We’re planting …
Roses, because October is rose month, and this is the perfect opportunity to plant a new rose that celebrates the world-renowned South African opera singer Pretty Yende. Like its namesake, ‘Pretty Yende’ (LUDkrilbaP) is a powerful performer, with classically beautiful blooms of soft apricot-yellow that exude a delicate perfume. This South African bred rose by Ludwig Taschner is a strong growing hybrid tea rose with glossy green disease-resistant leaves. The long lasting blooms don’t fade in the sun, making this an ideal garden and picking rose for the home. Details: ludwigsroses.co.za
Veggie of the month
Tomatoes are by far and away our most popular summer veggie. But did you know that the classic Italian plum tomato – ‘San Marzano’ (RAW seed) – is considered by many chefs to be the best in the world? Its skin is an intense red and peels off easily, and the flesh is firm and almost seedless. For the juiciest fruit, grow these tomatoes in full sun, spaced 50cm apart. The first fruit should be ready for harvest within 60 to 70 days.
To get the most out of your tomatoes, follow these tips …
- Plant in fertile well-composted soil.
- Space plants well apart for good air circulation. This helps prevent pests and diseases.
- Water regularly so that soil remains consistently moist. Tomato yields suffer if plants receive irregular watering or dry out followed by over watering.
- For the sweetest fruit, let it turn red on the plant. Details: rawliving.co.za
A new game-changing wheelbarrow
It’s space saving. Light. And user-friendly. Everything a gardener could wish for. We’re digging this HomeBarrow, which has replaced our old-school, heavy one and has made life in the garden a whole lot easier. Designed and made locally, it’s ergonomically designed, with the weight closer to the wheel for easier lifting.
It offers ground level loading, which means you can roll, push or rake straight into the tray. It has a low center of gravity … so less ‘tippiness’, and can be emptied with very little effort – over the front, out the side or pour off the back, whatever style you prefer. Plus, and we love this one, it has a cleverly-designed swivel wheel steering mechanism, so you will be taking corners with ease. No more forward, reverse, forward, reverse, forward. Oh, and the wheel is completely puncture proof, and it has a useful dry pocket.
It’s great for small gardens, for the beach (load up everything and simply push to your spot on the sand), to ferry wood to the braai, or to use when camping (one trip from car to tent). And when you’re finished, it simply folds away. It’s just 8kg, stores as a flat pack, and takes just a couple of nuts and bolts to put it back together again in minutes. Deliveries nationwide, it costs R995 from homebarrow.com
Did you know that the Areca palm releases oxygen at night and absorbs carbon dioxide? So an exceptional choice for indoors, and especially in bedrooms. Such plants refresh the air and help us to get a better night’s sleep. With their graceful, feathery foliage Areca palms can be used as an indoor feature plant throughout the home, even in bathrooms. They like bright, high light and watering when the surface of the potting soil starts to dry out, but don’t let them stand in water. Details: lvgplant.co.za
