Venue: ‘Sunbirds’, Constantia Valley.
Host & guest speaker: The meeting was held at the stunning home and garden of Bridget Berg who was our host and speaker as well. Our thanks to Bridget. What a treat to all who attended!
“Above all do no harm”.
The topic presented by Bridget was “bringing wildlife to your garden”. Bridget is a qualified medical doctor, artist and an avid gardener with a passion for creating a balanced eco-system in her garden and for the greater good of nature. She is a member of the Constantia Valley Garden club.
We all learnt a lot about accommodating for wildlife by planting correctly and providing food, water and shelter for a variety of creatures (even pests have their place). The essence of organic gardening was once again stressed upon.
* Refer to Bridget’s list of bird, butterfly, frog and bee friendly indigenous plants on the blog.
Books to read on this topic: “Bring Nature back to your Garden” by C & J Botha.
News
Welcome: Michelle Van Den Berg who attended her first Flourish meeting.
Library: There are books available on loan. If you have any books to donate/ borrow please bring them along to the next meeting. Thanks to Bridget for donating some great garden magazines to our club library.
Blog site: http://flourishgardenclub.wordpress.com.
Ally encouraged members to use the FAQ section of the blog site as well as our ‘what’s on’ section and ‘what to do in your garden this month’. – this will help us keep up to date with our flourish projects, thanks Ally.
What to do in your garden this month was presented by Trish (all of which is available in detail on the Flourish blog):
- Mulch
- Treating your compost
- Pick out pests
- Cut back plectranthus
- Fertilize winter flowering plants
- List of winter vegetables to grow
Queries:
Q: My Milkweed is covered in caterpillars! Experts’ (team Jeanette & Glenda) answer: This is the African Monarch butterfly.
Q: When should we give our plants the last feed for the season? Experts’ answer: Now. No more feeding for the winter season.
Plant Giveaways:
- Karen gave Chrysanthemoides – birds love them, good windbreak.
- Jo gave Organic granadillas seedlings – stick them in the ground in a sunny spot with a trellis, give a bit of compost and hope for the best! You should get granadillas in one year for 3 years.
- Niki gave a Vinca to the club members.
Plant Draw donated by Jeanette: Miscanthus Zebrinus: A ½ meter tall type of grass – grasses are very in vogue in gardens at the moment.
Owl box: Jeanette has the details of who to contact. They cost R800 each and R300 pa to maintain. Suggestion, share with your neighbours.
- by Jo Austin
Hi there,
I wondered whether anyone might be interested: I have just removed a big clump of Ruscus (shade-loving plant, up to about 1m in height)used as a filler in the garden and for flower-arrangements) and have lots to give away. Please contact me asap if you would like some (or it will be composted!).
Best wishes,
Brigitte Berg
P.S. Having just read your minutes, would you mind if I corrected a couple of plant names in the “plant giveaway” section? It should read Chrysanthemoides monilifera and Vinca