By Valerie Payn
(This is an extract from the e-book An Ecological Gardeners Handbook)
This garden at Goegap Nature Reserve. Namaqualand, blends perfectly into its arid surroundings.
Earth has a wonderfully diverse array of landscapes, climates, natural environments and culture. These all contribute in various ways to our rich cultural and ecological heritage. If our gardens are to play a conservation role, we can’t adopt ‘one size fits all’ solutions to gardening. We have to plan and manage our gardens to suit local climate and soil conditions, local topography, and take into account the needs of local wildlife and local people.
Gardens that suit local conditions can survive and thrive with very little attention. They follow the natural rhythms and patterns of local nature, and mimic the way local eco-systems work. Often, they mirror the look and growth patterns of local wild plant communities. A garden in a dry, semi-desert, for instance, will function and look different to a garden in a cold, moist temperate region.
Gardens that are well-fitted to their environment also reflect local culture, helping conserve local foods, history, art, customs and architecture. Because they are designed with local culture and local Nature in mind, these gardens develop a strong local character, taking on the unique characteristics of local landscapes.
To create a locally well adapted garden, follow these tips:-
This story follows on from Sacred Garden, which we posted in our last newsletter.
An Ecological Gardeners Handbook by Valerie Payn explains how gardeners can use natural processes to create gardens with healthy, vibrant, productive eco-systems. Each chapter focuses on one aspect of creating a vibrant garden eco-system, and provides gardeners with a range of simple, practical steps to follow.
Some of the topics covered by An Ecological Gardeners Handbook include:
An Ecological Gardeners Handbook is available worldwide from most major ebook distributors.
SAFCEI (Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute) is a multi-faith organisation committed to supporting faith leaders and their communities in Southern Africa to increase awareness, understanding and action on eco-justice, sustainable living and climate change.
South Africa: Who Ends Up Paying If DMRE Cooks the Price of Nuclear Power?
South Africa’s nuclear energy expansion plans continue to draw criticism, environmental NGOs chew over legal challenge
Earthlife Africa and SAFCEI respond to latest unsettling nuclear news regarding the ministerial determination
Open Wing Alliance Africa (Virtual) Summit 2023
The Green Connection and SAFCEI respond to energy minister's divisive and deflecting comments
Job Vacancy: FLEAT Coordinator