Waiting for the Rains
By Lin Barrie Late October, that roasting hot time of year just before the rains arrive in Zimbabwe. My ‘back garden’, the lowveld of Zimbabwe, is panting and poised, waiting for life-giving water to fall from the sky. Elephants cluster thirstily around the waterhole at our bush house, bringing their calves to wallow in the […]
Learn how to grow asparagus
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Asparagus is one of the great delights of spring. It’s an elegant, yet simple, vegetable that adds a touch of class to any menu. Even though asparagus can take up to two or three years to produce quality spears, it is an easy-to-grow perennial that is worth the wait. You can’t beat freshly blanched asparagus […]
Bromeliads
Bromeliads naturally come from the Americas, mainly South America but also from lower North America and the Caribbean. Only one species comes from Africa. There are over 3,000 species of Bromeliads from 56 genera and there are thousands of hybrids. In their native habitats, Bromeliads grow in such varied conditions, from sea level to 4,200m, and in rain forests to deserts. There is a Bromeliad suited […]
Do you know the difference between the Msasa and the Mnondo?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Do you know the difference between the Msasa and the Mnondo? Learn the basics and you will be able to spot the differences in no time. The Miombo (Brachystegia) woodland was our most widespread, and valuable, woodland on the highveld and dominated by these two beautiful trees – Msasa (Brachystegia Spiciformis) and Mnondo (Julbernadia Globiflora). […]
Orchids for Beginners
Learn how to water, feed and look after your beautiful orchids. There is frequently a misconception amongst both amateur and experienced gardeners that orchids are difficult to grow. These beautiful and fascinating plants are seen as temperamental, and the preserve of highly experienced hobbyists. How often has an orchid been given as a gift, only […]
Growing Raspberries in Zimbabwe
Learn how to grow these juicy summer loving berries. To this day, only half of our raspberries from the garden have made it into our kitchen; this is not because of the birds or poor growing conditions, but I (and a few other guilty members!) simply cannot resist pecking away at these plump, red, juicy […]
Getting the most out of your lawn
Having a wonderful green lawn is what we all desire most in our gardens. By mowing, feeding and watering it correctly, you will have a lush lawn to enjoy right throughout the year. The different varieties of grass There is a wide variety of grasses available, but here are some of the most common types […]
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are becoming a must in today’s gardens. Use them in variety of ways to add soft sweeps to informal gardens, and to add shape and structure to contemporary ones. These days, there are so many interesting grasses to choose from. However, it is a good idea to find out if the plant is […]
Growing and cooking with ginger
This easy-to-grow and nutrient-filled spice from the East is loaded with beneficial nutrients for your body and your brain. The benefits of ginger Ginger, Zingiber officinale, has numerous health benefits but nothing quite beats a cup of ginger tea, which helps with the following ailments: Coughs, colds, flu and bronchitis. Lack of energy, nervous […]
Tibouchinas
This time of year is a celebration of bright pink, deep purple or blue flowered trees that peep over garden walls, distracting our eyes from the lurking potholes! I am sure that Roald Dahl was thinking of the Glory Tree or Tibouchina granulosa when he wrote about the giraffe eating the flowers of the pink […]
