A decade of Garden Day will be celebrated on Sunday 12 October and Jamestowner and Garden Day Ambassador chef Bertus Basson is inviting everyone to celebrate their green spaces on the day.
Bertus’ love of plants and gardens is deeply personal. “My wife’s favourite flower is a peony,” he says. “I actually have three peony tattoos on my left arm, each symbolising a family member: one for my wife, my son and my daughter.”
Today, Bertus nurtures a diverse garden at home. “Our garden is a bit of a smarty box at the moment – a little all over the show,” he laughs. While he has purposefully planted some Fynbos, the back of the garden is dedicated to vegetables and fruit trees. “One of the biggest changes we’ve made recently is switching to raised beds and old fruit bins. It keeps the plants happier, the pig out of the vegetable garden, and we can better control our yields.”
Bertus also has his own clever gardening hacks. “In the restaurant, we make a lot of fire for cooking. The old charcoal and ash get worked back into the garden beds over time. And the hay from our chickens ends up as a rich mulch. It’s all about closing the loop,” he explains. Given his day job, Bertus’ gardening style comes as no surprise: “I’m definitely more of a veggie grower. If you plant something, it should serve a purpose – either for beauty or to eat. For me, it’s always about eating!”
“On Garden Day I’ll be celebrating the joy of growing, cooking and sharing with friends. There is something special about connecting with nature while preparing food that nourishes both body and soul.”
Garden Day has grown from a simple idea into a national celebration of green spaces, be it a sprawling lawn or a single potted plant on a windowsill. Your Garden Day celebration can be anything you dream up. Organise garden games like croquet, sack races, and a flower-crown toss. Visit www.gardenday.co.za for your free Garden Day resources. Share your Garden Day festivities on social media using #GardenDaySA.
