Garden Chat

Fine Music Radio — Today it’s about wild, interactive, fun, environment friendly gardening!!!! Many of us are still stuck with concepts such as meadow gardens, country gardens, rose gardens, English gardens, Japanese gardens and Zen gardens but we do have a licence to create our very own wild Cape gardens. I know many are still afflicted with ODS…the Over Design Syndrome. 45 degree hedges, straight stripes-colour co-ordinated, structured veggie gardens and highly trained obedient trees! Could it be time to throw away the dumpy level, colour charts, sculpture equipment and broaden our horizons by just mimicking nature? Like all other living creatures plants wants to excel, flower, fruit and reach their full potential. In order to achieve this, here is some starters advice.. FMR GARDEN CHAT SCRIPT - 4 May 2019.pdf — PDF (123.7 KB)

Fine Music Radio — This past week was interesting as we are now beginning to feel the cool and see the change it brings. One definitely feels it early in the morning which is quite different from a week or two ago. The change of seasons is exciting and full of energy and we really need to get out there and become part of it. Cape Town is not known for its autumn splendour but I have already seen the start of leaf change with Liquidambers, Pin Oaks and Fiddlewoods around the city.Hopefully a sign of a cold wet winter ahead. An Autumn favourite is the ornamental grape that provides shade on many patios and traditional homes throughout the Western Cape. FMR GARDEN CHAT SCRIPT - 27 April 2019.pdf — PDF (299.0 KB)

Fine Music Radio — We have been enjoying some of the cool weather this past week. Its exciting to see cloud on the mountain and although it does not always result in rain, the fynbos is benefitting and all is growing and greener. A good example it is of how little water is needed to keep local flora happy. We have nevertheless had some good rain to kick start the process! Rain or not, there is much we can do this time of the year. It is of course planting time, when we can concentrate on the main stuff but must not forget the little things that give big results. Winter flowers and vegetables must be planted if we want good results. Our winter spring gardens are always the most productive and colourful so we can’t leave it too late. Easy and rewarding vegetables are carrots, peas, broad beans, onions, and all year crops like beetroot, lettuce, radish. All of which can be sown directly into the patch. FMR GARDEN CHAT SCRIPT - 20 April 2019.pdf — PDF (123.9 KB)

Fine Music Radio — We strive for a more balanced life between work and play. You know, a bit of this, bit of that! Nothing in excess, all balanced with a good mix of everything. Nature seems to live happily with this formula so should we not apply this in our lives and extend it into the garden. No doubt about it….we should Sadly, we could be losing the plot in our gardens! We use plants that are not suited to our environment, we lean towards ornamental value only, with little thought given to other important characteristics. We don’t consider the long term maintenance hassles and we don’t even know their names or what they require to live a long and happy life. The answer is simple, know everything about that plant before putting it in the ground. FMR GARDEN CHAT SCRIPT - 13 April 2019.pdf — PDF (126.0 KB)

Fine Music Radio — I did spent some quality time in the company of a tree outside my old abode. It was a fine specimen of Trichelia emetica The Natal Mahogany! Not common in this part of the world so a pleasure to see a good specimen. It’s an evergreen giving quite a heavy shade but this particular specimen has been trimmed up to form a high canopy which allows in a lot of light. We find that at this time of the year as the sun drops and the shadows get longer , some areas of lawn tend to weaken and go off until the sun returns. A good lawn is all about light quality! That is if you still have lawn! Both you and the lawn will benefit from trees with clean stems and high canopies. Many large evergreens and deciduous trees can be lifted and thinned to allow in more light, resulting in stronger growth underneath.

Fine Music Radio — The Garden Chat with Sandy Munro - 30 March 2019

Fine Music Radio — The Garden Chat with Sandy Munro - 23 March 2019

Fine Music Radio — The Garden Chat with Sandy Munro - 16 March 2019

Fine Music Radio — The Garden Chat with Sandy Munro - 09 March 2019

Fine Music Radio — Good morning…and a special one it is because unofficially it is the start of Autumn. In the garden and the wild it is a bit of a go slow before the winter growing season starts accompanied by lots of rain…. Let’s be positive!! Over the past year I have often mentioned the illustrious Christmas Berry Chironia baccifera also referred to as the Bitterbossie I thought I knew it inside out but over the last few months I have learnt it is much more than just good looks! FMR GARDEN CHAT SCRIPT - 02 MAR 2019.pdf — PDF (123.9 KB)