PRINCE ALBERT OPEN GARDENS
As the warmth of spring is
slowly thawing winter’s grip, Prince Albert Open Gardens fever is growing.
Once again our town’s most
beautiful gardens will throw open their gates to welcome visitors and locals
alike, allowing them to delight in the plant pleasures that normally hide
behind fences and walls.
This year sees 8 unique gardens
on display, all of them showcasing sustainable spaces that are indigenous,
water-wise, and wildlife friendly.
It will be a jam-packed weekend,
filled with all things natural, organic, green, and inspiring. Besides the
gardens, a host of talks, walks, and workshops will be sure to enlighten and
enthrall.
We are honoured
to welcome Liana Jansen to deliver our keynote talk, Indigenous Healing Plants. For the last ten years, Liana Jansen has become
acquainted with the Fynbos, Renosterveld, and succulent Karoo medicinal species
that grow on her farm in Montagu and the surrounding area. She is a
professional Landscape Architect, and 25 years of academic research in reading
and conserving cultural landscapes helped her understand the role of Sensory
Education in identifying potential healing species and our Indigenous cultures'
role in their stewardship. This talk will highlight some of the lessons
she learnt from spending time with the #Khomani-San, AmaMpondo and the local
Montagu community, and formulating natural skincare products with indigenous
plants for Fijn Botanicals.
There are a few favourites back
from last year’s inaugural event. Our very own biodiversity expert, Professor
Sue Dean will be guiding walks at Wolwekraal Nature Reserve, as well as the
Swartberg Pass Wild Walk. The first covers the geology, botany, natural and
cultural history of the southern Karoo desert. The latter guides you through
the spectacular folded quartzites and natural hanging gardens where fragrant
Pelargoniums, mint, and honeybells grow close to the water's edge where Cape
willows emerge among the boulders, and change is witnessed at every turn.
When not out walking, Sue Dean
will be your host at Renu-Karoo Nursery, Prince Albert’s centre of plant
expertise and purchasing advice.
Oasis Farm’s foodscaper, Sue
Torrance, will once again present organic vegetable growing workshops covering
the amazing seed, natural pest control and the importance of companion
planting.
New on this
year’s calendar will be Bertus Fourie’s Bringing the Veld Back to the Garden.
The workshop will take place on a small restoration plot discussing veld
restoration for arid areas, the importance of local indigenous plants, veld
types, wild seed collection, and why the ideals of restoration and conservation
should become more relevant to the gardening community and landscape industry.
We are also
thrilled to have Lydia and Sigri Barellas Mineral Collection viewing on our
programme, as well as a guided Gordon Koppie Trail Walk. Another Prince Albert
local sharing his talent is Michael Trealor of Karoo Lapidary Artisanal Rock
Birdbaths.
The Prince
Albert Skills School will be running an activation at the Parkie they so
lovingly tend, with a Garden in a Shoebox competition being a fun highlight.
Be sure to join us 28 and 29
September, tickets will be available via Quicket from 1 September, at the Markie 7, 14,
and 21 September, or at Renu-Karoo Nursery 28 and 29 September. Follow us on
socials@princealbertopengardens, or contact Julie on 060 927 9486 for more
information.
ARTICLE SUPPLIED BY OPEN GARDENS
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