A Centurion man’s guide to a self-sustaining garden
“If the plant can survive a year without your help then your garden is truly self-sustaining.”
A horticultural training officer from Centurion provided some tips this week on how to create a garden which is not only ‘water-wise’ but self-sustaining.
Allan Tait (49), who has lived in Raslouw since he was born, has worked at the Tshwane metro as a horticultural training officer for the past 25 years.
His own garden is completely self-sustaining and requires no upkeep.
“I don’t have any irrigation installed,” he said.
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“The plants don’t get any water except for rain.”
The key to this kind of garden, according to Tait, is planting plants which are unique to your region.
He said people don’t often fully understand what it means when you have a ‘water-wise’ garden.
“Creating a truly ‘water-wise’ and self-sustaining garden means planting only those plants which can survive and grow without your help,” said Tait.
“You want plants which depend on rainfall in the time of the year when your area gets rain.”
“Obviously plants which are native to the coastal areas will not thrive in a place like Centurion.”
Tait said his garden contains plants from the Gauteng area as well as parts of Mpumalanga and North West.
“The key is to create a balance in your garden between high and low rainfall plants,” he said.
“But ultimately, if the plant can survive a year without your help then your garden is truly self-sustaining.”
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Tait said gardens like his truly help to preserve the native plants of the Centurion area and also save time and money.
“These days people don’t have the time to take care of their gardens,” he said.
“I know my garden isn’t full of roses but I don’t have to spend a minute worrying about it.
“I can get on a plane tomorrow and leave my garden as it is for two months and I know it will still survive.”
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