Random Harvest Newsletter Archive

Dear Indigenous enthusiast,

I can’t believe it is time to say Merry Christmas.

What happened to 2024 I am not sure, but it just flew by – I guess time flies when you are having fun.

I was so excited about receiving some rain and just loved watching the droplets of water on the plants which had seemed to be gasping for water no matter how many times they were watered. There is no replacement for rain. 

At least Jeff and I are not avoiding the grassland, which was a dust bowl, anymore but enjoying the exuberant new growth after the rain we had.  Thank goodness!

IN THE NURSERY

We had drilled a borehole some time ago and it was never properly tested, so even though we have more than enough water, I decided to test it as it is one of those things that niggle at you.  Sadly, there was not enough water to warrant installing a pump.  I am just grateful for the other strong boreholes that we do have.

To try and save electricity we are installing a new high tank at the top of the farm to create enough pressure to run most of the irrigation systems without a pump.  This will save us pumping into and then out of the dam.  Since monitoring the electricity usage with solar system, it has shocked me to see just how much electricity the pumps use.

The amount of litter along our road was growing to alarming proportions, which kick-started us into doing something about it.  My ever loyal and helpful staff cleared the whole road of litter in a few days.

Unfortunately, some people think it is a licence to litter even more.  I can see that this is going to be an ongoing monthly job to do.  But I am much happier when it is clean and not polluting the environment.

We sorted the rubbish and sent as much as we could for recycling.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:      WE ARE CLOSED ON THE 25TH AND 26TH OF DECEMBER
EARLY CLOSING:         WE ARE CLOSING AT 14H00 ON THE 24TH AND 31ST 

FOOD PARCELS 

I have been so excited this month with the kind donations of food and baby formula from my ever-generous clients. 

St Mikes Church donated all the food they collected on World Food Day to our food parcel initiative.  This is going to make a huge difference.

People have been touched by the plight of some of the babies in the informal settlements and have donated baby formula for us to distribute.

A huge thank you to the people who have helped us so generously.

We are hoping you will continue with your generous donations as we would like to distribute 300 parcels in December to help people over the festive season.

We are always happy to receive donations of nonperishable food stuff.  Please put us on your shopping list if it is your intention to come along for a visit and drop your donations off.

Alternately our banking details are:

Random Harvest Nursery, FNB 51441129818 Cheque account: code 25 07 41, Reference: Food Parcels

KIDS EVENT

Bring your children along to go on our pollinator trail which emphasizes the importance of insects in our lives. 

They will learn how to build an insect house in a pot, thereby creating habitat, as well as learning how to preserve these fascinating creatures. They then take their insects hotel home where they can continuously observe the life cycles.   

When they are finished with the trail and their task there will be a few sweets as Christmas treats for them to collect at reception.  There is no cost for this event.  It will take place for the whole of December and January.

BIRD WALKS

The grassland looks a whole lot better and greener after the rain (thank goodness).  It is a pleasure to walk through and there are some wildflowers blooming and budding.  Flowers bring insect pollinators, which attract many grassland bird species.

It seems as if the Wryneck is breeding here now – exciting!

The migrants will be back, adding to the interesting species you will be able to see.

Date:     14th December with Lance Robinson
Time:     06h30 for 07h00 

Date:     18th January 2025 with Chris Hines 
Time:     06h30 for 07h00

Cost:    R195.00 per person, this includes a delicious breakfast buffet 

Booking is essential - please contact Ronald on [email protected] or Tel. No. 066-587-3077

COFFEE MORNING 

We decided to change the topic for this coffee morning. 

To celebrate Christmas, we thought to have a social morning and mini high tea.  Jonathan, Jeffrey and I will be there to answer questions you may have.

Please remember to bring along some non-perishable food for our food parcels.

Date:  Wednesday 4th December at 10h30 
Topic: Social question and answer morning over a mini high tea

Coffee Morning Cost: R25.00 per person towards our food parcel drive and includes the mini high tea.  

PLEASE BOOK FOR THIS MORNING TO HELP US PLAN THE CATERING.

Booking is essential - please contact Ronald on [email protected] or Tel. No. 066-587-3077

Date:  Wednesday 8TH January at 10h30 (as the first Wed. in January is  New Year’s Day)
Topic: Walk in the grassland with Jeffrey

HOLISTIC WELLNESS RETREATS & WORKSHOPS

Jana’s Self-Discovery Unleashed! 1-Day Retreat on Saturday, 9 November was a great success. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience and embraced the soul-restoring energy of Random Harvest. 

