Category: Reviews

The Cape Garden Centre Review

Post author By Barbara
Post date March 20, 2011
3 Comments on The Cape Garden Centre Review

I so looked forward to Friday, because my best friend was coming over and we were going to take a trip to The Cape Garden Centre in Joostenburgvlakte (just past Kraaifontein) for the day. It was another sweltering hot day, but we had aircon in the car (thank goodness!) and the drive was pleasant because we never have enough to talk about. I have been there before, but it was Christine’s first visit. It is quite a distance out of town, so it definitely needs to be a day outing. It was very quite when we were there but I would imagine that the weekends are packed with families and garden lovers. They have a huge parking area and enough staff members to show you where you need to go.

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

I enjoyed the fact that nearly the whole nursery area is under shadecloth and the misters kept us and the plants cool. It was a terribly hot day, but I never felt uncomfortable while browsing and walking around. Some of the plants, though, did show signs of the heat!

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

The entrance was clearly marked and it welcomes all garden lovers to a Utopia of everything garden-y. Everything was neatly set out and easily identified – they had the price tags clearly visible and the specials were in specific areas with huge signs. The plants were plentiful and in very good condition. It was a pity that I was not there to shop for plants that day! I was looking for structural garden stuff – a trellis, ½ barrels for potplants and an obelisk for my tomatoes. Unfortunately, I left there with none of them.

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

We did have a chance to look at the landscaped areas to get some good ideas for my garden – Christine’s garden already has a beautiful structure. Mine needs a lot of work, so any inspiration helps!

The Cape Garden Centre also caters for the kids with a huge Bugz playpark and the Bamboo restaurant also has a play area so the parents can take a breather. The service there was a bit slow, but the food was tasty. The restrooms were large and clean and I always take notice of them where ever I go.

I had my eye on a specific tree, while I was there, because of its soft branches and hunted for it in the Tree section. I had very little difficulty in finding it. All the trees were in good condition and the heights varied from 1m to 3m. I must say that all the plants were easily identifiable and the boards also assisted the shoppers with all the information you need to know about the plant – if they like full sun or sandy soil.

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

At the Cape Garden Centre, they have a large selection of pots, but none of them that suited the two of us. There was also a quaint alley with gift shops, an art gallery and a pet store for those who were not there for the plants!

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

The indoor section was large with all the knick-knacks you can buy for your indoor plants – it even had a koi fish area. Pots, plants, sprays, fertilizers – they had most everything available – even the worm farm paraphernalia. I still only left with two plants! I did buy mulch though and Christine found bulbs and enough to fill a boot, so it was a successful outing.

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

The staff were friendly and helpful and I know that I will definitely take a road trip there again. The distance, however, will prevent me from making it a habit.

Thank you Cape Garden Centre.

Contact details:

Cape Garden Centre

Tel: +27 (0)21 988 4137

Website: http://www.capegardencentre.co.za

Email: info@capegardencentre.co.za

Tags Cape Garden Centre, Cape nursery, Cape Town, Joostenburgvlakte, nursery review

Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Reviews

Stodels Nursery in Kenilworth

Post author By Christine
Post date March 11, 2011
7 Comments on Stodels Nursery in Kenilworth

Last Saturday I paid Stodels Nursery in Kenilworth a visit with the intention of doing a review. A friend has recommended Stodels to me so I was expecting good service and a good variety of plants.

I went armed with plenty of cash because … well you know I’m a sales persons dream and can’t leave a shop without buying something, even if it is just something small. Now I don’t know if it was the heat or what, but its the first time I’ve left a nursery without buying something. Seriously, I bought zero, zip, nudda, nix. Must’ve been the heat!

Their plants look healthy, they have some very nice displays, prices seemed on a par with what I am used to so there was every reason for me to buy something.

What did I like about Stodels in Kenilworth?

