This global interpretation can be pretty ambitious for a gardener just trying to do their bit in a small space, but it can be perhaps said in a better way as: “do no evil”.
Let’s explain. This concept is to use gardening practices that enhance the environment while not causing harm to any living thing including humans. This is actually quite hard to do with the helpful chemical solutions to control pests a garden centre drive away, the hosepipe at the ready to spray off those pesky aphids, and a bucket of water at the ready to drown a snail or two. But if we did just a few sustainable things, imagine what could be achieved.
Here are my top 10 gardening practices, that will head you in the direction of becoming a sustainable gardener.
1 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This may be the most scientific of the ideas, but bear with me, it’s not that bad. The idea of IPM is to monitor and then use the least toxic solution to the problem. It’s important to know what you are dealing with first and foremost. You wouldn’t want to indiscriminately kill off predator bugs that could help get rid of the sucking insects destroying your crops. Sticky yellow cards can help determine what problems you have and once you have a proper ID, then act accordingly.
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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.
