Grow to share

There’s no time like the present Covid-19 crisis to start a victory garden – reminiscent of those planted during the two world wars – both for your own use and for those who may be in need. An expert tells us how...

- Marie Esterhuyse

Karen McEwan wasn’t daunted by her lack of knowledge or experience in growing vegetables when she started her food garden on their farm in Middelburg in the Eastern Cape.

“We got married in 2009, after which I moved to the farm. As a trained chef, I initially offered cooking classes and food demos and also did catering in the surrounding towns. After my eldest was born, I started my veggie garden – largely to feed my family with organic produce,” says Karen.

“In the first year, the harvest was incredible. I couldn’t believe what grew in that dry Karoo soil! The bug really bit me and I began to expand my veggie garden. It then developed into a small business and today all the fresh produce for my cooking classes comes from my own garden. It is paired with delicious Karoo lamb or venison from the farm.”

At the end of 2019, Karen held her first fresh produce farm market and these days she also offers talks on how to grow veggies organically.

And you can do the same! Now is the ideal time to plant a summer vegetable garden. Start small and expand your food garden as you gain more experience. Keep the climate in your area in mind as it plays a big role in what you plant. Also seek advice from your local nursery. Before you know it, you’ll be harvesting your own fresh produce and will have more than enough to share with others.

Karen tells us more...

[VICTORY GARDENS ]