𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Deadheading is simply removing spent blooms before they set seed. It sounds fussy. It is not. It is one of the most effective ways to encourage continuous flowering through spring and into summer in the Eastern Cape.

Here is why it works.

A plant’s job is to make seeds. Once a flower has been pollinated and begins to develop seeds, the plant thinks its work is done. It stops producing new flowers. Deadhead that spent bloom before seeds form, and the plant panics slightly - it has not succeeded yet. So it keeps flowering. It keeps trying.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆.

Use clean secateurs or sharp scissors. Cut just below the spent flower head, removing the entire stem back to the next leaf or node. Do not just pinch off the flower head - remove the stem structure too.

For roses - cut at a 45-degree angle, cutting the spent flower head down to the first leaf stem with at least five leaves. This gives the plant enough foliage to support new growth and branch development. The plant will push new stems from that leaf node, creating multiple flower stems instead of just one.

For other flowers, cut to the nearest healthy leaf. The plant will branch from that point, creating multiple flower stems instead of just one.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱.

Daily if you can. Weekly if daily is unrealistic. The sooner you remove spent blooms, the sooner new ones form. In the Eastern Cape’s spring heat, flowers fade quickly - do not let them sit.

Do this through September, October and November, and your gardens will be in constant bloom. Which is, incidentally, exactly the kind of continuous colour you will see at Bedford’s open gardens.

For event information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za. Visit www.bedford.co.za.

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𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘂𝘀

𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻.

Ranunculus (Ranonkel in Afrikaans) are natives to warmer regions and bloom beautifully in the Eastern Cape from late winter through to spring - roughly August through October. In the cooler months, they flower longer and produce more blooms. Plant them now and by August you will have colour when most gardens are still waking up.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻:

▪ Long vase life - cut blooms last two weeks or longer

▪ Multiple flowers per plant - one corm produces abundant stems

▪ Available in almost every colour except true blue and green

▪ Incredibly full, layered petals that look like roses crossed with peonies

▪ They thrive in cool weather and actually prefer it

▪ Easy to grow from corms - plant them like tulips

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

Plant ranunculus corms in March to April in the Eastern Cape (autumn). Space them 10cm apart in well-draining soil enriched with compost. Plant the corm with claws down. Water well after planting, then moderately through the season. They prefer moist but not waterlogged soil.

Bloom begins in June or July (depending on your microclimate) and continues through spring. By October, when the gardens open at Bedford, your ranunculus will be at their peak.

This is the flower Adele and Lente at Floradella are absolutely adoring right now. Come and see why.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za. Visit www.bedford.co.za.

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𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻. 𝗧𝗮𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

What is growing in your garden right now? What are you proud of? What surprised you this year? Share a photo and tag a friend who needs to see it.

We are building a community of Eastern Cape gardeners who care about what grows, who listen to their soil, who understand that a garden is conversation between you and the land.

𝗧𝗮𝗴 𝘂𝘀. 𝗧𝗮𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱.

And remember - come October, you can visit sixteen gardens and steal all the best ideas.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za. Visit www.bedford.co.za.

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

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𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲. 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟯.

Adele Taljard and her daughter Lente have built a business around what they adore - seasonal flowers, cut fresh, arranged beautifully, delivered with care. Weddings. Functions. Shop bunches. Workshops that teach you how to do it yourself.

Right now, they are obsessed with Ranunculus - buttercups with layers of petals that refuse to apologise for their beauty. Come and see what they have created.

During the 2026 event, 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 is open on the Fridays and Saturdays, but not on the Sundays. @floradella_farm_flowers

Event dates are from 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. Bring your camera. Bring an appetite for colour.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za. Visit www.bedford.co.za.

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #buttercup ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀. 𝗡𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱.

Herbs thrive in containers. Basil, parsley, mint, chives, oregano, thyme - all of them grow happily in pots on a patio, balcony or windowsill. In the Eastern Cape, where space and water can both be at a premium, container herbs are smart gardening.

Here is how to do it right.

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘁.

A pot with drainage holes is essential. Herbs hate sitting in water. Terracotta breathes. Plastic retains moisture longer. Choose based on your watering habits - if you forget to water, plastic. If you are diligent, terracotta is fine.

𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹.

Do not use garden soil in containers. It compacts and drains poorly. Use a quality potting mix - it drains better and holds nutrients longer. Fill the pot three-quarters full, add your herb seedlings, top up with soil.

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆.

In spring and summer, herbs need consistent moisture but not waterlogged roots. Stick your finger into the soil. If the top centimetre is dry, water. In winter, ease back - herbs slow down and need less.

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆.

A balanced, diluted fertiliser once a month keeps herbs productive. Hungry plants produce weaker growth.

𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁.

Pinch off flower buds as they appear - this keeps the plant bushy and productive rather than focused on flowering. Harvest regularly. The more you pick, the more it grows.

Container herbs mean fresh basil in December, parsley through winter, mint for tea in spring. Start now.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za. Visit www.bedford.co.za.

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #basil #gardenherbs ...

𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

What you see in October and November - the blooms, the colour, the abundance - is only the final chapter. The real story began months ago. In winter. In the cold. In the quiet work of tending, pruning, feeding, waiting.

Every garden you visit has been loved for 365 days. Every rose has been tended. Every bed has been turned. Every path has been walked a thousand times by someone who knows every plant by name.

This is what visitors rarely see. This is what makes the magic real.

𝗔 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼:

Sit beneath old trees and remember who you are. Walk slowly and notice things. Breathe air that smells like earth and flowers. Take photographs that you will keep forever. Have conversations that matter. Watch bees work. Listen to birdsong. Feel small and part of something larger all at once.

Featured Garden: Eildon

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za.

Visit www.bedford.co.za.

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa ...

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

Gardens are where we remember what is real. Where we slow down. Where we work with nature instead of against it. Where we grow things - food, beauty, resilience, hope.

A garden is proof that patience works. That small decisions matter. That something beautiful can flourish when tended with attention and care.

This is Fairholt - waterwise, indigenous, thriving without fuss. This is what a garden can be.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za.

Visit www.bedford.co.za.

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa ...

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗰 (𝗧𝘂𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗴𝗵𝗶𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗮)

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀. 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗔 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹.

Wild Garlic is native to the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo - which means it knows exactly what to do in your garden. Strap-like leaves that smell unmistakably of garlic when bruised. Clusters of mauve flowers that bloom from September right through to April. Butterflies and bees love it.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁:

▪ Tolerates hot, dry beds and thrives with moderate watering during dry spells

▪ Evergreen and frost-hardy - winter or summer, it is there

▪ The leaves and flowers are edible - use them in salads and dishes

▪ Acts as a natural insect repellent when crushed on the skin

▪ Perfect as an edging plant, groundcover or mass planting 

Plant it in full sun or partial shade. Give it well-drained soil. Leave it alone. It will do the rest. By spring, your borders will be alive with mauve flowers and pollinator activity.

For event information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za. Visit www.bedford.co.za.

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𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿. 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲.

In the Eastern Cape, late August and September is when you reach for the fertiliser. Soil temperatures are rising. Days are lengthening. Your plants are waking up and they need fuel.

This is not about overfeeding. It is about timing.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱.

Wait until soil temperatures reach roughly 13 degrees Celsius - roughly mid to late August in the Eastern Cape. Below this, plants cannot absorb nutrients anyway. You are wasting the feed. Above it, plants are ready to use what you give them.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲.

A balanced, slow-release fertiliser works beautifully — something like 3:1:5 or 2:3:2, applied according to label instructions. This feeds the plant steadily over weeks rather than a quick spike that washes away with the first rain.

For roses, apply a rose-specific fertiliser once. For vegetables and annuals, a lighter application every 3-4 weeks through spring works best.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆.

Work fertiliser into the soil around the base of plants, keeping it at least 10cm away from stems. Water in gently. In the Eastern Cape’s spring wind, a quick watering ensures the granules do not blow away and the nutrients reach where they are needed.

Feed now, and by October your garden will be ready to show off.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or hello@bedford.co.za. Visit www.bedford.co.za.

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #fertilizer #opengardenssa ...