, I don’t think government is giving them enough budget to plant trees and to support our industry enough. There is definitely some effort needed to help and put pressure on government to get the local councils involved in tree planting again.

The local magic spring brings September Botanical Boss

The season of renewal is upon us, bringing in hope and fresh positivity. Spring is Mother Nature’s reminder that even after periods of hardship, the storm will always pass when we embrace and trust in the great cycle of life. Turn to your garden for some uplifting enchantment as we explore the stunning local magic spring brings this September. Life is a Garden, with help from our industry experts - Random Harvest Nursery and Tree Factor, have complied a list of SA’s most unique and unusual plants and trees.

Indigenous fairy tale trees

Sweet and special - The Snuffbox tree (Oncoba spinosa)

Appropriately named after its local use for snuff making by crushing the edible hard-shelled fruit. The fruit is round and shiny red-brown in colour.
They grow to a height of 3 to 4 metres, have a non-invasive root system, and will flourish in full sun with sandy, loam soil.
Trees are valued for their dramatic white flowers that have a special melon-like scent, making them a perfect choice as a fragrant ornamental too.

Odd and extraordinary - The Sausage tree (Kigelia Africana)

After treating us to a blood-red/maroon flower show that hangs off branches in long panicles, sausage-shaped fruit are an equally amazing sight.
The smelly flowers, which bloom all night, attract pest-controlling bats that pollinate them. The sausage fruit is actually a huge berry and can grow up to 5m and weigh an astonishing 6.5kg’s! Beware – these sausage berries are not for humans human consumption but many garden visitors will feast on them.
Grow these trees in full sun with composted soil that is slightly acidic to neutral.

“Ultimately, I believe if we don’t start planting trees in urban zones we’ll never catch up. If everyone plants at least one or two trees in their lifespan, it will make a huge difference” – Brett Hughes, Tree Factor.

Unique and unusual indigenous plants Industry Expert Q&A

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September’s Topic: The local magic spring brings
Theme: Unique and unusual indigenous plants

Industry Expert: Jonathan Taylor
Garden Centre: Random Harvest Nursery

A hidden gem awaits you in the golden highveld of Muldersdrift, Johannesburg. Random Harvest Nursery specialises in indigenous plants and trees and they also have a lovely tea garden with seasonal homemade goods. Bring the kids and let them enjoy the creature treasure hunt or sandpit play area. Here’s what they had to say about the local magic spring brings this September!

1. We love that Random Harvest has such a large variety of indigenous plants to choose from! What are some of your top sellers?

Ornamental veld grass species are always a winner. We have such an array of indigenous grasses to choose from that can be used to create stunning meadow gardens - from small species of 20cm tall like Hartjiegras (Eragrostis capensis) to tall options like Boom grass (Miscanthus junceus), and everything in between!

Boom grass stands out with lovely soft pink plumes while Snowflake grass (Andropogon eucomis) has fluffy white seed heads. Sickle grass (Pogonarthria squarrosa) has seed plumes that are almost black when the sun catches them. Just in terms of colour and texture, these alone can create an eye-catching display. Clever placement of species, depending on their ultimate growing height and the interplanting of flowering species, creates a rich, seasonally changing garden.

Trees for small spaces are also one of our top sellers at the moment. As gardens are decreasing in size, people need to select trees carefully. The need for screening, privacy, shade, and a sense of green in an outdoor area can be achieved by planting the perfect tree. A few great options for a small space are: False olive (Buddleja saligna), Forest lavender (Heteropyxis canescens), Boxwood (Gonioma kamassi), Wild pride-of-India (Galpinia transvaalica), and the Glossy white ash tree (Bersama luscens).

Fynbos on the patio for winter rain regions Industry Expert Q&A

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2. We love the fact that your nursery specialises in Proteaceae varieties. Could you please tell us about the biodiversity benefits of growing these indigenous plants? What kind of wildlife visitors do you get the most of on your farm?

The Cape Floristic region is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and Proteaceae are the flagship of the Cape Flora. I think getting people to grow these indigenous plants in their gardens allows them to bring a piece of the famous Cape Flora home and hopefully create more awareness of the wonderful biodiversity that exists on our doorstep. Beyond creating awareness, planting fynbos has the benefit of attracting indigenous wildlife. On our farm, we have a lot of sunbirds as there is always something in flower to keep them interested. It is really special to see. Growing these plants in the city creates a space for all the animals, birds and insects to flourish where they would usually have no habitat and stay hidden.

