Down the garden path with Tanya Visser

THE gardening trend has moved from tame to wild, as depicted at the Chelsea Garden Show in May this year, according to well known and popular garden guru, Tanya Visser who lives in Assagay.

ALSO READ: Kloof Conservancy bounces back

Readers can see for themselves how Tanya’s garden grows at the Kloof Conservancy’s Back-To-Nature Pop-Up Gardens fund-raiser from 22 to 23 June from 10am to 4pm. (See page 2 for details).

“The pop-up gardens raise funds for Kloof Conservancy and all the amazing work they do in conserving the natural habitat in that area. We will have amazing coffee and a gin bar in the garden as well as delicious treats and a pop-up show selling gardening goodies,” said Tanya. Everybirdy is welcome.

Tanya Visser is not only a garden aficionado, but is also absolute character who spews the funniest asides and anecdotes seamlessly in conversation, in her talks and in her television programme, The Gardener on the Home Channel.

Life in the gardener

GET to know a bit more about the inimitable Tanya Visser who said in a recem=nt talk that a great way to cope with depression is to get into the garden: sometimes just to chill and find peace, and other times to get those hands dirty and dig into the soil.

-Where did you go grow up?

Umzinto

-Which high school did you attend?

Scottburgh High School

Any tertiary education?

Yes, studied horticulture at Durban Technicon

-Have you got brothers and sisters?

A brother, Shaun, he is flying all the way from the Cape to join us for the weekend.

-How did you get into your ‘gardening career’

We grew up gardening. My father had the most amazing veggie garden and my mom collected anthuriums. As we lived in a small town, our time was taken up by helping in the garden.

-Did you ever think you would become the gardening guru/personality you have that includes a TV show and magazine?

No, not at all but when opportunities arise, we should grab them with both hands.

-When was your first public speaking event and how did it go?

1992, I was taken to the Crammond Garden Club to do a talk on camelias. This club is one of the oldest clubs in the area and have some of the best gardeners as members. And here me, a little seedling, had to speak to these amazing people with years of experience. Needless to say, my flashcards came in very handy. I was scared to death but they were all very gracious afterwards and told me how much they enjoyed it.

ALSO READ: Help Kloof Conservancy locate poisonous plant

-Was it scary doing the first few TV shows or did you naturally adapt?

Yes off course! You have a camera up your nostril and you have no idea who you are speaking to and whether you are saying the right thing!

-Do you enjoy meeting people and your fans?

Absolutely! Without them I would just be me. I love hearing their stories, we all have the same joy and struggles.

-What does a day in your life look like?

Crazy!

-How often do you travel overseas and what is your favourite country so far?

Not often enough, if I am lucky, once a year. England is right up there, where meadows and spring is such a romantic scene. Even if it just be for three days of their entire summer.

-How do our Durban gardeners compare to other SA cities and overseas cities?

They are amazing!

-Do you have any other hobbies besides gardening?

Yes, I love fishing. And just enjoying nature as a whole. I am also quite the cook in the kitchen.

-Any awards?

Sjoe, that’s a tough one. I have received many awards yes…(go to: www.tanyavisser.com/about-tanya/)

-What challenges have you overcome?

Without adaptation, we would go nowhere, I have had my share of challenges and have learnt many life lessons.

-What’s your favourite food?

I have Mauritian background, so just love authentic foods. Simple with great flavour.

-What’s your favourite movie and book?

Fav book, The Signature of all Things by Elizabeth Gibert. Fav movie must be, Under the Tuscan Sky.

-Gardening trends now?

Indoor plants have made a huge comeback, perennial colour and most certainly growing your own food.

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