With their nails caked with soil and hair adorned with sprinklings of spring petals, seven green-thumbed Boksburgers have been tilling their gardens in preparation of the fifth annual Boksburg Open Gardens 2026 — A Garden Affair.

Grab your wide-brimmed hats, slip into sensible shoes on October 11 and step into fantastical suburban garden oasis where members of the Boksburg Garden Club will take you on a greening journey.

“Gardening, oneness with nature and painting beds in magnificent blooming colours is something I inherited from my late father,” said Surieta Esterhuizen, of Parkrand’s La Vie en Rose.

“It is here where I feel closest to him and it is a legacy I wish to pass down to my grandchildren.”

Sipping on a glass of crisp infused water, Surieta’s eyes flutter across some of the 100 rose varieties which are already casting a gentle fragrance throughout her romantic garden.

“Through the garden tour, which spans from Sunward Park to Libradene, we will showcase a variety of owner curated gardens exploring the endless possibilities from container, small and indigenous gardens,” said fellow organiser, club member and avid gardener, Yolanda Swanepoel.

“Gardening is about more than having a beautiful haven outside your bedroom window. It is therapeutic and deeply rewarding to witness how each plant flourishes and blossoms into a pallet of hues which could inspire odes and masterpieces.

“It is an art form which feeds the soul while drawing your eye to the magnificence of nature.”

Garden gates to this highly anticipated event will swing open at 09:00 with visitors welcomed until 16:00.

The greening gurus will be on hand to offer sage gardening advice from sustainable grey water harvesting to implementing organic gardening products as well invaluable expertise about establishing garden-to-table vegetable patches.

“We want to wow, educate and inspire our visitors, while making a difference in the lives of others,” said Surieta.

With tickets selling at R100 per person, proceeds of the event will be used to purchase new wheelchairs for the Suid-Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie’s (SAVF), Kowa Pienaar old age home, in Elspark.

Visitors can further look forward to buying gardener-approved seedlings, plants and products as well as boerewors rolls and refreshments.

At La Vie en Rose, visitors can take time out of the busy tour schedule to enjoy delectable baked goods, on offer at the tea garden.

Tickets will be available at Quicket from September 1 or at the gate on the day.

Featured gardens include:

• Marisa and Bernard McDonald’s Greenhouse (15 Pontac Road, Sunward Park).
• Yolanda Swanepoel’s A timeless cottage garden (18 Explorer Way, Sunward Park).
• Marinda Hawthorn’s Multi-dimensional layer and levels (3 Taurus Street, Sunward Park).

• Edward Wilson’s Botanical Paradise (55 Nicholson Road, Sunward Park).

• Colin Leshou’s Buttler’s Room to Bloom (7 Butler Street, Parkrand).

• Surieta Esterhuizen’s La Vie en Rose (7 Malherbe Street, Parkrand).
• Carin Mathee’s The Little Pocket English Garden (105 Tuscan Estate, 15 Van Heerden Street, Libradene Village).

Tour etiquette:

• Although gardens may seem like a doggie’s playground no animals will be allowed to sniff the flowers. Rather leave your furry companion at home.
• Wear flat and comfortable shoes.
• Do not harvest or gather plant cuttings from participating gardens.
• Cash and card payments are welcome.
• Parking available in the streets around the show gardens, please do not park on neighbouring driveways or grass.

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