Garden world

'What, you may ask, does a stunning mosaic pizza oven have to do with a permanent vegetable garden at Garden World Nursery? Well, we had a notion that it would be wonderful to show people how enjoyable it is to grow, pick, cook (or not) and eat the produce from your own garden – no carbon footprint, fresher than fresh, tastier than gourmet, and if you grow it organically, the best thing you can do for your health. If you don't want to follow an Italian theme or don't have a built in pizza oven, simply adjust your garden produce to suit your lifestyle,' says Linda Galvad.

So, lets start at the beginning – that would be with seeds. We are the proud stockists of the Franchi Sementi Italian Seed range, which showcases the most exquisite vegetables that we have ever seen in this country: purple Di Sicilia di Violetta cauliflower, purple beans, purple Kohlrabi, lime green Romanesco Precoce cauliflower, red and white striped Tonda Di Chioggia beetroot, among others. Could you imagine over 60 varieties of amazing vegetables available just for winter planting? Our stock of seeds has currently over 190 varieties, with even more exciting seeds coming in for Spring/Summer planting, like tomatoes that will weigh in at over 250gms, ox-heart shaped, and will be bigger than the palm of your hand. Almost all of the seeds are heirloom seeds and are part of an awesome certified organic range.

What is an heirloom seed? Think of your inheritance, your great grandmother's favourite plate, cutlery, ring or suchlike. Well its the same with heirloom seeds. They are passed on from generation to generation. The Franchi Sementi brand is a family-run business going for over 200 years and seven generations. Their growers, in many instances, have been producing the same seed for over five generations. Precious indeed. Why? Heirloom seeds are harvested from the plants that are left to go to seed, for generation after generation of production. These seeds, when planted again, will produce the next crop of the same quality vegetable or flower.

Heirloom seeds are the key to food security now and in the future. People have sought heirloom seeds of vegetables that they knew 'at home', no doubt wanting to ensure that they could keep the thread of their culture through their food. Interestingly, purple cauliflower is an heirloom of the Cape. Our sugar sweet round carrots, Pariser Markt 4, are an heirloom of Paris. They were developed because the soil in Paris was very clay-like and the root could not develop into the long shaft of carrots as we know them. There are so many interesting histories to heirloom seeds, and they are the obvious way to go in our home organic garden.

Organic growing is the only way to secure your health when it comes to food. Please do not be swayed by naysayers. You will find it out for yourself. Just start. How? Quite simply, with the soil. Establish your compost heap in the corner or in a bin and put all your raw kitchen scraps in there, along with your autumn fallen leaves, and such, so that you can produce lots of lovely black humus and earthworms, which you are going to use in your garden. A simple test will tell you what the needs of your soil are. (It will help you a lot to join us on one of our Organic Vegetable Growing Courses and have some fun while you learn all you need to know.) Linda, the owner of Sought After Seedlings, is passionate about vegetables, and driven by her desire for something different and her love of cooking, she went out and found these outstanding varieties. Put your Franchi Sementi seeds into the ground or your seedling nursery cups and trays, water them, protect them and, before you know it, you will be harvesting your own fresh produce.

Children will benefit from seeing nature take its course, learn patience (and get over immediate gratification), and enjoy the wonder of eating something they have grown. No, we don't want to hear that you don't have garden space. Plant vegetables between your flowers, put them in pots on your patio or balcony, if you live in an apartment, or grow them in a sunny spot inside, such as your kitchen windowsill, or a sunny spot in your lounge or bedroom. Micro greens are the new health in a flash and, yes, we will teach you how to do it.

Vertical gardening, gardening in small spaces, companion planting and crop rotation can all be viewed at our Garden World Nursery permanent garden, which we established with Jacques Damhuis from GRO4U, who helped us design and create our winter edible garden. Jacques specialises in establishing edible gardens and faux finishes. We hope you will visit us there and be motivated and inspired to grow your own food and create an edible garden. SG

Visit www.soughtafterseedlings.co.za or see ad below

for more info.

SIMPLY GREEN READER'S DAY LECTURE

with radio personality Lynton Johnson at the Garden World Spring Festival

Date: Saturday 18 August 2012

Time:  09h30 for 10h00.

Topic: Planning for Summer Vegetables

            & Colour

Cost: R65 per person & includes

            the talk, refreshments & amazing

            prize giveaways

This year the Festival from 27 July to 2 September will feature exciting Designer Gardens, the Gold Award Winning 2012 Kirstenbosch-SA Chelsea Exhibit, Gardens 'Through the Eyes of a Child', an Indigenous Exhibit by Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden & a Water Wise exhibit created by Rand Water. Garden World is particularly pleased to be hosting the Gold Award Winning 2012 Kirstenbosch-SA Chelsea Flower Show themed 'Gateways – A Botanical Journey', the exhibit combines nature & our cultural diversity to create an intriguing combination of rich botanical biodiversity and iconic architectural elements offering glimpses into the land in which, we live. The exhibit is rather like the diary of a traveler, the visitor is taken on a journey through changing botanical & cultural landscapes that show our unique flora against the backdrop of water-colour paintings of picturesque locations. This was the 37th year that South Africa was represented at Chelsea.

Entrance to the Designer Gardens & the Chelsea Exhibit is R20pp & children u/12 years free.

For more information on the festival contact Magriet / Corné on 011 957 2545 /

011 956 3003 or 083 997 6142 or

visit www.gardenworld.co.za