We are thrilled to announce that Jana and her team of expert wellness practitioners are offering corporate lifestyle wellness retreats on the farm. The programmes are designed to unlock employees’ productivity potential while improving work-life integration, managing stress more effectively, and making healthier lifestyle choices. 

Jana will also be running daily ‘Retreat Into Nature’ Mini Wellness Experiences from 15 December 2024 to 10 January 2025 (9.30 am to 11 am). Click LINK for a detailed programme. 

Contact Jana directly at [email protected] or WhatsApp at 076 329 8692 to find out more about the corporate wellness retreats or the Retreat Into Nature experiences. Alternatively, click on www.journeytreehealing.com for more information.

PRACTICAL GARDENER TRAINING 

A heartfelt thank you from Lindsay Gray to all our customers who sent their gardeners to her Gardener's Course this year! Your commitment to empowering them not only makes a meaningful difference in their skills but also ensures you see even better results in your gardens. She is thrilled to continue this journey with you and will resume training in February, and we look forward to welcoming more gardeners eager to learn and grow!

WhatsApp Lindsay on 0824499237 or email [email protected] to book your gardeners’ place.

Celebrating 30 years of inspiring gardeners worldwide!

TEA GARDEN

Our tea garden is the perfect spot to gather with family and friends this holiday season! Whether you're planning a cosy breakfast, a delightful lunch, or a special high tea, we’ve got you covered with a variety of options, including finger foods, set lunch menus, and indulgent high teas. Create cherished memories in a serene and beautiful setting!

We recently had the pleasure of hosting the ladies from the Country Garden Club for their year-end party. They enjoyed a wonderful time in our tea garden, with delicious High Tea they couldn’t stop raving about! 

Jeffrey captivated the group with an engaging talk about indigenous plants. If any other garden clubs would like to visit us for a similar experience, or if you’d like us to come to your location for a talk, feel free to get in touch—we’d be delighted to arrange it!

COTTAGES

Our country cottages are the ideal destination for social club getaways, offering a serene escape where you can relax, connect, and make lasting memories. 2 weeks back, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of ladies from Limpopo who came together as part of their unique savings initiative. Every four months, they pool their savings for a well-deserved weekend getaway, and this time, they chose our farm as their destination. 

 
Their visit was filled with exploring the farm, enjoying refreshing drinks in the garden, and capping off their evenings with a magical braai under the stars. It was a joy to see them unwind and savour the peaceful ambiance of our cottages. If your social club is looking for the perfect venue for a getaway like theirs, we’d be thrilled to host you!

RETAIL

This year, we decided to take a different approach with our ‘Christmas Tree for the Birds’ and chose to create a pollinator friendly garden around the Tree.   This is also in keeping with the Children’s event where we teach them to create insect hotels in the garden.

We planted a variety of flowers and plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators. Pollinator gardens are crucial for supporting biodiversity, as they help sustain the insects and animals that are vital for pollination, which in turn supports healthy ecosystems and food production. Already, the birds are enjoying their new tree, and the garden is buzzing with life—turning our holiday tradition into a celebration of nature's beauty and importance.

This holiday season, consider using an indigenous South African tree as your Christmas tree, so that when you plant it out it makes a difference to the wildlife in the area around your gardens. For example, an Olea europaea subsp. africana (Wild Olive) makes a beautiful, evergreen choice that can thrive in your garden long after the festivities. A Syzygium cordatum (Waterberry) is another great option, offering glossy leaves and edible fruit while supporting local wildlife. 

You could also choose a Podocarpus latifolius (Real Yellowwood) or a Schotia afra (Karoo Boer-bean), both of which can be replanted and contribute to the conservation of South Africa’s unique ecosystems. If you have a small garden continue growing the above trees, except the Schotia afra which is a small tree, in containers or donate them to a school or park as they are unsuitable for small gardens.  Small, thoughtful choices like these can make a big impact on nature.

SHOP

During these dry times it is imperative that we try and save at least some of the hundreds of thousands of bees that drown in swimming pools.

Float a Bee Island to help them along. R285.00

In return the bees pollinate our plants and provide delicious, healthy Raw honey.

Raw Honey R120.00

Heather and I have written a booklet on Biodiversity gardening to help create a haven for Wildlife R175.00

Remember our homemade jams to enjoy over the Christmas season
Mulberry, apricot, plum, marmelade  R90.00 all made from produce on the farm.

