From seed to sanctuary, Risna Opperman has turned her lifelong love for plants into Urth \u2013 a flourishing Bloemfontein space rooted in patience, passion, and purpose.<\/p>\n
What inspired you to start gardening, and what keeps your passion for it alive today?<\/strong><\/p>\n Since I was a little girl, I\u2019ve been intrigued by plants. The magic of seeing a seed sprout, new leaves unfurl, or flowers bloom \u2013 and the way colours shift with the seasons \u2013 still amazes me every day. That sense of renewal keeps my passion alive.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your top tip for Bloemfontein gardeners looking to grow healthy, thriving plants \u2013 whether indoors, in a garden, or even in small spaces?<\/strong><\/p>\n Talk to them! (I always joke about that.) But truly, the best advice is to plant what suits your environment \u2013 which makes success far easier.<\/p>\n If you want to choose something exotic, be prepared to give it extra care and attention.<\/p>\n If you could only grow one plant for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n Fruit trees \u2013 I\u2019m enthralled by them. I have a special affinity for pomegranates and olives, both for their beauty and the nourishment they give. And of course roses \u2013 I adore them.<\/p>\n How do you involve family, friends, or the community in your gardening projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n My husband is my \u201cwater genie\u201d \u2013 he grumbles a little but ensures every plant gets the right amount of water.\u00a0My daughters love flowers and enjoy sharing this love by giving fresh bunches as gifts. My eldest has just started her own garden and proudly harvested her first tomatoes.<\/p>\n We are always in the process of building Urth\u2019s gardens.\u00a0We began with grassland and planted every tree, shrub, and flower ourselves. The rocky soil has been a challenge, but it\u2019s rewarding to see what thrives \u2013 and we love when the community shares their photos taken in our garden.<\/p>\n What\u2019s been harder to grow \u2013 the plants or the business?<\/strong><\/p>\n They\u2019re very alike. Gardening has seasons, just like business. Both need nurturing, attention, and focus to establish. You must adapt to changes \u2013 whether it\u2019s customer tastes or seasonal shifts. And both remind you to stay humble, because you can\u2019t control everything, but you can shape and nurture growth.<\/p>\n How do you use your platform to educate or inspire others, especially women?<\/strong><\/p>\n I love seeing female businesses thrive. I\u2019ve been fortunate to have great mentors, and I love paying that forward. Over the years I\u2019ve formally mentored several small business owners, and today I continue mentoring informally. I freely share my journey \u2013 mistakes included \u2013 so perhaps another woman\u2019s path can be smoother. Most importantly, I\u2019ve built friendships with strong women, and we inspire each other.<\/p>\n What plant do you secretly relate to on tough days? And why?<\/strong><\/p>\n The pomegranate \u2013 tough on the outside, yet inside it holds hundreds of vibrant seeds. It reminds me that even on hard days, hidden richness and resilience are waiting to be shared.<\/p>\n Text and photograph: Gypseenia Lion\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This month, we speak to some of Bloem\u2019s greatest gardeners about their expertise, passion, and what makes their green thumbs thrive. From seed to sanctuary, Risna Opperman has turned her lifelong love for plants into Urth \u2013 a flourishing Bloemfontein space rooted in patience, passion, and purpose. What inspired you to start gardening, and what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":124,"featured_media":20271,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[8824],"class_list":{"0":"post-20270","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"tag-meet-bloems-green-fingers-urths-risna-opperman"},"yoast_head":"\n