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Summer Gardening
10Aug-19

Spring Lawn Care for Gauteng Gardens

Lawn care comprises a few basics In this brief article, I will be simplifying lawn care for you. We all have different reasons for wanting a lush green lawn.  For some, it is about having a soothing green space to get away from the stresses of city life.  For others, it is used as a play area or as an outdoor living room.  No matter the reason, after reading this article you will have a lawn the whole neighbourhood will...
water wise plants Gauteng
13Mar-19

7 Simple ways to save water in your garden

Many parts of South Africa have received ample rain, and water restrictions have been lessened, but this is no reason to become complacent about saving water.  And although it sometimes feels that the little we do won't have any impact, every drop saved makes a difference. These are my seven simple ways to save water in your garden. 1. Add mulch to your garden Mulching has numerous benefits, one being its ability to prevent water from evaporating too fast. It...
Heckers
11Feb-19

Top 10 plants for attracting butterflies to your garden

Posted By Category: Gardening Chat, Gardening Tips, Summer Gardening, Wildlife GardeningComments: Comments Off
Attracting butterflies to your garden can be quite a conundrum at times. We want beautiful butterflies to grace our gardens but not their caterpillars which are the larval stage of butterflies.  Caterpillars feed on their specific host plants, whilst causing some damage to the plant, it is not enough to harm them permanently. The host plant will soon recover. The Basics When trying to encourage butterflies to your garden try not to use insecticides, as this will kill either the adult...
Hecker Nursery Flora Farm
27Dec-17

Gardening resolutions for the whole year

Posted By Category: Gardening Tips, Summer GardeningComments: 0
One way through which we know that it is the New Year is by all the joggers out on the roads and the spectacular spike in gym attendance. We always set goals for ourselves as we embark on a new year, yet these rarely extend to our gardens. So, why not pick a few simple gardening resolutions that you can practice for the whole year? If this sounds too daunting, you can always pick one to start with and...
Chilly Peppers
15Dec-17

Add spice to your holiday with peppers galore!

One of the yearly highlights at Heckers is our selection of sweet and chilli peppers. I am always amazed by the amount of fruit produced per plant as the value of the peppers far exceeds the price of the actual plant. Our peppers are grown right here on the nursery premise. This means that they have a low carbon footprint and are well adapted to our local climate. Sweet and chilli peppers have ingrained themselves into our cooking traditions...
Orchid & Collector's Plan Fair
20Nov-17

Weird and Wonderful Plants

All plants are unique and wonderful in their own way, yet there are some plants that truly stand out.  Welcome to the wonderful world of Orchids, Bromeliads, and Carnivorous plants.  Whether it is Orchids or Bromeliads which stun with their exquisite flowers or perfect geometric designs, or Carnivorous plants which have managed to turn the tables on nature by trapping its own food.  These plants are viewed as collector plants although some have become very popular, such as the...
17Nov-17

Bougainvilleas: the ultimate splash of summer colour

Posted By Category: Gardening Chat, Summer GardeningComments: 0
Through all the hail and dry weather my Bougainvilleas at home still have so many flowers that I cannot even see the leaves. Though I have to admit that I really don’t feed them as often as I should.  Bougainvilleas are one of those plants that continue to amaze me year after year, with their masses of flowers, toughness, and adaptability to harsh conditions. However, before I share a few simple tips on growing Bougainvilleas, here is one of...
Hydrangea
23Dec-16

Hydrangea throughout the seasons

Posted By Category: Gardening Tips, Summer GardeningComments: 0
Hydrangea throughout the seasons Hydrangea macrophylla is one of our garden plants that best showcases the extreme differences in seasons.  From looking like nothing more than a bunch of twigs during winter to its stunning bountiful blooms in summer. Hydrangeas are also known as the Christmas flower owing to their amazing flowering during the festive season.  As they flower for months on end, Hydrangeas remain on of the more popular garden plants. These days there are numerous varieties that maintain their...
2Dec-16

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 looking at nature, you will find that everything is in balance and sustainable. Nothing goes to waste and everything, no matter how big or small,...
18Nov-16

Create your own food box in six easy steps

Gone are the days of massive yards with big open spaces for food gardening.  Enter the age of duplexes and town houses. Despite growing space being limited, you can still enjoy the rewards of growing your own food. One way of getting around the space problem is by planting your edibles in containers and hanging baskets.  Lately, wooden boxes have become very popular and they definitely add a bit of old school charm to your food gardening.  Some of...