Parking is super convenient. It’s not a huge nursery, its actually quite small and I think they carry an amazing amount of stock. They had everything I could possibly want in the hardware department as well as all the bug-pest-insect repellents varieties known to man! I was impressed with the way they display their annuals and other plants – Clearly marked as “Sun Loving Annuals” or “Shade Loving Annuals” so ignorant wannabe gardeners (like yours truly) can’t go wrong here. Everything is well labeled – Water-wise, Indigenous, Low Shrubs, Big Trees, Shade loving – are just some of the signs that caught my eye. I liked the displays of features such as gardening furniture, bird baths and pots positioned in between plant displays so you can get an idea of how something might look in an actual garden. I liked the large selection of indigenous plants, especially the lovely Proteas and Strelizias. Everything looked clean and fresh and last but not least, their Veggie seedling selection was great!

Where to find them?

Stodels Garden Centre, Doncaster Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town.
Telephone: 021-6719050.
Operating Hours: Open every day from 09h00 to 18h00 except on Sundays when they close at 17h00.

Photo Gallery:

Tags nursery, stodels

Barbie's garden Design Gardening Home page features Products Reviews

The Magic Seeder

Hi my friend. I had the chance to test the Magic Seeder you bought for me – and what a GREAT product! You know how I find the whole process of sowing the seeds and then having to separate the seedlings quite difficult ….. when they are so delicate. I also tend to put too many seeds down and when they grow, the mass of seedlings are too compact, reason for the need to separate them. I end up leaving them as is and find it stunts the growth of all the new seedlings. Not a good way to start new life!!

So this little gem of a product is just the best!! AND I don’t get my hands full of dirt! I was able to plant my seeds in the seedling trays in a jiffy! No mess no fuss!

It’s called the Magic Seeder and is new in South Africa. It is a simple to use and extremely efficiet hand-held seeder. It can cope with seeds up to 2mm in size.It is ideal for accurately sowing seeds in plug trays, pots or seed trays. It is also used by the Royal Horticultural Society.

To order one at R79.95 contact Dani at dani@ecofootprint.co.za or visit the website at http://www.ecofootprint.co.za/. You can also see exactly how to use it! I see that the Gardening Magazine had an article on it! It should be for sale in EVERY Nursery and in every gardeners toolbox! I highly recommend it! What a nifty gadget!

Happy Gardening!!

Tags Magic Seeder, plug trays, pots, seed trays, seedlings

Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Products Reviews

What was in the box?

[one_half]Unpacked and in place[/one_half]

[one_half_last]”Irrigation system”[/one_half_last]

I didn’t make it to the nursery today – too many things going on at work – but we did manage to unpack the box and set up the new veggie planter. So what was in the box?

the wooden box
4 plastic ‘baskets’ with drainage holes (for planting)
3 irrigation stems
irrigation pipe
irrigation timer
some hose fittings
batteries
some very basic (read: stupid) instructions

I had someone help me unpack the big parcel, we carried the wooden box to its intended “spot” and then I tried to set up the irrigation pipes and stems. Well, clearly I am way too stupid for this because I had to get my daughter to help me. I felt a bit better when she agreed that the instructions were inadequate and we had it all set up by pushing, pulling and forcing! The baskets are in, now all that’s left to do is to connect the irrigation timer and connect it to the water. Then I need to populate it with vegetables and herbs … which I will buy tomorrow and plant over the weekend.

Oh, and anyone that knows me well will know that I’m not a huge fan of the very rustic look so this wooden box will be getting a lick of paint one of these days. I’m thinking white but maybe french blue although that would clash terribly with the green plastic baskets. I’m wondering if I can find white baskets in the exact same size…

PS: In fairness to the “stupid instructions”, I am not the most patient of people and I expect things to slot into place quickly and easily (like Lego!). Truth be told, the whole set up took about 15 minutes, so maybe the instructions are not that bad after all.

Happy gardening
xxx

Photo Gallery at Flickr.com

Tags vegetables, veggie garden, veggies

Christine's garden Home page features Reviews

Ferndale Nurseries – a review

Post author By Christine
Post date February 13, 2011
3 Comments on Ferndale Nurseries – a review

I went to Ferndale Nurseries (yes again!) this afternoon and this time I remembered to take my camera (not the fancy, good one, just a little point and click – I didn’t want to look like a tourist). I always enjoy going to Ferndale – even when they are busy as they were today, the service is great and the selection is superb.

