Learning about indigenous gardens in Westville
The Westville Conservancy members opened up one of their gardens to the community to enjoy walking through and also taught them about the importance of gardening in an indigenous way.
MEMBERS of Westville Conservancy and the community enjoyed the views of an indigenous garden at the Open Gardens recently. The Indigenous Open Garden was also an opportunity for the community to learn how gardens are maintained and how they can practise the ideas with their own gardens.
Ribston Place Indigenous Garden
The owner of the garden shares how they tend the space: “This is a natural, indigenous garden where we are working on fixing the soil by mulching it with dried leaves and sticks to create a soil sponge, so the rainwater is absorbed and doesn’t wash the rich soil away. Earthworms move through the soft soil, creating tunnels and air spaces for rain absorption.
Also read:Â Enjoy nature and more at Kloof Conservancy Indigenous Open Gardens
“We also make compost with layers of sticks, green leaves and lawn clippings, brown leaves and manure, adding water during winter months to keep the compost moist. This adds microbial health to the soil, and rich soil also stores carbon and slows down global warming.
“We focus on planting indigenous plants to host butterflies, bees and birds. Of course, butterflies must first be caterpillars, so we try not to use insecticides as we love feeding our caterpillars! These are fine food for birds, as well.
“We also try not to rake or sweep too much as the resultant mulch holds moisture, helps prevent weeds and enriches the soil. We ‘leave the leaves’ and never put leaves or garden waste into blue bags!
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