SPECIAL PLANTS MATTER

Home & gardening With Talent Gore

AS we all know, trends come and go.

Like your winter annuals, one minute they are in and looking gorgeous and the next minute they are out and being replaced by the summer annuals.

Things are shifting with gardening trends.

Before, it was mainly focused on what colours were in, the shape of your rose garden was a must.

Yes, they do still exist, but there is also a big movement towards, excuse the cliché, ‘saving the planet’ and ‘ourselves’.

Worldwide, people and governments are starting to focus on a more sustainable lifestyle, just to clarify, it is not about becoming a hippie, but it is about protecting and undoing the damage done to our environment.

So, in gardening terms, it is about how you make your garden a sustainable eco-system to better the environment as a whole.

The new catch phrase is eco-gardeners!

So, what environmental problems do we see daily in Zimbabwe, and how can we turn these around in the garden to become gardening trends?

The solutions are not rocket science; it is just a matter of doing them.

Here are a few of our main problems and solutions.

Unfortunately, we are witnessing more wildlife losing its natural habitat from trees being chopped down or areas being replaced by expanding development.

The simple answer is to grow more indigenous plants to attract the birds, insects, butterflies and bees.

Unfortunately, we have a large number of exotic trees and bushes grown in towns, but these need to be replaced with indigenous ones, and a variety of indigenous trees – not just the fever tree.

Indigenous trees and bushes fare better in our environment and they also provide food and shelter for our wildlife.

Just on that note, can you imagine a garden without butterflies?

Unfortunately, they are being pushed out of their natural habitat too.

Another problem is the use of pesticides in gardening.

It is amazing how nature survives without chemicals. Yet we continuously spray harmful chemicals around us.

And, how many of you actually know what chemicals have been used to spray the veggies you buy from the supermarket?

There is a large movement towards organic gardening worldwide, as the harm we do spraying our gardens with toxins, not only affects our wildlife, but also ourselves.

Invasive species are taking over our land and, unfortunately, this is becoming a bigger problem in Zimbabwe, without much action being taken.

The Matobo society is tackling it by itself on the other side of the country.

But the toxic Lantana camara is on the rampage again, threatening our local flora and fauna.

Gum trees are spreading from unmanaged plots and drying out wetlands and our cypress are becoming an expense as their shallow roots are not strong enough during our storms.

Please think carefully about what you plant.

Invasives can spread beyond your garden and destroy the local environment.

First of all, make a place in the garden to have time out. Most of us have ample space in gardens, but so many of us sit on our veranda or head straight to the sofa to switch on the DStv.

Plants, flowers and green spaces can have a positive impact on our lives, in terms of health, well-being and happiness.

It is important to create your sanctuary in the garden.

Whether it may be a tea garden, a braai area or even a hammock.

Start making your garden the oasis which you can escape to.

If you are not a gardener yourself, Zimbabwe has plenty of talented landscapers you can consult or landscape your garden, even if it is just 25 square metres.

Secondly, remove stress from the garden.

One way of removing stress from our lives is through minimalism.

I bet most of you have an expired chemical, a broken rake, a few unused seedling trays or a pile of old bricks or tiles in your garden?

It is amazing what Zimbabweans like to treasure.

The ‘minimalism’ craze, which is the art of only living with what you need and removing clutter or excess, is taking the world by storm.

It is time we jumped on the bandwagon and de-cluttered our gardens. – gardening.com.

NB: For feedback and suggestions, contact me on [email protected] or WhatsApp 0777230124.

RECIPE OF THE DAY

Mutsine (Blackjack leaves)

GROWING up, my mum made tsine (blackjack leaves) for us.

Being kids, we used to despise it despite her telling us how healthy it is.

I guess the fact that we would see her picking it from the garden or around the yard, our minds already registered that they were “masora” (weeds), so they couldn’t possibly be food!

Fast forward to when I am now older and I tried the dried version and loved it, surprisingly so did my kids!

I went ahead and did the fresh version and everyone loved it too!

Blackjack leaves are very high in fibre, which among many other things, help with the management of diabetes, maintaining a healthy heart (avoiding cardiovascular diseases) and maintaining a healthy digestive system.

l So go on right ahead and try this recipe out.

1 bunch tsine (blackjack leaves), chopped

1 large tomato, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

250 ml boiling water

1/2 tsp salt

3 tbsp oil

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