Random Harvest Newsletter Archive

Dear Indigenous Enthusiast,

I am incredibly busy trying to finish a new booklet ‘Guide to Indigenous Plants’.  What started as a booklet is now 168 pages long.  Talk about overdoing things!   

Because of this, time has run out on me to provide you with my usual Newsletter goodies.

However, I could not miss out on letting you know about a few interesting events on the go so here is a brief newsletter with the details of what’s going on at Random Harvest this month.

I promise a bumper newsletter next month, when I will be able to update you with the news of the farm.

ART EXHIBITION, BY LIZ WARREN Wednesday, 9 August to Saturday, 30 September 2017 Johannesburg-based artist and ceramicist, Liz Warren will exhibit her colourful, upbeat oil and water-colour paintings, depicting the floral richness of our country. She will also exhibit some of her ceramics. You will be able to view and purchase these at Random Harvest from the 9th of August to the 30th of September.

SPECIAL ON ORANGE FLOWERING-SIZE CLIVIAS - R48.50 I have recently sourced some beautiful Clivias. They are magnificent flowering-size plants, in 15L bags. The regular price for this size plant is R98.50, but these are on sale for only R48.50 each, while stocks last. Please see our Plant catalogue (Hyperlink) for a full description and planting instructions.

PROMOTION OF INDIGENOUS TREES

Our annual tree promotion has been going exceptionally well, and we are loving the fact that so many people have chosen to plant our beautiful indigenous trees.

There has been so much interest in the information and selection that we have provided, that the promotion has been extended until the end of August, 2017.

Promotion details:

•   When you purchase a tree (20, 40 and 100 Litre containers only) before 31 August 2017, you will receive a free copy of our useful tree booklet.
•   For every 3 trees (20, 40 and 100 Litre containers only) you purchase, you will receive a free 1kg bag of Rock Dust.

This is an absolutely essential additive to garden soil, especially when planting and growing trees.

There are so many beautiful trees to choose from it can be quite mind boggling.  Never fear! We are here to help you with choosing the right tree for the right application and space. Please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.

COFFEE MORNING – Wed. 2nd August @ 10.30 In keeping with our theme of trees this month I will share a few of my favourite trees and why I love them so much. To show you just a few is going to be a bit difficult as I am ‘Tree Mad’ but I will try and limit my choices to trees that are great in small to medium sized spaces.

NEW SEASON COLOUR IN THE NURSERY It seems as if everything cannot wait to celebrate that spring is imminently close. Plants are bursting into bloom and the Nursery floor space is a riot of colour. As you can see from the pictures, we have some super plants to choose from.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MULCHING IN SPRING

With all the new growth and beautiful colour, it is easy to forget that our soil is still so dry, and at this time, our plants are particularly vulnerable.

A good layer of mulch will retain precious moisture in the soil, and help to regulate temperature fluctuations between still chilly nights and suddenly warmer days.

Energetic pre-spring pruning can leave your garden a bit exposed, and without the leaf litter and shade that was there previously. Mulching at this time will, again, regulate soil moisture and temperature.

We have mulch available from the nursery in very manageable 30dm bags, at R22.50 per bag. 1 bag covers about 1 square meter.

WOMEN’S DAY - Wednesday, 9 August, 2017

We celebrate Women’s Day, by offering something a little less ordinary.  Each lady customer will receive a beautiful little free gift from us, and we have some delicious offers in our tea garden.

Breakfast Buffet - From 08h00 – 10h30 (Please note: we will not be taking orders from the normal menu until 10h30)

This includes egg, bacon, sausages, creamy mushrooms, cut fresh tomato, bread and jam, muesli, fresh fruit with hot or cold milk and tea or coffee. The buffet is served on a first come first served basis.

Cost per person – R125
After 10h30 we will revert to our normal breakfast and lunch menu

High Tea (by booking only) - From 14h00 – 16h00, with delicacies that are sure to delight. As this is always hugely popular, it is advised to book early and avoid disappointment.  Please contact reservations on 082 553 0598 or email us on [email protected]

MIDWEEK “TREES ARE FOR THE BIRDS” OVERNIGHT STAY
When: Wednesday 16th to Thursday 17th August 2017
Cost: R875 per person, all inclusive.

I am always going on about how amazing the nursery is in the evening and the early morning, and now I have a chance to share it with you.

I cannot wait to welcome you to our first ever “sleepover” event. This is going to be a wonderful earth-bound afternoon, evening and morning. You can be back at work, or play before anyone even misses you.  Join us for an afternoon tree walk, supper together over a slide show, a night in our gorgeous cottages and then a Bird Walk followed by a hearty breakfast.

Please share this lovely event with all your friends – Through Facebook or on Twitter via our website. For more details please see our website, or contact us on 082 553 0598 / [email protected].

GARDENING COURSES BY LINDSAY GRAY Domestic Gardeners Training Starting time 8h30 Dates: 11th August and 15th September Introduction to Garden Design & Maintenance Date: Saturday 12 August (08h30 – 16h30)

NEW COURSES

Easy Steps to Designing your Garden: Sat 2, Sept (08h30 – 12h30)  
Easy Steps to Maintaining your Garden: Sat, 2 Sept (13h30 – 16h30)

The courses include notes, breakfast and lunch and attendance certificate.
Bookings: Contact Lindsay for bookings or further information on Mobile: +27 82 44 99 237   Email: [email protected]

Random Harvest Cottages attends the Speed Marketing event at Maropeng On 26th of July our hospitality team attended the Speed Marketing event at Maropeng. Tour operators from all over the country were given an opportunity to hear about businesses in the area.

We were so pleased to be a part of that and to meet with everyone. We look forward to hosting both domestic and international travellers that love this country, its natural heritage and its people as we do.

In researching reviews of our cottages on Trip Advisor, for our presentation at this event, I was struck by the number of Gauteng-based people who love to stay in our cottages. We hope you keep finding a lovely quick getaway here in our little piece of heaven.

Jeffrey was involved in a horrible car accident – he and his nephew are both fine.  Jeff has a cracked bone in his ankle and is in plaster.  

Needless to say I am missing him a lot and look forward to the 7th when he can return to Random Harvest.

I am also loving the days getting longer.  When I come to work at about 6h00 each morning the sky is so beautiful and the quarter moon and the morning star have been so bright.  

They just invite you to look up, something we don’t often do.  Try looking up and have a down-turned mouth.  It is impossible, when you look up you just have to smile.

Have you noticed that the days seem to be lengthening more in the evenings rather than the mornings?  

The trees are beginning to shoot new delicate leaves.  I am excited about the promise of warmer days, rain and abundant growth all around.  

Hope to see you soon

Sincerely

Linda

Cell 079-872-8975
email [email protected]

For directions please go to our website www.randomharvest.co.za : or call 082-553-0598

Hours of business 8:00 to 17:00 Monday to Sundays