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4May-20

Growing food during lock-down

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Growing your own food has always been a good idea, but with global lock-down, now more than ever. Food security will become a huge concern but growing your own edibles has many additional advantages such as helping to combat anxiety and depression, alleviating boredom and getting safe exercise. Planning your edible garden   What to plant when First take into account that most edibles are seasonal. Selecting a site for your edibles. Choosing the right spot to plant your edibles is crucial. Consider making...
26Feb-20

More about Myrtle

Myrtle -  Botany Myrtus, with the common name myrtle, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae The genus Myrtus has three species recognised today: Myrtus communis – Common myrtle; native to the Mediterranean region in southern Europe. Myrtus nivellei – Saharan myrtle; native to North Africa. Myrtus phyllireaefolia In the garden Myrtus communis is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for use as a shrub in gardens and parks. It is often used as a hedge plant, with its small leaves shearing cleanly. The...
3Aug-19

Spring pruning simplified – It's easier than you think!

Posted By Category: Uncategorized, Gardening TipsComments: 0
Spring feels like it is here!  The signs are all around us with the blossoms and our gardens are waking up from their winter slumber.  Although we can still expect some chilly weather in the near future, in general, it is getting warmer.  As a result of the mild winter we have had so far, the roses here at the Nursery haven’t even lost their leaves yet. Still, now is the time for pruning certain plants to ensure that...
1Jun-17

All you need to know about Cymbidium orchids

Besides their flowers, their appeal also lies in how exceptionally easy they are to keep. One could almost say that they “thrive on neglect”, with even the most uncared for plant still having the chance to astound with its blooms.  With that in mind, providing your Cymbidium with its preferred growing conditions can only result in a riot of colour.  Continue reading for a few Cymbidium basics and then a guide of how to care for your Cymbidium through...
5Apr-17

The Cream-Striped Owl Moth

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Who goes there? An uncommon guest has been visiting our homes in the East Rand of late. I’m alluding to the Cream-Striped Owl Moth (Cyligramma latona). They belong to the family Noctuidae. The owl-eyed markings on the moth's wings are certainly its most striking feature. The purpose of such markings is to convince potential predators that it is dealing with something dangerous. Such instances of mimicry or common in the insect world. Cream-Striped Owl Moth (Credit Bernard Du Pont) Why the population explosion? Cream-Striped...
25Feb-17

Plant a fruit tree now for a bounty in the coming season

Posted By Category: Uncategorized, Edible Plants, Gardening TipsComments: 0
Remember the days when fruit actually had a taste? The best way to guarantee that you can enjoy nature’s bounty is to grow your own. The advantages of healthy homegrown fruit are legion. Not only do homegrown fruit taste like real fruit should, sweet and juicy, but you will save money as well has lower your own carbon footprint. Growing your own fruit can seem like a daunting task but the rewards are well worth the effort. Get a...
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...
3Nov-16

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 and will make your garden come alive with a display of stunning blooms.   The only difficulty with Calibrachoas is choosing which colour Easy Waves and Calibrachoas Easy...
9Sep-16

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 of colour.  However, people are often put off from growing from seed due to these not germinating properly.  Sowing seeds should not be difficult,...
12Aug-16

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 early in spring, the less effort it will require for the rest of the year. So follow the next steps to ensure that yours...