𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲’𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.

Nellie’s Garden sits 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻, and it is impossible to walk through without noticing the care. Every bed has been thoughtfully planted. Every border flows into the next. Colour is deliberate, not accidental. The garden reads as a conversation between someone who knows plants and someone who respects space.

What makes Nellie’s Garden different is not just what grows there, but what you can take with you. 𝗔𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 - the chance to recreate something you have fallen in love with, to bring a piece of Bedford back to your own garden. Visitors rarely leave empty-handed.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁-𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲. Semi-formal, approachable, and full of ideas you can actually steal.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲’𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 at the 2026 event - 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the gate.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 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 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆. 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄.

Every weed you ignore in July is a problem in October. This is especially true in the Eastern Cape, where winter weeds germinate in the cooler months and establish deep roots before spring arrives.

Here is why timing matters.

Winter weeds - chickweed, wild oats, shepherd’s purse - are easier to pull when soil is moist from rain. Their roots come out cleanly. In spring, once they have set seed, you are fighting a losing battle. One plant can produce thousands of seeds.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲.

Our winter rains soften the soil. Use this to your advantage. Walk your beds now. Pull weeds by hand if the soil is damp - the roots come out intact, which means they won’t regrow. For larger patches, remove the top 5cm of soil and replace it with fresh compost.

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿.

The cardinal rule: remove weeds before they flower and set seed. Once you see a flower head, that weed has already decided its future.

Do this now, and spring will be quieter. Your beds will be cleaner. Your roses will have less competition for water and nutrients. Which is, incidentally, how the gardens at Bedford start their season so beautifully.

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 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗞𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗹

𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

Kokskraal is one of the newest gardens to open its gates to visitors. Liza Troskie is not an experienced gardener in the traditional sense - she is learning as she goes, discovering things through trial and paying attention. What she brings instead is an artist’s eye. Colour, texture, the way light falls across a bed, the emotional resonance of a space - these are her languages, and they have 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻.

The physical space took work. Anderson, Toyce and Thembinkosi shaped the bones of it - the paths, the beds, the borders - bringing skill and humour to every corner. What emerged is an English-country style garden with sweeping lawns, quiet corners and the kind of gentle landscape that invites you to slow down.

𝗞𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲. That incompleteness is part of its charm. A garden that is still learning is a garden that feels alive.

Visit Kokskraal at the 2026 event - 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the gate.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 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 ...

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆

𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝘆. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿.

The 2026 Bedford Country Gardens event runs over two long weekends - 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. Every year, visitors from across South Africa and beyond book accommodation months in advance. Every year, the popular places sell out.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

If you are planning to visit, book now. Do not wait. The longer you leave it, the fewer options remain.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, contact Barbara Church on 083 354 8841 or visit www.bedford.co.za.

The village has everything from guest farms to intimate lodges to self-catering cottages. All of it books quickly. All of it is worth it. But only if you book early.

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

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

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

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁.

Winter is lean season for birds. Insects disappear. Flowering plants fade. Food becomes scarce. This is the exact moment when providing for them matters most - not because you are being soft, but because birds work hard for your garden. They control insects, scatter seeds, aerate soil. In winter, they earn their keep even when the garden looks bare.

Here is what you can do right now.

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿.

A bird feeder filled with wild bird seed will attract sunbirds, canaries, and seed-eating species when offered food. A simple bird bath or shallow dish of fresh water (changed daily) is essential. Birds need water for drinking and bathing, especially in winter when natural water sources freeze or dry up.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗿.

Aloe ferox and aloe marlothii flower in winter and early spring, offering tall spikes of red or orange flowers that attract sunbirds and sugarbirds when little else is available. Plant them now, and they will be working for you through the coldest months.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Dense shrubs and trees offer protection from frosty nights and wind. Leave rough areas unmulched - mulch with leaves and garden clippings to create an insect pantry for robins and thrushes foraging beneath.

Do this through winter, and by October your garden will be visited by more birds than you thought possible. Which is, conveniently, exactly what you see when you visit Bedford’s gardens in bloom.

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 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗔 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺

The SA Rosarium exists because one woman spent decades asking a simple question: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺?

𝗗𝗿 𝗚𝘄𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻 spent years tracing heritage roses across the Cape and beyond, discovering forgotten varieties growing beside old farmhouses, churches and gravestones. She realised these living pieces of history were quietly disappearing, with no dedicated place preserving the original plants from which so many South African garden roses descended.

Inspired by Dr Fagan’s life’s work, a group of passionate rose enthusiasts 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗔 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 to safeguard these remarkable heritage roses for future generations. Today, the garden serves as a living collection of the original roses that have shaped gardens across South Africa for centuries.

During the 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹, visitors are invited to stroll through the beautiful rose beds, chat with the gardeners, enjoy coffee and homemade treats at the Rose Café, and experience the fragrance of old roses in full bloom.

Old rose plants propagated from the collection will also be 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹, giving visitors the opportunity to take home a piece of South Africa’s horticultural heritage. Proceeds from plant sales and festival visitors help support the ongoing care and preservation of this unique garden.

For anyone who loves gardening, history and heritage roses, the SA Rosarium is a special destination.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗔 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 - 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the ...

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟵 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟯, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆.

