gardening

I have lived in Jo’burg for 13 years now, and have never really gelled with the place, my impression will always be of cold, hard, sharp edges, a half-starved model who shuns embrace.  I am a Natal girl at heart and always will be, sweet Natal ever soft and warm.  Still a day like today softens my perceptions and leaves …

This week my Mum was visiting from Durban, I took her to my favourite place, the Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre.  It’s a long drive, about 100km from home in Boksburg but so worth the trip, the scenery in the area makes you feel that you are on a mini holiday.  The centre is only open on Wednesdays and the 1st …

There has been no rain for about 8 days but that’s about to change.  This wonderful flower tells me so.  I would love to know the name of this plant which is a small round cactus.  Weather forecasts may be wrong but this flower never is.  When they open I know that it will rain in the next 48 hours, …

When it comes to health matters before running to a doctor I like to try natural healing methods.  This week I had rotten sinusitis and a bad cough.  I had a look at what herbs I had available then looked up the medicinal benefits in my herb books.  I have 2 books by Jekka McVicar and a Margaret Roberts book.  …