Sprig » kitchen garden

The kitchen garden

via Email — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:32:34 +0000

A raised bed outside my kitchen – all the plants used to get out of hand so quickly, so I am experimenting with growing herbs and vegies in pots of all sorts and sizes – growing well so far.

Food gardens & Ecology workshop

Niall — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:28:44 +0000

This looks like an interesting course:

This programme looks at issues and practices such as food sovereignty, horticulture, permaculture and ecological literacy together with some collective civic responses that are beginning to take place and which could provide a range of meaningful environmental actions.

The course will be of interest to the school teacher, community member, environmental educator, home gardener and anyone interested in a more sustainable and meaningful manner of living.
The following themes will be investigated:

Ecology & ecoliteracy: how nature works
Agriculture & environmental risk: the effects of farming on the environment
Horticulture & basic botany: how plants grow
Permaculture & principles of ecological design: some ways of growing food sustainably
Activism & education: gardens as places of learning

The workshop will be held at Entabeni Education Centre. The programme will include discussions, presentations and practical work sessions. Participants will be encouraged to share their own knowledge and experiences.

For bookings and information on logistics and accommodation: Adri Mari du Plessis (Entabeni Communications) Tel: 033 263 2441 entabeni@enviroed.co.za

Drakensburg 20-22 November 2009

Download the flyer …

I need Paw Paw trees

ZeldaW — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:18:08 +0000

Can anyone assist from your side of the country.

I am looking for Paw Paw trees that are going to bear fruit that doesn’t fall off the tree. I believe one needs male and female but it is a hit and miss affair when one orders them. I am looking for a reliabele supplier to send to Cape Town.

Food Garden 2.0

Niall — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:40:42 +0000

This is our second permaculture bed, raised off the ground and constructed with sheet mulching. Mol-d will be posting a step-by-step guide to setting one up so I won’t go into any details, but allow me to introduce the plants.

Food Garden 2.0

Radish, me thinks.

Beetroot - can't wait for these guys to grow!

Lettuce pack.

Tomato seedlings, courtesy of Pete.

Good ol' comfrey.

Update: City Hall Food Garden Project

Niall — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:42:21 +0000

It has been over a month since the first seeds were planted in the eThekwini Municipality city hall food garden (more on the project here). The attached pictures show how the plants are progressing. The growth of the plants has been excellent, which is expected in this rainy season. A few plants have been taken during the night and the cabbages are being attacked by a pest. The team working on the garden are trying to identify an appropriate organic solution for the cabbages. The management team is also going to meet in the near future to decide on when to harvest the plants. As some of the plants are being taken, an option is to harvest earlier than planned to ensure that TAFTA (the project beneficiary) receive a substantial harvest.

The first Sprig…

TaraB — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:29:03 +0000

Greetings everyone!

This is my first post here to Sprig! And can I say what a brilliant idea it is! I have been serious (well, sort of) about gardening for about a year, but although I am a member of other good sites (such as www.myfolia.com) I found that there is a lack of good South African-specific blogs. It’s excellent to find a site that offers advice and ideas from South Africans, for South Africans about our wonderful local flora.

Now, I know that this is a Durban gardening blog, but I’d like to hear from gardners elsewhere in South Africa about how they are coping (or not) with the odd weather this year! Are the Cape Townians thinking seriously about starting a ‘Swamp Garden’? How about those of us in the Eastern Cape who are desperate for a drop of rain!

I personally have found cow manure to be an excellent mulch and water-holding agent. I am lucky enough to live on a farm where cow manure is not in short supply-and I have dug bags and bags of it into my vegetable garden where it forms a nice moist layer below the surface. My lettuces are doing amazingly well and I have been picking them for salads most nights.

What are your tips and tricks for coping with droughts or very wet weather?

Permaculture course

Niall — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:37:07 +0000

On Saturday I attended a permaculture workshop at the Durban Botanic Gardens run by Bharathi Tugh and her husband Reggie. Both are experienced permaculturists and work extensively with schools in KwaZulu-Natal through the Woolworths Eduplant Trust and Food & Trees for Africa.

The workshop was well attended and dealt with some fascinating topics, including the principles of permaculture, soil conditioning, compost heaps and fertility beds, companion planting and pest management. I will go into each of these in more detail in later posts but I am amazed by what is achievable through using materials that are freely available in your house and garden.

Durban Botanic Gardens Permaculture Training Centre.

Kitchen gardening course

Niall — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:33:42 +0000

An interesting course being held at the Durban Botanic Gardens, details below.

Why kitchen gardening? Kitchen Gardeners are food lovers and true gastronomes of the highest order. The enjoyment of food is a complete experience extending beyond the plate to the soil, taking in the natural processes and cycles responsible for the source of good food. Kitchen gardeners are in tune with the natural world, local weather, and seasons, working peacefully and harmoniously with, rather than fighting against Nature.

Become a true steward of the land whether your plot is a farm sized suburban garden or a humble window-box. Join experienced permaculturist Bharathi Tugh on a Saturday course that covers:

Permaculture & kitchen gardening principles
Soil conditioning techniques and ‘green teas’ for feeding
Making compost heaps and fertility beds
Designing & setting up a kitchen garden
Plant selection, companion plants & crop rotation
Pest and disease management (organic remedies)
Creative container gardening

Dates: 28 March; 25 April; 23 May; 20 June (Saturdays)
Time: 8:15am
Venue: Durban Botanic Gardens Permaculture Training Centre
Cost: R280 p/p. Tea and lunch included.

Further details: email: clementm@durban.gov.za or call her on 031 309 1170.

Kitchen garden (pic by psansao).