Saving water has always been a challenge for local garden enthusiasts.
As South Africa faces one of its driest seasons in 20 years, Paul Vonk, who heads up MayFord Seeds for sub-Saharan Africa, said conserving water in the garden can be easier than one ever thought possible.
“It’s common knowledge that endemic vegetation, as opposed to indigenous plants are the first line of defence when it comes to having a beautiful garden that uses as little water as possible. If you grow your own fruits and vegetables you have to be a little savvier.”
Vonk shares his top water saving tips:
- Plant in pots
Plastic pots offer the best water conservation and good drainage because the material does not overheat and is not porous.
- Love your mulch
Mulch and coconut husks are great ways to lock moisture into your garden and keep the base of your plants cool.
Ambassador for MayFord and lifestyle chef, Izelle Hoffman said, “If you are ready to take the plunge into growing your own produce, here is a refreshing treat to reward yourself with after a long, hot day exercising your green thumbs.”
Minty fresh sweet melon popsicles:
Ingredients:
- 2 x sweet melons blended in a food processor
- 10ml of honey
- 1 packet of strawberries sliced into rounds
- Fresh mint for garnish
- Popsicle mould
Step-by-step:
- Blend the sweet melon and honey in a food processor until smooth and set aside.
- Add the sliced strawberry rounds to the sides of your moulds to create a delicious and colourful lining. This helps the popsicles retain their shape.
- Pour the puree into the moulds.
- Add the popsicle sticks and freeze until solid.
