Bedford
Bedford, South Africa.
Where Country Charm Meets Vibrant Living
Tucked against the breathtaking Kaggaberg mountain, Bedford is a gem of the Eastern Cape, a place where life is lived with heart, humour, and a deep love for the land. Famous for our Bedford Country Gardens (held every October/November), weโre known for fun-loving farmers, fabulous hospitality, and landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Here, historic charm meets wide-open spaces. Rolling grasslands and dramatic valleys - Mankazana, Cowie, and Baviaans River - are home to Angoras, Merinos, beef cattle, goats, and game.
Twenty Three Years of Springs Worth Celebrating in 2026
Now in its twenty-third year, the Bedford Country Gardens event has quietly become one of South Africa’s most beloved rural gatherings – and the 2026 edition promises to be the finest yet. Every spring, this historic Eastern Cape village trades its usual stillness for something altogether more colourful, as private gardens fling open their gates and Bedford does what it does best: welcome strangers like old friends.
This year’s event unfolds over two long weekends – 30 October to 1 Nov and 6 to 8 November 2026 – with approximately 16 private gardens open daily from 08:00 to 17:00. Four distinct routes wind through the area, each with its own character: the Town Route, Mountain Route, Cowie Valley Route and Heading West Route. If you’re weaving through heritage rose gardens on a village street or standing in a farm garden with the mountains at your back, each route offers a completely different version of Bedford’s remarkable landscape.
Entry is R30 per garden per person, payable in cash at the garden you’re visiting. For inquiries or tickets, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw directly on 083 874 7816.
Accommodation in Bedford can be booked in advance at www.bedford.co.za or hello@bedford.co.za and given how popular the festival has become, booking early is strongly advised.
The event has always been more than a garden tour, and 2026 is no exception. Highlights include Ernst Pringle’s Butterfly Talks, flower shopping at Floradella Flower Farm, and guided visits to the South African Heritage Rosarium and local Mill. Hope Street invites a leisurely browse through boutique shops, while Bedford’s restaurants and cafรฉs offer the kind of unhurried, flavourful meals that make you forget you had anywhere else to be.
For gardeners and garden club members, the event is a living reference book – planting combinations, heritage varieties, design ideas and the generous knowledge of passionate garden owners around every corner. For photographers, artists, nature lovers and anyone in need of a proper slow-travel escape, Bedford in spring is difficult to improve upon.
Full programme to be released in the beginning of October 2026.
What's happening in Bedford?
Bedford โ The Heartbeat of the Countryside.
Stay in Bedford
Where Comfort Meets Country Charm
Stay a Night, Love it for Life.
Cavers Country Guest House 
Would love to be part of the action?
We are on Instagram
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ง๐๐ฒ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐
๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฏ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐. ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ต ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฏ๐. ๐ก๐ผ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ.
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.
๐๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐.
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.
๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐น.
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.
๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐น๐.
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.
๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐น๐.
A balanced, diluted fertiliser once a month keeps herbs productive. Hungry plants produce weaker growth.
๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐๐.
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.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #basil #gardenherbs
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ง๐๐ฒ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐
๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฏ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐. ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ต ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฏ๐. ๐ก๐ผ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ.
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.
๐๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐.
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.
๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐น.
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.
๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐น๐.
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.
๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐น๐.
A balanced, diluted fertiliser once a month keeps herbs productive. Hungry plants produce weaker growth.
๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐๐.
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.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #basil #gardenherbs
๐ช๐ฎ๐น๐ธ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟโ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ.
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.
๐ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ:
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
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za.
Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐ช๐ฎ๐น๐ธ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟโ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ.
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.
๐ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ:
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
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za.
Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ
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.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za.
Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ
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.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za.
Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ - ๐ช๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ (๐ง๐๐น๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ด๐ต๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฎ)
๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐๐. ๐๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ. ๐ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฒ๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป ๐ท๐๐๐ ๐น๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ณ๐๐น.
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.
๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐ ๐ถ๐:
โช Tolerates hot, dry beds and thrives with moderate watering during dry spells
โช Evergreen and frost-hardy - winter or summer, it is there
โช The leaves and flowers are edible - use them in salads and dishes
โช Acts as a natural insect repellent when crushed on the skin
โช Perfect as an edging plant, groundcover or mass plantingย
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 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #wildgarlic
๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ - ๐ช๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ (๐ง๐๐น๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ด๐ต๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฎ)
๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐๐. ๐๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ. ๐ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฒ๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป ๐ท๐๐๐ ๐น๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ณ๐๐น.
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.
๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐ ๐ถ๐:
โช Tolerates hot, dry beds and thrives with moderate watering during dry spells
โช Evergreen and frost-hardy - winter or summer, it is there
โช The leaves and flowers are edible - use them in salads and dishes
โช Acts as a natural insect repellent when crushed on the skin
โช Perfect as an edging plant, groundcover or mass plantingย
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 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #wildgarlic
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ง๐๐ฒ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ต๐๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ. ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ.