Celebrating Citrus Landscaping and decorating with citrus

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Topic: Celebrating Citrus
Theme: Landscaping and decorating with citrus
Industry Expert: Dane Montana
Garden Centre: Montana Nurseries - https://www.montananurseries.co.za/

If you are looking to begin a citrus growing journey, come and learn some trade secrets, exclusively shared by our industry expert, Dane from Montana Nurseries. Incorporating these vibrant and versatile fruit trees as part of your landscaping design is easier than you may think. Check out Dane’s recommendations for which trees to grow in your province and get the best head start on your juicy journey.

1. What made you first fall in love with citrus growing? Why are citrus trees so special?

My dad, Alan Ross, started Montana Nurseries and began growing and farming citrus trees in our nursery. I have grown up with citrus and have always loved the variety of lemons, oranges, naartjies, and limes. Citrus trees are very rewarding and there’s always something happening, whether it be a new flush of sweet flowers or delicious fruit.

2. What are some of the reasons why gardeners should be growing citrus at home? Are there any benefits/advantages?

The main benefit is their juicy produce that’s loaded with vitamins. Citrus can be eaten as is or used in cooking or oils. The leaves of some varieties, such as the Thai lime, are used to create many fragrant and zesty dishes. The flowers are wonderfully scented too.

Lemonade super-boost juice July DIY

With so much citrus in season now, you may be looking for some inspiration on what to do with your harvest. Life is a Garden invites you to get seriously super with your lemons this July and juice up a nutritious storm in your kitchen. Re-invent the lemonade with this zesty booster juice DIY.

Lemonade super-boost juice recipe

Aren’t we lucky to have Mother Nature on our side as we enter the last stretch of winter! Your lemon harvest, herbs, and spices are talking – do you know what they say?

Ingredients

- 2x peeled lemons for a flush of Vitamin C and multiple essential minerals and plant proteins

- Half a finger of fresh, peeled ginger for respiratory system clearing and protection

- 1x celery stalk for detoxification and opening of the toxin release pathways of the body

- Half a teaspoon of raw, organic turmeric to reduce inflammation

- A quarter cucumber for rehydration and cholesterol-lowering properties

- A handful of parsley as a systemic anti-fungal and gland health ally

- 2x tablespoons of raw honey for holistic antibacterial support (place your honey in lukewarm water before juicing to ensure it will dissolve well inside your juice)

Method

There is a difference between a smoothie and a juice: a smoothie contains all the pulp and fibres of the chosen ingredients whereas a juice contains only the liquid gold. You can use the recipe above as a smoothie if you’re looking for something more meal-like, or you can extract the liquid from the ingredients as a potent super shot or juice for the family. Juices are generally gentler on the digestive system as the absence of plant fibres allows for easier absorption of all the goodness.

- Option 1: Nut milk bag

A bit of effort will go a long way when using a hand-operated nut milk bag, which you can purchase at almost any health store.

The Secret To Citrus Success Botanical Boss

If you are reading this, somewhere inside you there is a special place that longs to uncover the secrets of the mighty citrus. Life is a Garden invites you on a juicy journey to the epicentre of this stunning fruit. Learn about ornamental varieties, decorating, utilising leftovers, citrus for your province, and gossip-worthy growing hacks. Let’s go!

What’s so great about growing your own?

Health wealth: The high quantity of Vitamin C boosts the immune system and keeps skin smooth and elastic. Citrus are also loaded with B vitamins, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, and copper. Tending to your trees is a super stress reliver and a chance to get active in the sunshine.
Year-round food: Growing a variety of cultivars that fruit at different times of the year allow you to spread out and extend your harvest window. With the right cultivars and planning, you can grow citrus almost all year round!
Organic & eco-friendly: Growing your own has the added benefit of product control. If organic produce and eco-friendly growing is top on your list, a citrus plantation is definitely for you.
More money, more C power: Most citrus trees begin producing fruit even as adolescent plants. Once established, their large yields will save your family and the community a significant amount of money, while also providing possible forms of income, depending on what you choose to do with your harvest (resell or jam making, for example).

Garden jargon check: The word ‘cultivar’ refers to a plant within that specie that has been specifically developed through controlled plant breeding. A citrus cultivar is therefor a specifically bred variation of this plant ‘created’ to deliver a special purpose, such as to produce more fruit or grow smaller.

Landscaping and decorating with citrus INDUSTRY EXPERT Q&A

1. What made you first fall in love with citrus growing? Why are citrus trees so special?

I always had an interest in citrus from since I joined the family business. In early 2017 I had a chance to visit some citrus growers in the Cape region and that’s when I decided to actively pursue my dream of growing citrus. In 2019 I had the good fortune to visit the top grower of dwarf citrus in the world. This opened my eyes to what could be done with citrus trees grown on a dwarfing rootstock.