Frans has perfected his recipe for shortbread biscuits R35.00 -  A delicious Christmas treat.

PLANTS LOOKING GOOD

Schizocarpus [Scilla] nervosa - White Scilla 
Very hardy, deciduous, drought resistant, clump-forming bulbous plant with attractive, stiff, dark veined, leathery leaves which are sometimes twisted and appear at the same time as the flowers.  It has lovely white or creamy-yellow spikes of flowers from Sept. to Feb.  This plant grows naturally in grassland areas and is dormant in winter.  Plant in full sun or semi shade.  It is also an important medicinal plant.  Plant in a grassland garden, rockery or create a beautiful container planting with this bulb.  Plant in sun or semi-shade in well-drained compost rich soil. Size 30 to 40cm

Philenoptera violacea - Apple-leaf 
This hardy, semi-deciduous, small to medium sized, upright, tree has beautiful pale, lavender-grey, flaking bark.  The large, trifoliate leaves are brittle, with a bright-green upper surface and a duller grey-green under surface. The tree drops its old leaves in spring, replacing them with a new flush of leaves.  In Oct. and Nov. beautiful, large sprays of delicate, sweetly scented, lilac, pea-like flowers are borne in abundance.  The nectar attracts many birds and insects to the early spring bounty offered by this tree.  Because of the copious nectar, many different creatures eat the nutritious, fallen petals.  The Apple Leaf is also an excellent fodder tree for game and wildlife.  It has many magical and medicinal uses and is called the rain tree as well.  What I love about this tree is that it is said that, if you keep a piece of root in your pocket, you are guaranteed to always have friends.  Beautiful, drought-hardy garden tree whether planted in groves or as a single specimen.  Plant in well-drained soil and mulch well. Size: 5 to 10m     S.A. No. 138

Resnova megaphylla
Hardy, evergreen bulbous plant that has a pair of decorative, broad, waxy-looking leaves at ground level. Large, clear inky black and underlying dark slate markings on mostly silvery green coloured leaves are a stunning feature of this small plant. The violet stemmed flower spike bears small, violet, bell-shaped flowers on and off a few times a year.  The plant is mainly desirable for its unique leaves, but the flowers are an additional bonus. Beautiful, ornamental containers can be created with this plant.  It will seed itself in the container and fill it with these beautiful leaves. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade.  Size up to 20cm

Haworthia species
These hardy tiny, shade loving succulents have attractively coloured and textured leaves.  They form large clumps of plants given a little time.  The flowers are delicate spikes of palest pink.  Plant in amongst rocks under trees or create beautiful containers with them.  Many of them are endangered as they are extensively collected by unscrupulous plant collectors and have many medicinal uses and are heavily collected for muthi,  Plant in semi-shade or shade in a rockery or create beautiful containers with their textured leaves and compact growing habit.  Size 6 to 10cm

Sarcocaulon vanderietiae - Bushman's candle (E), 
Hardy, deciduous spiny, succulent shrublet that occurs only in the Eastern Cape.  It forms spiny mats just above soil level with short thick stems that have a shiny, olive green to grey waxy bark.  This sprawling tough looking plant bears unbelievably delicate large poppy-like, papery, white flowers which are borne on and off all year round except winter Plant in a rockery or create beautiful containers with this plant.   The name Bushman’s candle comes from the fact that the wax on the stems is flammable. For best results plant in well-drained soil in strong direct sunlight although, as they grow in thicket areas, they can tolerate some shade.  Water sparingly while they are actively growing and keep dry when dormant.  Size 30 to 40  

Oxyanthus pyriformis – Hatpins Loquat 
Fairly hardy rare, evergreen truly handsome, shrub or small tree with horizontal branching patterns.  It has beautiful, large, glossy bright green leaves that are slightly quilted.  The unusual flowers are held upright like a cluster of slender candles at the tips of the branches from Sept. to Feb.  They are pure white and scented and attract moths which pollinate them. These are followed by soft, large yellow fruits.  Use as an understorey under trees or in any shady area.  This shrub can grow in deep shade but does require well-composted soil and must be well watered.  Size: 3 to 6m      

PLANTS ON SPECIAL – LESS 15%

Harpochloa falx - Caterpillar Grass
is a hardy, perennial, evergreen, densely tufted grass.  From September to April the inflorescence stalks bear flattened spikelets that carry two rows of densely packed flowers that curl as they dry out and form seeds. In the garden it is a beautiful addition to a short grassland or meadow garden that gets sufficient water. Provides a soft contrast to bold plants such as Aloes, Crinums, Blue Squill, Gladiolus sp. and Red-Hot Pokers. The young grass is palatable to grazers. The inflorescences are sometimes used as a cut flower.  Plant in full sun.  Size: Up to 75cm

