Page 27 - Landscape-Issue155

FEATURE

Container gardening Cultural requirements harvesting techniques such as well
In a townhouse garden, mixed container In order to grow top quality edibles, be positioned water storage tanks, rain chains
sizes offer the greatest control over the mindful of the following guidelines: and even greywater in times of drought.
gardening process. For small spaces, • There are no shade-loving vegetables, • Practise crop rotation wherever possible,
consider vertical gardening using trellises, therefore a position with a minimum of and companion planting.
hanging baskets as well as recycled items 6-8 hours sunlight is essential. Usually • Practise low tillage farming/gardening
such as wheelbarrows, watering cans, north, north-east and north-west facing – don’t strip the soil bare and always
buckets etc. positions are suitable. Some herbs and a maintain plant cover to prevent soil
few flowers are tolerant of semi-shade, but compaction and weed invasion.
Raised beds: This is simply a growing these need to be carefully selected.
space that is raised off the ground. Raised • Soils should be well drained and sandy. Conclusion
beds are usually made from bricks, blocks, Increasing the organic matter is essential Given the wealth of ideas both locally and
timber or galvanised metal. Usually, a width and this can be done through on-site internationally, there is no reason not to
of 1200 mm is good, with a length of 2500 composting of kitchen and garden waste. branch out and incorporate edibles into your
-3000m depending on space. Height can • Avoid damp spots; if these are too next garden design. There is simply no end
vary from 400 – 600 mm. Some residents expensive or difficult to drain, plant arums, to the number of novel plant combinations
like to recycle materials such as old sedges and edible, water-loving mints. you can develop by fusing both ornamental
bathtubs, sinks, or even rubber tyres. Raised • Plant in a protected sheltered position and edible plants into a single coherent
beds offer practical advantages including away from strong winds. landscape.
visual interest, control of growing media, • Mulch heavily using straw bales or mature
improved drainage and elevation, and a chipped leaves. Avoid gravel as this tends For further information contact
more comfortable way to work without to increase soil temperatures very rapidly. Dr Jonathan Foley on 083 320 4335 or
causing back pain. • Water frequently using rainwater groundlevellandscapes5@gmail.com

Above and right: Pineapples make a heat-loving groundcover

Tea tree bushes are hardy and produce oil which
has antiseptic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory
Macadamia nut trees form part of the avenue Raised gumpole vegetable beds with gabion medicinal properties
planting at Elaleni Estate terraces at Elaleni Estate

Dragon fruit cactus feature at Elaleni Estate Trellis of passion fruit at Elaleni Estate An avenue of edibles at Elaleni Estate n

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 154 2025 25