Water the flower beds, trim the hedges, prune the plants and start prepping the party menu.
Garden Day 2022 takes place on Sunday 9 October, and Hawston resident Melun Jephta, nature lover, and organic vegetable gardener, encourages all South Africans to join in celebrating and showing off their gorgeous green spaces.
The 35-year-old grew up in the small fishing village of Hawston, where she learnt to love and care for her environment from a young age. “My dad was a gardener, and in winter we used to fetch pumpkins from the roof, where they were stored because pumpkins are a summer crop,” she remembered.
Jephta says she was always under her dad’s feet, watching intently how he prepared the soil and made compost from all their organic waste. That’s why food security is a seed that was literally planted early, she says.
“My dad always encouraged us to eat vegetables, and that is why I still love veges. He planted things such as mealies, pumpkins, gem squashes and so on, and I wanted to share this experience of mine with others and encourage them to also grow their own vegetables.”
Jephta completed a degree in Environmental Management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Her mission is to protect the environment for future generations. She has started the Franklin Ohana Garden in Hawston.
“By establishing an organic garden, we could support long-term food security, motivate people to live a healthier life and to plant their own gardens.” she states.
Get celebration-ready
“As the official symbol of Garden Day, wearing a flower crown is a definite,” says Jephta. “Make your own and once your flower crown is good to go, pay tribute to your garden by hosting a celebration with family and friends. A basket and blanket picnic on your lawn, relaxed braai, swanky sundowners or canapés and crepes … whatever works for you. All we ask is that you show off your flower crown and share your celebration with us by tagging #GardenDaySA on social media or via our WhatsApp line 066 389 5182.”
Another way to plant a seed within your community is to join the newfound Garden Day Society, which encourages those blessed with green fingers and a passion for their neighbourhood to help spread the Garden Day spirit by organising a celebration and getting as many guests as possible to join in the festivities.
A host of local garden centres, nurseries, botanical gardens, plant shops, florists, markets, restaurants and cafes have all pledged their support to Garden Day 2022 by running special activations ranging from displays to competitions. Visit https://gardenday.co.za to find out whether your favourite outlet/hangout is involved.
Follow @GardenDaySA & #GardenDaySA and share your nature-filled miracle and its goodness by tagging GardenDaySA in your posts.