How to plant a beautiful, sustainable indigenous Fynbos Garden!
Arabella Home Owner – Alta Barnard – shares her secrets to having a beautiful indigenous Fynbos garden!
My daughter, who used to visit very often before lockdown, would always ask me: “Is there a time when your garden is not looking good?” I can honestly say: “No.” Every season has shrubs, bulbs and groundcovers with amazingly colourful flowers and foliage. Foliage ranging from soft silvery greys to lime-greens, yellows, reds and browns. These all bring to my garden an abundance of very happy birds, insects and animal life. Even a porcupine, which I have learned to tolerate, although he eats my Arum Lilies.
My advice when planting a Fynbos garden:
• Take it easy! Use only organic compost in the holes. No mushroom compost or bone meal.
• Plant smaller bushy plants. They establish better and will not need staking.
• Plant small groups of the same species, but keep it informal.
• If possible, do not build walls or hard paths which will reflect heat.
• Keep the soil cool by mulching. Mulch also helps to retain moisture.
• Do not over-water. Adjust the irrigation with the seasons. Over-watering results in too rapid growth and weak lanky plants.
• Go slow with fertilizers. Use Bounce Back, but sparingly, and never, ever dig it in.
I think that plants actually enjoy human company. Walk in your garden often; to firstly, enjoy, but also to see where you can lend a helping hand!
