Garden Day, which is set to be celebrated on 12 October, isn’t just about appreciating your garden and sharing it with friends and neighbours. It’s your chance to make a difference for the environment. Whether you’re tending a sprawling lawn, a balcony planter, or even a single window box, small changes can add up to a big impact for the planet.
This is according to Katherine Forsythe, Northern Cape/Arid Landscape Manager at WWF South Africa, who says that conservation begins at home. “Every indigenous plant you choose, every drop of water you save, and every insect-friendly corner you create adds up to a healthier ecosystem.”
Here’s how to get started:
Plant Like a Patriot: Before you reach for that exotic bloom, consider the power of indigenous plants. These plants are adapted to our climate, meaning they are naturally water-wise and low-maintenance. More importantly, they provide the specific food and shelter that local bees, butterflies, and birds need to thrive. Unsure where to start? Visit a local indigenous nursery for expert advice or use a reliable plant identification app to discover the species native to your corner of the country.
Create a Buzz: A garden without pollinators is just decoration. To create a true ecosystem, invite the bees, butterflies, and birds by planting a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year, offering a continuous food supply. Pollinators are particularly drawn to blue, purple, yellow, and white flowers with open, accessible blooms. Adding a shallow dish of water with pebbles for them to land on provides a vital drinking station, turning your garden into a five-star resort for these essential creatures.
Eat Your Garden: Reduce your carbon footprint by growing your own food. Whether it’s a few herbs in a window box or a full vegetable patch, home-grown produce eliminates the distance your food needs to travel and guarantees the freshest flavour without you having to worry about harmful pesticides. Start with easy options like lettuce, spinach, and cherry tomatoes.
Don’t Waste Your Waste: Turn your kitchen scraps and garden trimmings into ‘black gold’ by starting a compost pile. Composting diverts organic waste from landfills, where it would otherwise release potent greenhouse gases. Instead, you create a free, nutrient-rich superfood for your soil that helps it hold more water and naturally fertilises your plants, making your entire garden more resilient. Don’t compost meat, dairy, oils, pet waste, or diseased plants, as these can attract pests or spread disease.
Be Water-Wise: With water becoming an increasingly precious resource, a water-wise garden is essential. Plant drought-tolerant, indigenous plants (a practice known as xeriscaping), use mulch to keep the soil moist, and install a rain barrel to capture and reuse every drop you can. Group plants with similar water needs together, and water them deeply but less frequently to encourage root growth. These simple strategies can cut your garden’s water consumption dramatically while keeping it thriving.
Ditch the Chemicals: Go all-natural with your pest control. Chemical pesticides can harm beneficial insects, soil microbes, and even find their way into the water table. Embrace natural solutions like companion planting (such as marigolds near tomatoes, basil near peppers) or using simple soap-and-water sprays to manage pests without damaging the ecosystem.
“Remember, you don’t need to transform your entire garden overnight. Start with one indigenous plant, one compost bin, or one chemical-free season. Small steps, taken by many gardeners across the country, create the wave of change our ecosystems desperately need,” concludes Forsythe.