Psydrax obovata - Quar 
Hardy, evergreen, medium sized, fairly fast-growing tree with angular branching patterns and almost white bark which becomes fissured with age.  It bears dense clusters of small, white, tubular flowers from Nov. to Jan. which are sweetly scented and attract insects to the garden.  These are followed by bunches of black, edible fruit that attract fruit eating birds.  Although this tree can grow up to 12m with a fluted stem in forest conditions - in dry, cold places it is only a shrub.  If allowed to branch from the bottom, it makes a wonderful dense screen.   The beautiful stems make them perfect for planting in groves.  It is an import element of the coastal dune forest, helping to stabilise the dunes.  I will never forget these trees as I saw my first Bar-Throated Apalis hopping around in them, searching for insects.  Plant in full sun or semi-shade in well-drained compost rich soil. Size: 3 to 12m

Volkameria [Clerodendrum] glabrum - Smooth Tinderwood 
Very hardy, semi-deciduous, fast-growing, small tree or large shrub with a dense crown.  It has shiny, dark-green leaves that are pungent when crushed.  From Dec. to Jun., it bears profuse, dense clusters of white to pinkish flowers that have long stamens.  In some specimens the flowers are wonderfully scented whilst in others the scent can be pungent.  These are followed by tightly packed yellowish-white berries that attract birds to the garden.  An important host plant of moths and butterflies – an absolute must for a butterfly garden.  The flowers also attract a whole host of pollinating insects and the nectar in the flowers is an important food source for bees. Plant in sun or semi-shade in well-composted soil. Size: 2 to 6m   

Gazania Hybrids - Gazania (E); Gousblom (A)
Hardy, evergreen, drought resistant, sun loving groundcover with glossy leaves.  This vigorous Gazania produces extremely large flowers on strong stems in spring and summer.  They are free flowering with a long flowering season.  This hybrid mixture of vanilla, clear orange and clear yellow flowers even open under low light conditions.  Ideal for a rockery and for stabilizing soil on banks as well as for mass planting and containers.  Needs well-drained soil and moderate water in a full sun position.  Size: 15 to 30cm

Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’ - Campfire Crassula (E)
 Hardy, evergreen, small, branching succulent that has prostrate and fleshy propeller-shaped leaves.   The foliage is lime-green with red tips.  If you plant it in full sun and limit the water the leaves turn bright red.  The foliage is the best feature of this succulent plant.  Spikes of insignificant white, star-shaped flowers are borne in summer and attract bees, butterflies and other tiny insects.  It makes a particularly pretty hanging basket.  Prune after flowering.  Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. Size: up to 20cm

Ornithogalum ssp. ‘Tiny Peddie’
Hardy, evergreen, bulbous plant with a tuft of glossy, grass-like leaves arising from small bulbs that multiply.  It flowers from Oct. to Mar. with spikes of pure-white, star-like flowers that are almost translucent.  The flowers attract pollinating insects and make a delicate cut flower.  A beautiful plant for rockeries or containers or as a border plant. This pretty plant will happily multiply in your flower beds, but it is small so should be planted in groups. These bulbs require well-drained, compost-rich soil in sun or light semi-shade.  Size: 20 to 25cm

GARDENING TIP

How to Create a Thriving Pollinator Garden

Transform your garden into a vibrant pollinator paradise by making it inviting for bees, butterflies, sunbirds, and other pollinators. A pollinator garden is, no matter how small, an impactful way to protect pollinators, enjoy nature's beauty, and contribute to a healthier planet. Start your pollinator garden today and watch your home transform into a thriving ecosystem!

Getting Started with Your Pollinator Garden

Choose Indigenous Plants: Indigenous plants provide food and shelter that local pollinators recognize and prefer. Choose flowers, shrubs, and trees that are native to your area for the best results.

Create a Succession of Blooms: Pollinators need food throughout the year. Select plants that flower at different times, from early spring to late winter.

Provide Shelter and Nesting Sites: Pollinators need safe places to nest and rest. Leave a section of your garden "untidy" with leaf litter, small piles of twigs, and open ground for ground-nesting bees. Consider adding a small “bee hotel” with holes of different sizes for solitary bees to nest. If it can be maintained, a beehive is a wonderful addition to a pollinator garden.

