Garden with nature, not against it.

With the rains finally arriving, our gardens have suddenly been transformed into an oasis of green and colour. With this change, the creatures and critters in our gardens also spring to life. These denizens are often misunderstood and unappreciated. However, they play an integral role in maintaining a natural, healthy equilibrium in our gardens. When […]

Splashes of Colour with Summer Flowers

Don’t let the heat get you down by bringing some cooling colour into your garden with Heckers’ guide on an amazing selection of colourful flowers for this summer.  With the intense heat we have been experiencing lately we can definitely say that summer is here.  Luckily there are plants that thrive in this scorching weather […]

Sowing seeds in six easy steps

All seeds hold within the amazing promise of life.  You will find that growing plants from seed can be a very rewarding experience and that you actually become attached to your little seedlings.  You can grow from seed to feed you and your family or you can grow to fill your garden with an abundance […]

Clivias – All you need to know!

Clivias

Spring is finally here, and with it, many of our favourite flowering plants.  The first that comes to mind are Clivias.  Clivia minniata is one of our more famous plants in South Africa and it has managed to find its way into gardens around the globe.  Not only do these flowers produce amazing flowers during spring, […]

A lush green lawn in 5 easy steps

The colour green has an instant calming effect and in today’s crazy pace of living, plants provide a reprieve for one’s soul. As a result, we need green spaces in our lives. This is all the more reason to get started on an excellent source of green: your lawn. The better care your lawn receives […]

Nothing says spring like an Azalea

One of the first signs that spring is on its way is when the Azaleas begin to grace us with their stunning blooms.  Erupting in spectacular colours, they herald the arrival of spring. Azaleas that are botanically known as Rhododendron are a favourite in gardens both big and small due to their versatile nature. They come in different […]

Six easy steps to prune your roses

Rose pruning seems to have come a bit earlier than usual this year with our roses thinking that it is already the end of July.  Fret not, as you can still prune your roses even if it is a bit early. Left unpruned, roses eventually carry out their own pruning by not nourishing the thinner […]

Grow your own tasty winter veggies

Heckers Garden Centre Rainbow Carrots tasty winter veggies

We always tend to think of winter as this grey colourless season where nothing grows, anxiously waiting for Spring’s warm embrace. Yet, winter holds so much potential, especially in the veggie department where we can still expect a bumper crop. For a culinary twist consider planting some tasty heirloom veggies this year, but more on […]

Preparing Your Flower Beds for Autumn Planting

With the change of the season it is time to start with autumn planting in anticipation of all the winter and spring colour.  With most of the summer annuals finishing off and going to seed, an autumn planting is a must to get a head start on your winter and spring gardening. It does feel […]

Alternatives to control weeds in the garden

Heckers Garden Centre Dandelion

One year’s seeding is seven year’s weeding.  Weeds tend to be our nemesis when gardening and many an hour has been spent methodically and sometimes frantically digging those persistent buggers out of the garden.  Yours truly has developed a habit of pulling out weeds no matter where. I have to admit it does provide certain […]