South Africa’s first-ever Garden Day

South Africans are united in their common love of gardens.

That’s why the gardeners of Babylonstoren outside Paarl in the Western Cape, have decided to create Garden Day in the hope it will sweep across the country on 9 October.

Patio potters, veggie farmers, dahlia aces, guerilla gardeners, mink and manure dames and green-fingered folk, in general, are all invited to enjoy their private havens for the first-ever Garden Day, that will set a precedent for years to come.

Garden Day is intended to bring everyone together to appreciate one of life’s simple pleasures. One can enjoy this day in a backyard, at a neighbour’s urban farm, or even on a balcony with geraniums overlooking the city. What is important is to appreciate your very own version of a planted paradise and share it with friends and neighbours.

Most of the year, gardeners plant, water, weed and mulch but Garden Day will be the time to reap the rewards of all the labour.

Jane Griffiths, author of Jane’s Delicious Garden said, “Whether we are growing a few herbs on a windowsill or have a large vegetable garden, growing plants, especially edible plants, reconnects us to nature. Gardening teaches us to give nature the respect it deserves.

“My organic vegetable garden is not only my oasis and sanctuary, it provides us with healthy organic vegetables and herbs, every single day. If I have learnt anything from my garden, it’s that by giving nature the respect it deserves, by placing it at the centre of things and by observing and learning from its every move, I have not only become a more successful gardener but a far more contented person.

“For South Africa’s first Garden Day, I encourage everyone to put down their phones, switch off their TVs and go outside into your garden, a friend’s garden or a botanical garden and reconnect with nature.”

For more information and ideas of what to do for Garden Day, visit the dedicated website www.gardenday.co.za, which also provides gardening tips and illustrates the health benefits of gardening.

You can even download the app, Gardening with Bablyonstoren for free on your mobile phone, for information at your fingertips. Share your Garden Day experience on social media with #GardenDaySA and #GrowShareConnect, as well as follow the various Garden Day pages on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.