Lacewings: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month

Lacewings at a glance Occupation: Predator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller Danger to Humans: 2/5 – Harmless Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some Quick Intro Lacewings adults are delicate wee fairy-folk of the vegetable garden… but do not let them fool you as they are voracious hunters of pest…

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Pea plant: How to Grow – Vegetable of the Month

Pea plant stats/requirements at a glance Ease of Raising: 2/5 - Biweekly check-ups Water: 2-5 - Twice a week Sun: 4/5 - Full sun, shade tolerant Training: 4/5 - Moderate, train up a trellis Fertilise/Feeding: 4/5 - Fortnightly, half strength fertiliser Time to Harvest: 4/5 - A long time, 3-4 months Frost Hardiness: 3/4 -…

The C Files: How to raise chickens – Egg production

Chickens are a popular source of protein, due to their low-cost of raising and dual use as meat and eggs for protein production. South Africans are especially fond of chicken and it represents the most consumed protein in SA. Seeing that eggs are an easy, accessible and economic way to produce home-grown protein it is…

Little White Butterflies

Where do the white butterflies come from? Where do the white butterflies go?     Every year in South Africa, during December-January, little white butterflies take to the air in their thousands, all flying in the same direction. They visit gardens and flowers along the way. Even though it is a yearly occurrence, many people…

Spiders: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month

Spiders at a glance Occupation: Predator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller! Danger to Humans: 4/5 – Some are very poisonous Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive in your garden Quick Intro Most people shriek at the sight of a spider and try their very best to stomp it out of existence. I believe that…

Penny Royal: The Living Mulch

I can get really tired of weeding and become irritated when new ones pop up in the garden, especially in the areas that border my veg plots – AKA ‘The Weed Zones’! So I decided I would like to plant something there that would compete and displace the weeds, preferably something that is useful to…

Oregano: How To Grow – Herb of the Month

Oregano stats/requirements at a glance Ease of Raising: 5/5 – Very Easy, plant and leave Water: 1/5 – Minimal, weekly (especially in a container) Sun: 5/5 – Full sun Training: 3/5 – Moderate (keep in shape) Fertilise/Feeding: 1/5 – Minimal (at least once during the growing season) Time to Harvest: 1/5 – Immediate (purchased a…