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.
๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ.
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.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐๐ฒ.
A balanced, slow-release fertiliser works beautifully โ 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.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐.
Work fertiliser into the soil around the base of plants, keeping it at least 10cm away from stems. Water in gently. In the Eastern Capeโs 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.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #fertilizer #opengardenssa
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ง๐๐ฒ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ต๐๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ. ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ.
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.
๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ.
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.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐๐ฒ.
A balanced, slow-release fertiliser works beautifully โ 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.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐.
Work fertiliser into the soil around the base of plants, keeping it at least 10cm away from stems. Water in gently. In the Eastern Capeโs 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.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #fertilizer #opengardenssa
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ! ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ถ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ๐.
The wait to see fifteen gardens in full bloomโฆ
The 2026 Bedford Country Gardens opens 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November.
Four distinct routes. Mountains, heritage varieties, colour you cannot find anywhere else.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za.
Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ! ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ถ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ๐.
The wait to see fifteen gardens in full bloomโฆ
The 2026 Bedford Country Gardens opens 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November.
Four distinct routes. Mountains, heritage varieties, colour you cannot find anywhere else.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za.
Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ฏ๐๐ด๐
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ฟ๐. ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ.
A ladybird in your garden is worth more than gold. Ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps are natural predators of aphids. A single ladybird consumes up to 100 insects in one day - aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and other soft-bodied garden pests. No chemicals required. No toxins released. Just nature doing what nature does.ย
The spots on their shell are a warning to predators: do not eat me, I taste terrible. But to gardeners, they are a promise: I am here to work.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ:
Attract these beneficial insects to your garden by providing a diverse range of flowers and foliage plants, as well as access to water. Plant yarrow, clover, buckwheat, sunflowers and common daisies. Leave some wild areas unmulched. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides - they kill the ladybirds along with the pests.ย
Most importantly: let them work. ๐ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ณ๐๐น๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐น๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ฏ๐๐ด๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ. If you see them, you are seeing evidence that something is working right beneath the surface.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #ladybug #opengardenssa
๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ฏ๐๐ด๐
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ฟ๐. ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ.
A ladybird in your garden is worth more than gold. Ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps are natural predators of aphids. A single ladybird consumes up to 100 insects in one day - aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and other soft-bodied garden pests. No chemicals required. No toxins released. Just nature doing what nature does.ย
The spots on their shell are a warning to predators: do not eat me, I taste terrible. But to gardeners, they are a promise: I am here to work.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ:
Attract these beneficial insects to your garden by providing a diverse range of flowers and foliage plants, as well as access to water. Plant yarrow, clover, buckwheat, sunflowers and common daisies. Leave some wild areas unmulched. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides - they kill the ladybirds along with the pests.ย
Most importantly: let them work. ๐ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ณ๐๐น๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐น๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ฏ๐๐ด๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ. If you see them, you are seeing evidence that something is working right beneath the surface.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #ladybug #opengardenssa
๐ ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ช๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Few things announce spring quite as beautifully as a wisteria in full bloom. With its cascading clusters of delicate flowers, it brings romance, colour and a touch of old-world charm to the garden.
Atย ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐, youโll discover beautiful garden moments like these around every corner. Come wander, explore and find your own favourite bloom.
Featured Garden: Mandalay
๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ก๐ง๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the gate.
For event information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #wisteria
๐ ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ช๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Few things announce spring quite as beautifully as a wisteria in full bloom. With its cascading clusters of delicate flowers, it brings romance, colour and a touch of old-world charm to the garden.
Atย ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐, youโll discover beautiful garden moments like these around every corner. Come wander, explore and find your own favourite bloom.
Featured Garden: Mandalay
๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ก๐ง๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the gate.
For event information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #wisteria
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐น๐น ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐!
Thereโs something magical about wandering through a garden in full bloom - and at this yearโsย ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐, youโll have the chance to discover some beautiful garden spaces.
Our featured garden in this image isย ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐๐ผ๐ป, where roses and other garden treasures create the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll. Come see, smell and be inspired by the beauty of Bedfordโs gardens.
๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ก๐ง๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the gate.
For event information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za.
Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐น๐น ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐!
Thereโs something magical about wandering through a garden in full bloom - and at this yearโsย ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐, youโll have the chance to discover some beautiful garden spaces.
Our featured garden in this image isย ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐๐ผ๐ป, where roses and other garden treasures create the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll. Come see, smell and be inspired by the beauty of Bedfordโs gardens.
๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ก๐ง๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden, paid at the gate.
For event information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za.
Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzu #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ถ๐ฝ
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐น ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ.
Ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps are natural predators of aphids. Attract these beneficial insects to your garden by providing a diverse range of flowers and foliage plants, as well as access to water. This is the foundation of natural pest control - not killing the pests, but welcoming the creatures that do.ย
Here are the simple, eco-friendly methods that work in the Eastern Cape.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฑ. The simplest and safest way to control aphids is to spray them off your plants with a strong stream of water. This can be done using a garden hose or a spray bottle with a tight nozzle. Focus on the infested areas, making sure to target the undersides of leaves. Repeat this process every few days until the aphids are gone.ย
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฝ. Mix a few teaspoons of mild liquid dish soap with 1 quart of water to create a homemade insecticidal soap. Spray or wipe this solution onto the leaves, stems and buds of the plant, ensuring thorough coverage, especially on the undersides of leaves. Reapply the solution every 2-3 days for 2 weeks or until the aphids are gone.ย
๐ก๐ฒ๐ฒ๐บ ๐ผ๐ถ๐น. Neem oil is an organic, natural substance that can be used to control aphids. Follow the application instructions on the product packaging and make sure to thoroughly coat the entire plant, focusing on the infested areas.ย
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด. Planting nasturtiums near cucumbers attracts aphids away from main crops and repels cucumber beetles. Chives with carrots deters carrot flies while improving soil health.ย
Stop using chemicals. Start using nature. Your garden - and the creatures in it - will thank you.
For event information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.c
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ถ๐ฝ
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐น ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ.
Ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps are natural predators of aphids. Attract these beneficial insects to your garden by providing a diverse range of flowers and foliage plants, as well as access to water. This is the foundation of natural pest control - not killing the pests, but welcoming the creatures that do.ย
Here are the simple, eco-friendly methods that work in the Eastern Cape.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฑ. The simplest and safest way to control aphids is to spray them off your plants with a strong stream of water. This can be done using a garden hose or a spray bottle with a tight nozzle. Focus on the infested areas, making sure to target the undersides of leaves. Repeat this process every few days until the aphids are gone.ย
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฝ. Mix a few teaspoons of mild liquid dish soap with 1 quart of water to create a homemade insecticidal soap. Spray or wipe this solution onto the leaves, stems and buds of the plant, ensuring thorough coverage, especially on the undersides of leaves. Reapply the solution every 2-3 days for 2 weeks or until the aphids are gone.ย
๐ก๐ฒ๐ฒ๐บ ๐ผ๐ถ๐น. Neem oil is an organic, natural substance that can be used to control aphids. Follow the application instructions on the product packaging and make sure to thoroughly coat the entire plant, focusing on the infested areas.ย
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด. Planting nasturtiums near cucumbers attracts aphids away from main crops and repels cucumber beetles. Chives with carrots deters carrot flies while improving soil health.ย
Stop using chemicals. Start using nature. Your garden - and the creatures in it - will thank you.
For event information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.c
๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป - ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ต๐ผ๐ฒ๐ธ
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ. ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด.
Donkerhoek is waking up. After the cold snap, the garden is responding. The beds are greening. The weeds - yes, there are always weeds - are showing their enthusiasm. Barbara, Mbhuti and Phumla are getting ready.
By October, this Cowie Valley garden will be one of the first stops visitors make. The scones will be out. The jam will be fresh. The vegetable beds will be overflowing. But for now, in late August, there is the quiet work. The preparation. The trust that spring will arrive.
Visit Donkerhoek at the 2026 event โ 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden.
For information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป - ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ต๐ผ๐ฒ๐ธ
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ. ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด.
Donkerhoek is waking up. After the cold snap, the garden is responding. The beds are greening. The weeds - yes, there are always weeds - are showing their enthusiasm. Barbara, Mbhuti and Phumla are getting ready.
By October, this Cowie Valley garden will be one of the first stops visitors make. The scones will be out. The jam will be fresh. The vegetable beds will be overflowing. But for now, in late August, there is the quiet work. The preparation. The trust that spring will arrive.
Visit Donkerhoek at the 2026 event โ 30 October to 1 November, and 6 to 8 November. R30 per garden.
For information, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #opengardenssa
๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด. ๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด. ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป.
After the cold snap, The Orchards comes alive with sound and movement. The river runs clear and full, carving through the landscape, reminding you that life keeps flowing even in the coldest season.
Visit The Orchards at the 2026 event. Bring your ears as well as your eyes.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #river
๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด. ๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด. ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป.
After the cold snap, The Orchards comes alive with sound and movement. The river runs clear and full, carving through the landscape, reminding you that life keeps flowing even in the coldest season.
Visit The Orchards at the 2026 event. Bring your ears as well as your eyes.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, contact Stacey Leigh Shaw on 083 874 7816 orย hello@bedford.co.za. Visitย www.bedford.co.za.
Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa
#bedfordcountrygardens #isuzusa #bedford #bedfordeasterncape #river