The Gardener is a monthly, national magazine dedicated to inspiring gardeners, providing practical advice and showing step-by-step garden projects. Our monthly features include garden design, in-depth plant features, growing vegetables and herbs, water gardening, garden wildlife and pets, specialist plant articles and much more. We have an extensive database on our website that is growing daily.
Welcome
FRESH PICKS AND CLIPS
Dirt Diaries - letters from our readers
Ask the team
The Serenity Garden Journey • A new South African landmark is about to become a favourite with locals and international visitors – it’s a record-breaking labyrinth designed by Tim Steyn.
WIN at Brahman Hills • Answer an easy question and stand a chance to win a weekend away with breakfast at the magnificent Brahman Hills, set amongst the award-winning gardens. Come and experience the gardens and the new Serenity Garden Journey for yourself.
COVER STORIES
A Karoo garden’s story • Set in a peaceful crescent in the village of Prince Albert, with sweeping views of the magnificent Swartberg mountains, the garden at Die Blikhuis is a quietly remarkable achievement.
The aloe alchemist Andy de Wet’s lifelong pursuit of plants
The Entertainer’s GARDEN • Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland, will be transformed into a celebration of gardening, food, and sustainable living this summer. Bord Bia Bloom is the Irish garden festival featuring all things gardening (www.bordbiabloom.com).
WHAT TO PLANT NOW
10 PET-PLEASING PLANTS for your garden • We do not only create lovely outdoor spaces for ourselves – our best buddies spend even more time in our gardens. Why not introduce a few aromatic, edible pet-safe plants that your cat or dog can enjoy with you? Here are our top ten pet-friendly plants to try.
Pretty, tough and colourful • Flowers that come to life early in the spring season are long-lasting colour for garden beds and containers. Look out for some of these incredible varieties in the seedling section of your local nursery.
Heard of SEMPONIUM? • A cross between closely related genera resulted in flashy succulents with large, fleshy foliage in vivid hues and a tolerance for-4˚ C. That’s something to write home about!
Bold ajuga groundcovers • For a combination of toughness, bold foliage and low maintenance, ajugas stand out in a crowd.
Fair of face, big of heart! • The fairest flowers, join us in celebrating National Women’s Month in August 2026 with their abundance of joyful blooms. Those marching resiliently in the front rows towards spring are ‘Princess’ lavender and ‘Go Daisy’…
Pretty Ipomoea • Spiller, thriller or filler, such are the roles the ornamental sweet potato vine can play for you.
IN THE FOOD GARDEN
TOP 10 CROPS IN POTS • In every modest-sized plot and even in large pots, fruit trees bearing the sweetest fruit can grow. It is not as tricky as you might think, and picking your own is one of the most rewarding activities.
How to grow COMFREY and its uses
NEEM TREE • We talk a lot about neem oil for use as a natural pesticide and for fighting fungal diseases and bacteria. It makes sense then to grow a neem tree to harvest the oils for use in your garden. Let’s explore this remarkable tree.
Seasonal sowing guide
SUPER sprouts
Amp up your SOWING TECHNIQUES before Spring
Piccalilli • A great pickle for cold meats and cheese, and a way of preserving winter crops of cauliflowers and carrots, is on the list this month. Here is how to make it and keep it on the shelf until summer.
THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN
Rust • Powdery yellow-brown spots, leaves yellowing, curling or dropping off – your plants may have a rust...