I had no particular agenda today other than perhaps buying a few annuals to plant in a very shady spot out back, so I spent the better part of an hour walking around and clicking away. I arrived an hour before closing time so there weren’t many annuals left to choose from, but I managed to purchase a few.

I bought some more Alyssum to fill blank spaces in the front, Impatiens to replace the ones that got trampled and a first for me … 2 trays of Begonias. I’ve never grown these before and am not even sure I like them a lot, but the tray says they will do well in partial shade so I have a home for them! The ones I bought have light green foliage with white flowers. I also picked up a Sweet Basil to plant with my thriving Tomato plant … and a “Peppermint Plant” that I couldn’t resist because it smelt wonderful and a few other little things. I’ll post the photographs of my latest acquisitions tomorrow … its a good thing I have a big enough garden or what would I spend my money on 🙂

Ferndale Nurseries lies in the crook of Brommersvlei Road in the heart of Constantia. It’s been around for 75 years and the nursery is crammed with a litany of plants, herbs and even vegetable seedlings.

Ferndale Nurseries have been the nursery “behind all of the gardens” in the Constantia Valley for 65 years providing the backing for a green and beautiful valley. Ferndale with its 7 acre nursery offers gardeners a wide range of superior quality plants, water features, garden irrigation and excellent advice from friendly staff. A kids play area with a duck pond and an aviary makes garden shopping enjoyable for the whole family.

For Families with kids, there are also ducks, fish, rabbits, an enviable aviary and a play area that includes a sand pit, swings, slides and a jungle gym – most of these you will find in the lower reaches of the nursery alongside a pond where a host of noisy ducks and geese hang out, waiting for feeding time. There’s plenty of shade, benches for moms and dads, and a pretty little lavender maze. There’s just no tea room…

[one_half]This is where the catch me, everytime …[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Incredible edibles[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lovely Roses[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Beautiful ornamental grasses[/one_half_last]

Ferndale Nurseries Photo Gallery: View the slide show:

Or click here to see them on Flickr: Ferndale Nurseries on Flickr.com

Tags elgin, ferndale, nurseries, nursery in Elgin, nursery review, review

Christine's garden Gardening Miscellaneous Reviews

My favourite gardening magazine

Post author By Christine
Post date January 23, 2011
1 Comment on My favourite gardening magazine

My favourite gardening magazine is The Gardener (South African Magazine). The February issue has just arrived in the shops so I got it today and as always it is packed full of interesting articles and information. Its perfect for a novice gardener like myself because there is so much to learn. Their blurb goes “We know South Africans love their gardens! This magazine inspires the home enthusiast with practical ideas for maintaining and enhancing their gardens, patios and backyards. New plants and products are mentioned first in The Gardener and there is also a special focus on indigenous gardening in South Africa“.

This month they have a feature on Frangipanis. A gorgeous 4 page spread that makes me want to rush out and buy one of these beautiful trees. I have one in my garden – it has yellow flowers and fills the front garden with the most wonderful scent in spring, but oh … I so badly want one of these pink ones like they have on the cover. Isn’t it beautiful?

There is a very useful article on growing veggies – with a section on which veggies to grow in shady areas. That was very useful for me because the spot my veggie planter is going to be positioned in does not get full sun all day long. So good to know what I can expect to produce.

As always it has a full article on what we should be doing in our gardens next month (February) – also useful to have for Mrs Black Fingers here!! All in all this is a fantastic magazine – of all the gardening mags I’ve bought this is my favourite.

You can see their website at: http://www.thegardener.co.za/

Tags magazine, the gardener

Barbie's garden Design Do it yourself Gardening Products Reviews

The DIY Planter

Here is the Planter you gave me for my birthday. I just love it! It works beautifully and I so love this that I am going to make more for the garden – they are simple to put together. And now that you have given me your dimensions, we are going to be busy building a whole lot of them. They are waist high, so you have an easy reach when you pick your ‘salad’ for lunch and no pests. What a pleasure.

Tags DIY planter, organic salad