Turning a passion into a business
When Nico Thuynsma started growing cut flowers just outside Cullinan, Gauteng, in 1997, he could never have imagined that Madibri, as it became known, would be supplying gardeners around the country with a huge range of fynbos plants. Nico is particularly proud of his unique collection of ericas. “I am continually looking to add to what I offer the public by making my own selections and sourcing new plant material,” smiles Nico.
“The growing activity at Madibri revolves around our indigenous plant kingdom and is proudly South African, with the people at Madibri being its biggest asset,” says Nico. Madibri employs about 20 people from the local area in the nursery and cut flower production, at its four sites in the Cullinan district.
Partly because the farms are in the De Tweede Spruit Conservancy, but mainly because it is his personal ideology, Nico ensures that all the farming methods at Madibri are friendly to the environment. Rain and waste water is collected and used to water the plants, delivered to them through drip irrigation to minimise wastage and evaporation. He employs a biological system for disease management and fertilisation, and composts all waste plant material.
Nico, who obtained his B.Sc. degree in Agriculture from the University of Pretoria, regularly consults with prospective and existing farmers, and also presents workshops on fynbos growing at garden centres and garden clubs.
Esta historia es de la edición May 2022 de The Gardener.
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Esta historia es de la edición May 2022 de The Gardener.
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FIRE AND Feathers!
On a dreary winter's day, a screen of fiery and feathery leaves puts up a fight against dullness!
GET THE ladies in!
At this time of year, early-flowering shrubs vie with each other to get the most attention. We say: Trust those with female names for frills and butterflies. They go the extra mile to flower their hearts out.
Vegetable Soups and dumplings
Vegetables make the most delicious soups and classic combinations are always a winner.
Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health
Boiled, baked or braaied, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a delicious and healthy winter comfort food. Just a dollop of butter, a little seasoning and you are good to go.
Pretty and functional
If cooking is your main thing, you would probably be more interested in the culinary value of the three herbs and some of their varieties we are describing.
Dried Seedheads & Pods
Autumn and winter are the best times to see what flowers produce the best seedheads that can be left on the plants to feed the birds and bugs and for harvesting for dried arrangements.
SO MANY FACES and so many choices...
Whoever associated a Cotyledon orbiculata (pig's ear) with the ear of a pig obviously did not know about all the varieties and cultivars this species in the genus Cotyledon has.
COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!
If it comes to a vote, these dependable shrubs will be the top candidates for prime performance in winter and in other seasons...
What makes a garden sustainable?
It is interesting to note that the United Nations defines sustainable development as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation
Nestled within Prince Albert's rustic embrace lies a gem that is a testament to the transformative power of human vision and nature's bounty.