What makes citrus trees so special is the wide range of citrus fruits. They each have their own flavour characteristics and uses, be it in the garden or the commercial sector. Citrus trees are also special because they have a global appeal and are grown almost everywhere.

2. What are some of the reasons why gardeners should be growing citrus at home? Are there any benefits/advantages?
Besides the satisfaction of growing and harvesting citrus from your own trees, there are other benefits related to growing your own citrus namely:

- Citrus fruit has many health benefits and is filled with vitamins, minerals, and essential fibre.

- You have control over which method of pest control to use on your trees. Many people have concerns around chemicals being used on the fruit they buy.

Water Wise Watch: December 2019

A season to be jolly!

The festive season is here and the excitement is already in the air. Although the festive season is filled with nothing but joy and happiness, if not planned properly, it can hit one's pocket really hard. It is always advisable to plan ahead in terms of buying gifts and saving money to get through the month.

There are many ways to save money during the festive season, some of which include creating a budget if you have not done so already or finding products on sale. However, have you ever heard of the phrase 'save water, save money'? One might not consider this as a common way of saving money but it is possible. Saving water in your house hold can help to reduce your water bill.

This December, challenge yourself to saving big on water and money. You can start by calculating your water use using the newly developed Water Wise calculator which you can find by clicking the link: http://calculator.waterwise.co.za. Do not forget to visit our website for more information and tips on saving water.The Water Wise family would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Water Wise Events

The Johannesburg International Flower Show

Water Wise embarked on a project of building an educational Water Wise garden at the Johannesburg International Flower Show held from 30 October to 3 November 2019. The garden showcased the use of different hydro-zones in a garden to save water by making sure you are watering plants to their specific needs. The Water Wise garden was awarded a bronze medal/certificate. Below is the image of the garden (on the left) and an image of the certificate awarded to Water Wise (on the right).

World Toilet Day Celebration

Water Wise celebrates selected environmental days with the internal staff members at Rand Water in order to spread the awareness concerning environmental and water conservation issues.

Water Wise Watch: November 2019

We are well into summer and the temperatures are soaring, with little rain in sight at the moment. With a rise in temperature and low levels of rainfall, it is expected that the demand on our water supply is going to increase. This is a great time to focus on being Water Wise!

In other water news, Gauteng is going through a two-month period of reduced water supply because of the shut-down of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The LHWP was initiated in the 1950s as an economical way to supplement South Africa's water supply. The first phase of the project was completed in 2004 and Phase 2 is currently underway, with 16.7% of the project complete as of October 2019. Once the project is completed, the system is expected to transfer around 2 000 million cubic metres of water from Lesotho to South Africa every year.

The project is currently undergoing maintenance and inspection to ensure that the system is operating optimally. This means that for the months of October and November 2019 there will be no transfer of water from Lesotho into the Integrated Vaal River System in South Africa. The LHWP supplements approximately 27% of the IVRS supply. The closure of the LHWP is not expected to affect water supply to Gauteng, as the Vaal Dam receives water from numerous other sources and transfer schemes.

Nonetheless, it is important that the public do their best to use water sparingly. As temperatures rise and weather forecasts suggest that we can expect lower than normal rainfall for the first part of summer (October, November, and December), water demand is expected to rise. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and various municipalities across Gauteng are encouraging residents to adhere to Level 1 water restrictions to prevent the over-demand of water.

Blooming in the Garden Agapanthus and Hydrangea

The Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus) and Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) charm lies in the unique nature of their vibrant colour patterns and undemanding low maintenance life cycle.

Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus), also sometimes referred to as African lily are one of South Africa's best-known garden plants. Their strap-like leaves and striking blue or white flowers make them favourites in plant borders as well as in containers. Agapanthus is a very undemanding, low-maintenance plant and will survive the elements thanks to its water-storing root system.Plant them in full sun in composted, well-draining soil and water once a week.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a sure favourite in South Africa with its abundance of huge ball-shaped and lace-capped flowers, blooming from November to late summer. They come in a stunning variety of colours from intense red to pink to blue to white and often bicoloured depending on the soil pH. They are shade-loving plants, (they like the morning/ late afternoon sun) and do best in well-drained fertilised soil. Keep them well watered and to intensify their colour, feed them regularly.

Chat to the experts at your local GCA Garden Centre for the best Agapanthus and Hydrangea food.