Sprig » garden

We are three!!

mol-d — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:32:55 +0000

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Niall and Sprig!!

Sprig is 3 years, 784 posts, 609 tags and 2510 comments old today! Niall is maturing like a fine wine…

Thanks to all who have read, contributed to and commented on, the blog in the past few years and especially to Niall for starting it three short years (and a lifetime) ago…

Plant and Seed Exchange

mol-d — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:37:07 +0000

Hi Spriggers,

You will have noticed that we have given the site a new year’s facelift, a little cleaner and simpler. We hope you like it! Any suggestions welcome… In addition to aesthetics, we will slowly but surely add new features to the site, the first of which is the Plant and Seed Exchange.

We began Sprig as a way to learn more about plants, which included sharing cuttings of our favourite plants with friends and family. We would like to extend this to our digital community on Sprig and encourage you to share seeds and cuttings with (or get them from) gardeners around South Africa. In all likelihood, unless you live in the same city as the person you are dealing with, this will have to be done by post. Therefore, only seeds and cuttings that will survive the journey (here we are thinking hardy plants, succulents etc) should be shared.

Please check out the new section, reply (and maybe assist) those who are already looking, offer something new or submit a request for that elusive flora. Details on how to submit HERE (scroll to the bottom). Again, suggestions and feedback welcome, we are just trying this out

Chili balls

Niall — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:36:31 +0000

Last year I bought a packet of random chili seeds and planted them in various pots around the house. Only one plant survived and it turned out to be the most interesting chili plant I have ever laid eyes on. Every couple of months it produces these bright red, fire-hot, perfectly round chilis. I know you can get a great variety of chili plants in places like Mexico but we generally seem to have two varieties, big and small

If anyone knows anything about these guys, please share the knowledge …

Chili balls

Help with Spekboom project

via Email — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:56:35 +0000

I am a teacher at a socio and economically challenged school and community. I am situated on the border of the Gauteng and Nort west Provinces, close to Johannesburg with various mines and industries with polution issues. I would like to use the spekboom nursery to address environmental awareness at the school, supplement the school funds, teach the learners practical entrepreneurial skills to enable them to break the cycle of poverty by becoming self employed entrepreneurs instead of unemployed, poverty stricken citizens of our country.

I have already started on a very small scale experimenting with making cuttings and growing the spekboom, however, I need guidance and advise as to how to develop the project further and I am hoping that you would be able to assist me in achieving this goal. If not, I would appreciate it very much if you would be able to direct me to someone that would be able to assist me in achieving this goal. Thank you very much and I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Sandra Kruger

Trees for Zambia

Niall — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:03:38 +0000

For 3 weeks in July 2012, Greenpop is hosting a reforestation and conservation education project in Livingstone, in partnership with Zambezi Nkuku.

Zambia has the second highest deforestation rate in the world! In an effort to fight this drastic deforestation, Greenpop is planting 5,000 to 10,000 trees in Livingstone and spreading education. Interested in volunteering?

Find out more at http://www.greenpop.org/projects/trees-for-zambia/

Trees for Zambia

Invitation to Open Forum on Grey Water Re-use

Sprig — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:16:57 +0000

Imagine Durban project would like to invite you to a Open Forum on Grey Water Re-use.

Speakers include Nick Alcock from Khanyisa Projects, and Dr Nicola Rodda from UKZN who will be able to tell you more on the re-use of grey water to reduce water consumption and support household food gardens.

Details

Date: 25 January 2012

Time: 14h30 – 17h00

Venue: Umkumbaan Community Hall, Bramcote Hall, Cato Manor ( See attached for directions)

RSVP: Dane Labonte, email: LabonteD@durban.gov.za or telephone 031 311 4120.

invitation grey water open forum.pdf

Fair Food | Fresh Produce Grower’s Market

via Email — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:51:04 +0000

Fair Food | Fresh Produce Grower’s Market is a direct outlet managed by Newlands Mashu Community Development Foundation (NGO) on behalf of growing numbers of Partner Farmers at the Umbumbulu AgriHUB. Fresh, local, ethical food every Saturday and Sunday @ Tropical Nursery, Durban 9am-4pm. Please support!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fair-Food-Fresh-Produce-Growers-Market/214335568635822?sk=info

Permaculture Design Course (PDC)

via Email — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:21:19 +0000

Please find the details of the Permaculture Design Course (PDC), (DOWNLOAD HERE) and forward to others who may be interested.

For more info, contact Buzz at Cell : +27 83 300 23 85, Email : whatabuz@iafrica.com

Can you help identify / name these two plants?

via Email — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:20:29 +0000

Is there anyone who could help me identify these plants from our smallholding near Swellendam?

The grey foliage plant was apparently used to stuff mattresses in days of yore, and has the most divine smell. It is also apparently insect (bed bug? LOL) repellent.

And the prickly bunny tail causes a rash on my legs – a non-itchy, and non-irritating but unsightly rash.

Thanks

Dani

Insect to ID please

via Email — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:55:44 +0000

I was under a coral tree at the Nahoon beach in East London and this chap was on my calf tickling me…does anyone know what it is

Yours in good growing,

Jeannine

http://earthwormproductions.yolasite.com/