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 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗹𝘁

𝗔 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁.

Fairholt began with a quiet question - what can grow well here without asking too much? Since 2019, Lucy and Oggie have been answering it. The garden’s formal area sits on the footprint of an abandoned tennis court, slowly transformed through trial, error and patience into a 𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 that suits the climate rather than fighting it.

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 - a hardy local fodder plant with deep roots in this landscape - frame the design and offer shelter to the indigenous planting inside. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗰, 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀, 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗲𝘀, 𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, with roses tucked in for seasonal charm. Delicate 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 run along the front of the house. The herb and vegetable beds have evolved into a working nursery, and 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲.

𝗔 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 keeps everything ticking over, but the real lesson here is restraint. Fairholt proves that a beautiful garden does not require buckets of water or buckets of time - 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲.

Find Fairholt on the Mountain R ...

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 - 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗻

𝗙𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘆-𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵.

Alison Brown’s garden at Glen Avon has the kind of unhurried elegance that cannot be designed in a single season. It has grown in slowly, 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟬-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗶𝘃𝘆, with sweeping lawns running out to herbaceous borders done in the proper English style. The trees are old. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲. Every plant feels as though it earned its spot.

𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁. Behind her is Obet, whose hands are in the garden almost as often as hers, and Farmer Brown - her husband of 52 years and self-appointed Chief of Lawn Mowing. The team works. The garden shows it.

𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀, Glen Avon offers more than the garden alone. Visitors can tour the historic Mill and settle in for a tasting of 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝗻 - which is exactly as delightful as it sounds.

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀.

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 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿.

𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲 - the ones that drop their leaves in autumn and stand bare through winter - are doing something very important right now. They are sleeping. And contrary to what you might think, this is the 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. With no leaves to support, every nutrient you give them goes straight into root development and the buds that will become next season’s fruit.

In the Eastern Cape, the deciduous fruit trees that benefit most from a good winter feed include:

▪ Apples and pears
▪ Plums, peaches, nectarines and apricots
▪ Quinces
▪ Figs
▪ Persimmons

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:

▪ Wait until the tree has dropped all its leaves. That is your green light.

▪ Apply your compost in a wide ring around the tree, following the drip line. The drip line is roughly where the outermost branches end. That is where the feeder roots live - not at the trunk.

▪ Spread a generous 3 to 5 cm layer of well-rotted compost. Add a handful of bone meal if you have it - it is rich in phosphorus, which feeds root growth.

▪ Top the whole ring with a layer of mulch to lock in moisture and keep the soil temperature steady through frosty nights.

▪ Keep the area right against the trunk clear. Compost piled against bark causes rot.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁. 𝗡𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗻𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘅. Just compost in the right place at the right time. Come October, your trees will reward you with blossom worth photographing - the kind that fills Bedford’s gardens every spring.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁

𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Belmont has been growing into itself for over fifty years, and you can feel every one of them the moment you arrive. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱-𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 - the kind that only comes from decades of decisions made one season at a time. Roses, established shrubs and gentle drifts of colour weave together across the beds, edged with river stones and the occasional unexpected find from elsewhere on the farm.

The setting does much of the heavy lifting. 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁, and the drive in through the surrounding countryside is part of the pleasure. Mature trees offer generous shade. The lawn is the kind you end up sitting on for longer than you planned.

What makes Belmont quietly remarkable is that 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆. Hot water comes courtesy of a donkey boiler. Solar and wind handle the rest, and a Lister engine fills in the gaps. The garden is part of a larger story - one of self-sufficiency, attention, and a real attachment to place.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 - 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 or hello@bedford.co.za. Visit www.bedford.co.za.

Social Media Sponsored by @isuzusa

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

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 - 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗸

𝗙𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗹𝗮’𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀.

Barbara and Mike Church returned to the Cowie Valley fifteen years ago and have been opening 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗸’𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 to visitors for fourteen of them. That kind of consistency is rare, and it shows. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 of a place that has been loved for a long time - beds that self-seed in unexpected places, surprises tucked into corners, and the steady rhythm of a team that knows exactly what it is doing.

Mbhuti keeps the engine running. He sows, plants, weeds and turns the rich compost that quietly makes everything else possible. Phumla, meanwhile, is the reason a fair number of visitors arrive hungry on purpose. Her scones - served warm with Hogsback berry jam and fresh cream - have a reputation that travels.

Find 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗸 on the Cowie Valley Route this October and November.

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 ...

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁.

Most people think winter is when gardens go to sleep. The truth is far more interesting. Beneath the surface, your soil is having one of its most important moments of the year - and the gardener who shows up with compost in June is the one whose garden quietly outperforms everyone else’s in October.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝘆, 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲.

Compost is essentially decomposed organic matter - kitchen scraps, garden clippings, leaves and manure that have broken down into a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material. When you dig it into your soil or layer it on top, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻:

▪ 𝗦𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀. Sandy soils hold moisture better. Clay soils loosen and drain. Compacted beds soften and breathe.

▪ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀. The bacteria, fungi and earthworms that do the real work of feeding plants come alive in compost-rich soil.

▪ 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲. Cold months are the perfect runway for this - by the time spring growth begins, your soil is ready.

𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀:

▪ Spread a 3 to 5 cm layer of well-rotted compost over your beds. Lightly fork it in, or leave it on top as a slow-release blanket.

▪ Pay extra attention to your roses, fruit trees and perennial beds. They are the long-term performers.

▪ Build or feed your compost heap now. A larger pile retains heat better through winter and keeps the microbes working even on frosty mornings.

You will not see fireworks in June. You will see them in October. Which is, conveniently, when the gates open at Bedford.

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 ...