Before the gardens open to the public, before the first visitor steps through the first gate, we are gathering at the Duke of Bedford to celebrate 23 years of something quietly extraordinary. An evening of champagne, canapés, and the good company of the people who have made this event what it is.

𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲:
Tuesday, 29 October 2026 | 17:30 at the Duke of Bedford
@dukeofbedfordsa

𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: R120 per person (includes champagne and canapés)

RSVP via WhatsApp to Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816.

Come and celebrate the launch of the 23rd edition of the Bedford Country Gardens. Two weekends of open gardens, four distinct routes, approximately 16 remarkable spaces, and the start of what promises to be the finest event yet.

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱. 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 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 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Right now, in winter, your garden is quiet. The bees have retreated. The butterflies are elsewhere. But the work you do in the next few weeks will determine whether they return in October, when Bedford’s gardens start their grand display.

Pollinators - 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘀 - are not optional. Bees need nectar for carbohydrates and pollen for protein. Without them, your flowers will not set seed. Your fruit trees will not fruit. Your spring garden will be half-empty.

The good news: attracting them costs almost nothing and requires no special skill.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻.

Indigenous plants like agapanthus, aloe, Cape honeysuckle, wild dagga and plumbago provide both nectar and pollen and have evolved alongside local pollinators. Plant flowers in groups to make it easier for bees to find them. A cluster of three or five plants of the same species is far more visible than a single scattered specimen.

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻.

In the Eastern Cape, aloe ferox and aloe marlothii bloom in winter and early spring, offering tall spikes of red or orange flowers that attract bees and sugarbirds. These are not spring bloomers - they are winter bloomers - which means they bridge the gap when little else is flowering. 

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿.

A bee’s favourite colours are yellow and blue, while sunbirds favour red and orange. Butterflies are attracted to almost everything. Plant a mix and you cover all the bases.

Do this now, and by the time October arrives your garden will be ready. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆.

Glen Gregor sits quietly in the Cowie Valley, surrounded by farmland that has been worked the same way for generations. The garden itself is unpretentious - Shirley Ainslie tends it with an eye for structure and a respect for simplicity. No excess. No fuss. Just thoughtful maintenance and the kind of practical gardening that knows what it wants to do.

Beneath the surface runs family history. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀, the layers of farming heritage that define this part of the Eastern Cape - all of it tells a story.

Visit Glen Gregor at the 2026 event - 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the gate.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 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 ...

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺?

We have plastered Bedford and beyond with posters. Roads, shops, community noticeboards, the lot. If you live in or pass through the village, chances are you have walked past one.

𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄: have you spotted our posters? Drop a comment and tell us where you saw them. Better yet - tag a friend and tell them to look out for it. Every post, every corner, every reminder helps spread the word.

The 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 event is happening over two long weekends:

▪ 30 October — 1 November
▪ 6 — 8 November

Approximately 16 private gardens. Four distinct routes: Town, Mountain, Cowie Valley and Heading West.
Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00. Entry is R30 per garden, payable in cash at the gate.

Routes wind through heritage gardens, farm gardens, water-wise landscapes and spaces tended for decades. Guided talks, plant sales, rose tastings, gin tastings, scones, coffee and the kind of slow travel that reminds you why you love this region in the first place.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄. 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 or email hello@bedford.co.za.

Visit www.bedford.co.za.

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

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

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗘𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗼𝗻

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻. 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲.

Eildon came to Taryn seven years ago, inheritance and mystery in equal measure. She knew little about gardening. The garden knew everything. 𝗜𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, filled with history and shape, and very clearly had opinions about what it wanted to become.

Instead of fighting it, Taryn listened. She learned. Three years ago, Sikelela joined her, and the garden shifted. What had been careful stewardship became a true collaboration - two people walking the beds daily, 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹, learning together what the seasons required.

The result is difficult to describe in a single post. It is a gathering place, full of colour and fragrance. 𝗔 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿. A space that works - nothing is accidental, nothing is pretentious, everything serves the life that happens within it.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗘𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 - 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the gate.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 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 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

In the Eastern Cape, frost sneaks up on cloudless, windless nights between May and August. The danger happens quietly - cell sap in your plants freezes, expands, and ruptures the cell walls. The plant does not stand a chance. By morning, frost-tender growth is blackened. Leaves turn translucent. The damage is done.

But you can stop it. The Eastern Cape gardener has simple, cost-free weapons.

𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

A thick blanket of compost, bark chips, straw or dried leaves spread around vulnerable plants creates insulation at soil level. Aim for 5 to 7 cm. Keep it clear of plant stems - touching bark causes rot. This matters most for recently planted trees and shrubs, which have not yet settled their root systems.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲.

On the night a hard frost is forecast, drape old bedsheets, blankets or hessian loosely over tender plants. Let the fabric reach all the way to the ground and secure it with bricks or stakes. The point is to trap ground heat as it radiates upwards, not to smother the plant. Remove the cover on warm days - it does more harm than good if left on.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

North-facing walls are warmer. Frost settles in low-lying areas. Raised beds stay a few degrees warmer than ground-level beds. If you have potted tender plants - basil, citrus, camellias - move them under a sheltered patio or garage on the night frost arrives. They can come back outside when temperatures lift.

𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱:

▪ Do not water plants late in the day or overnight. Water on foliage will freeze and accelerate frost damage.
▪ Do not prune in winter. New growth is frost-tender. Leave the pruning unti ...