About Me:
My interest in plants and gardens began in early primary school years in my grandfather’s garden. He helped me discover my love of plants as he showed me how he managed his special rose bushes, built a compost heap, and how to care for fruit trees.
I know now that those days discovering the magic of plants led to me become a passionate horticulturalist.
After experimenting in my own garden with a variety of plants from indigenous to exotic shrubs to flowering seeds and annuals, and seasonal vegetable annuals. My first crop of tomatoes was a super bumper crop that amazed and inspired me to really study various methods of plant growing.
So in 2011 I began the Diploma Course in Horticulture at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Here I really discovered my natural affinity and true life passion is with - "PLANTS".
I achieved the National Diploma in Horticulture in 2013 and went on to obtain the Bachelor of Technology in Horticulture in 2014.
I have acquired expertise to grow many plants, especially indigenous species with ease as during this time I was able to gain practical experience working at several local nurseries and a wholesale production nursery and a local Landscaping firm. In addition I've also successfully completed landscaping projects on my own and gained further experience and knowledge within the horticultural industry.
I really enjoy growing seasonal vegetables, fruits and herbs, which fuels my favourite and relaxing ‘hobby’ of cooking healthy and nutritious dishes that contain ingredients which I have grown. Following on from growing food my interest in medicinal plants and herbs are also to contribute to a sense of wellbeing and vitality. There are many ‘commonly found’ plants that are beneficial to daily life and can be used in a variety of forms, as teas, tinctures, ointments, essential oils and creams made by using these incredible edible plants.
MY FAVORITE SPECIALTIES ARE:
- Setting up an organic vegetable garden and will customize according to the desired size and type. I can convert existing flowerbeds to a vegetable garden, start from scratch, or bring in a variety of plant box types – depending on your family or organizations needs.
- Pruning/shaping and the revitalizing of fruit bearing trees (deciduous and citrus).
- Getting your lawn back into shape and set up for the season ahead.
- Advising your weekly/monthly gardener on how to look after and treat specific plants and in lawn maintenance.
- Advising on, purchasing and setting up irrigation systems for vegetable and flowering annuals; and similarly for lawns and turfs.
- Advising on, setting up a water feature or pond specifically for your garden size, type and style.
- If you don't know how to prune specific plants, I'll advise you!
- I can give discounted rates for Southern Suburbs residents.
Gardening Tips:
I’ll show you easy and inexpensive ways to help you garden more easily:
For example:
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Effective ways to manage snails and choose and plant insect repelling plants in your vegetable patch.
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I can also take it to a more serious level and set up a permaculture garden so you can work with nature and plan ahead for the future benefit of your garden,
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I can show you how you can bring in higher yields in your existing vegetable garden, without using harsh chemicals.
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I can turn your current suburban garden into a sustainable food and flower garden by combining new ‘green’ methods of inter-planting to enhance flavours, deter pests, save water, with no bare patches.
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I can set up a water wise garden to save precious water, valuable time and money by planting a variety of plants that naturally thrives in your specific micro climate.
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I can show you ways to attract beneficial insects, birds, lizards and beneficial mammals to help control the number of pests in your garden, and a diverse ecosystem in your garden.
