Gardening is great for the body and soul. But gardening in a biosphere as special as the Kogelberg, has a number of extra perks. Most notably, you’re gardening in one of nature’s most extensive and complex gardens in the world: our very special Cape Floral Kingdom.

According to Galia Manicom of the FightForFynbos group, “The Kogelberg Biosphere is known as “the hottest hotspot” for plants in the world. It has the highest concentration of plant species, some occurring on only a few hectares and nowhere else on earth.”  

With fynbos all around us in the Kogelberg Biosphere, it serves as a wonderful inspiration for our own gardens, green spaces or windowsills. It’s also the ideal opportunity to use your green space as a wildlife corridor, to give back to nature – by merging your gardening elements with the natural world around you.  

But despite all the positives, gardeners do have challenges too – like the windy conditions, sea spray, the worry regarding wildfires and the potential for water-logged properties. 

So here are a few tips for our biosphere gardeners, to create a green hub that both people and wildlife can enjoy, while working with the elements. 

A tip before you build 

If you are yet to build on your plot, clear only the footprint of the house and driveway, leaving the rest of your garden as natural as possible. Galia says, “Plot owners could save their own plants and replant in their gardens. Sadly, many new owners (and their builders) are not aware of the treasures they have on their plot and more importantly, the guidelines governing building in a biosphere.” 

For example, according to the Overstrand Municipality’s building guideline: “Once the building footprint has been pegged out, please do not clear the erf totally. Simply stake off a working margin of 1 to 1.5 m around the area and leave the rest undisturbed. This is not only for the sake of the fauna and flora, but to prevent precious topsoil being carried off by the wind.” 

However, before a plot is scheduled to be cleared, please contact the FightForFynbos group, led by Galia. They will be able to help rescue fynbos plants from your plot, because, contrary to popular belief, fynbos can be transplanted.  

Earth-moving machinery is also not recommended on your property, as this can lead to the loss of the fynbos seed bank and causes erosion. What’s more, digging during building radically affects the natural soil profile. The nutrient-poor topsoil found in our area is very shallow and once disturbed, takes years to recover, affecting your garden’s ability to flourish. 

Planning your garden 

In his book, Your Place in the Kogelberg, Tim Attwell suggests that to plan a well-balanced garden, or even a colourful windowsill, identify the type of fynbos vegetation around you, and match your plants with those that are found in the fynbos.  

Galia adds, “Before you do anything in your garden, take note of the plants growing in your surrounding area. But, what grows in one part of the town, may not flourish in another, e.g. plants on the mountainside differ to plants near the sea, differ to plants in wetlands.” 

If you have the space, think of the various sections of your garden as rooms, each created with its own special character, according to Attwell. You can create a quiet corner surrounded by trees, or a patch for children to play on. Then link these rooms with pathways – either natural or crafted. Galia also offers advice on planting: If it’s going to grow short, plant it in front. If it’s going to grow tall, plant it at the back. 

It’s ideal to choose water-wise plants, because of the dry summers we have in the Kogelberg. Galia says, “A garden can never have too many plants! Besides the well-known pincushions and proteas, there are beautiful restios, bulbs, Ericas and everlastings, all indigenous and waterwise, able to survive on rainwater alone (once they are established).”  

When the work begins 

Once you have planned your green space, and created your flowerbeds, the first step is to cover the soil with mulch of tree bark, like acidic pine bark. This will help the soil retain moisture in our dry area, and prevent sandy soil from blowing away. And never use fertilizer. 

Trees can work well in some of your ‘rooms’, creating a peaceful, secluded area, privacy and can help reduce noise from the streets. Attwell recommends drought-resistant coastal camphor bush (Tarchonanthus littoralis), wind–resistant wild olive (Olea europea, subspecies africana), or the bird-loving Cape ash (Ekebergia capensis), among others. 

Shrubs, too, should be carefully selected for each green space. Species such as Protea repens, or the Kogelberg’s beautiful pincushion (Leucospermum oleifolium) bring wonderful colour to any garden. Fragrant buchu, such as the confetti bush (Coleonema album), also provides a fresh garden fragrance. 

Between the shrubs and trees, add small flowering plants and ground covers, such as summer-flowering red–hot pokers (Kniphofia tabularis or K. uvaria), wild asters (Felicia aethiopica) and pretty white arum lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) – especially in boggy spots. If you do need to have a lawn, then avoid the invasive kikuyu grass. Attwell recommends indigenous buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) as a good alternative. 

Use water to your advantage 

If you are the owner of a wet plot, use this to your advantage. For example, you can create a moving stream or pond on your site. Not only will this become a home for many aquatic creatures, but it will also help reduce water-logging and erosion.  

Tip: Be sure to keep the water moving, so as not to attract mosquitoes. 

And what about the animals?

Galia says, “You are living in a biosphere, so learn to garden with critters – they don’t speak Human and definitely do not understand ‘keep out’!” 

For example, porcupines love bulbs and celery, baboons love flowers and your most precious plants, moles love grass and herb gardens and Cape Spurfowl love new plants and scratch everywhere, so place small sticks over new plants. 

Available resources 

There are many resources and experts to turn to should you have questions about your garden or green space.  

Tim Attwell’s book, Your Place in the Kogelberg, is filled with ideas on how to plan your green hub, and includes tips on which species to plant. Or speak to experts such as the FightForFynbos group (contact Galia Manicom: 082 963 3804) or the Botanical Society’s Kogelberg branch (chat to Tim Attwell: 082 343 2501).  

There are many nurseries that sell seeds and plants in the Kogelberg – although be sure to check out their indigenous offering: 

• The Plant Sales Nursery at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden

• The Potter’s Gallery in Kleinmond

• Keurbos Nursery in Grabouw

• Fairholme Plants

And then, have fun creating your green space – in true biosphere-living style: in a way that works both for people and for nature. As Galia says, “Your garden doesn’t have to be perfect the first time. Don’t rush! Gardening in the fynbos is not more difficult, just different!”  

Sources:  

– Your place in the Kogelberg, by Tim Attwell 

– Kogelberg Biosphere newsletter, June 2024 

– Galia Manicom 

Photo credits: Galia Manicom, LoveGreen Communications

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