Avoid Pesticides: Many pesticides harm pollinators. Instead, use natural pest management methods, such as companion planting and introducing beneficial insects. If needed, apply organic, pollinator-safe treatments in the evening when most pollinators are less active. 

Design Tips for a Beautiful Pollinator Garden

•    Create Clusters of Colour: Pollinators are drawn to large patches of flowers. Group plants in clusters to attract more attention.
•    Use a Variety of Shapes and Sizes: Different pollinators prefer different flower shapes. For example, butterflies like flat-topped composite flowers, while sunbirds enjoy tubular blooms.
•    Add Water Sources: A shallow birdbath, small dish of water, or a shallow puddle with stones will give pollinators a place to rest and hydrate. Creating a Habitat for Pollinators

By following these steps, you’ll create a garden that not only supports pollinators but also becomes a beautiful and sustainable space for you to enjoy. Together, we can help protect these vital creatures and contribute to a healthier planet!

ON THE FARM

Just before dawn I hear the owls calling softly to each other and their babies.  As the light strengthens the bird calls become louder and I start to hear the happy calls of the Paradise Flycatcher and then the gently fluting calls of the Orange Breasted Bush Shrike, then as time moves on the Tinkerbird starts to call.  If there is any hope of rain the Burchell’s Coucal starts calling.  I definitely live in Paradise and can’t help starting the day in a happy and peaceful place in my heart.

Not only do I live in paradise,  but I have people around me whom I love and who love me  - namely my mother and my staff.

It was my birthday in November, and I had lunch in the garden with the backdrop of a beautiful Ekebergia capensis (Cape ash).  Lunch with my staff is always fun and my staff absolutely know how to make me happy – they bought me 10 trays of baked beans to add to our food parcels.  As does my mother who made a generous donation to the fund.  Anyone who knows me, knows this is a perfect gift that makes me truly happy.  

The Marula trees that we planted are in fruit for the first time – exciting as most people think you cannot grow them here.  Can’t wait to taste the first fruits of this tree.

 
Life gets so busy we sometimes fail to see the beauty surrounding us.  I took a moment to actually see the Cyphostemma currorii (Butter Tree)in flower with the backdrop of an Acacia tortilis (Umbrella thorn) and what a beautiful and serene picture it made.

An iconic tree of the dry areas in South Africa is the Boscia albitrunca (Shepherds Tree).  It is very slow growing and develops a beautiful white trunk.  I planted mine about 20 years ago and imagine Jeff and my excitement when it bore its first seeds this year.  As I have always struggled to get seeds this is a bonus for the nursery.

Jeff planted up a grassland garden under the Marula trees and this year we had our first flowering and seeding Boophane disticha (Century Plant) on the farm.   It is also a very slow growing bulb as its common name suggests.

If we never plant this type of plant as it is slow growing we will never have it.  So, a corner for these slow growing, but interesting and beautiful plants, in your garden eventually rewards you.

After the bits of rain we have had, the grassland is greening up and Jeff and I can go there without being sad.  It is amazing how resilient and drought resistant the grassland is and there are quite a few flowers popping their heads up.

Some grassland plants are quite difficult to grow from seed but, Paul, who propagates our seeds, seems to have cracked how to germinate Hypoxis hemerocallidea (African Potato) seed.  It was very exciting to seem them even blooming in the trays.

The Ehretia rigida (Puzzle Bush) which bloom in early spring and really struggled with the dryness of this year are in full bloom again and we are seeing plants with both seeds and flowers – remarkable.

The Lapwings also seem to be breeding which is late in the season for them.

Imagine Jeff and my excitement when we saw this baby terrapin sunning itself at the dam.  I wish we could see them when they leave their nests.

Talking of babies, we found this tiny baby tortoise in the grassland.  I am not sure if he is a local species, but we put him back with the hopes that he makes the grassland his permanent home.

There are interesting insects around and some of them are so cryptic they are difficult to see.  I think this is a Leaf Footed Bug.

No matter how dry it has been there are still grassland plants that will reward you and the insects with beauty and nectar, like this Erythrina zeyheri (Plough breaker).  Birds attracted to the wonderful indigenous plants in your garden will cheer you up with their wonderful calls if we take time to truly listen.

I wish you all the very best for the holiday season.  If you are going away on holiday take care and come home safely.  If you are staying home we hope to see you in the nursery where you can spend some time and soak up the peace of an indigenous garden.

Sincerely

Linda