Garden journal
Gardening guides, seasonal tips and plant notes from Heckers.
Featured storyGardening Tips
Attracting butterflies to your garden can be quite a conundrum at times. We want beautiful butterflies to grace our gardens but not their caterpillars which are the larval stage of butterflies. Caterpillars feed on their specific host plants, whilst causing some damage to the plant, it is not enough to harm them permanently. The host […]
Now that we have recovered from the shock of the hail it is time to get our gardens back to looking their best. We tend to think of hail as a disaster with all the damage it causes but in nature hail actually has a very important role. Not only does it help to prune […]
Summer is definitely here and I am sure we are all looking forward to spend some time in our lovely South African sun. So with that in mind we have compiled this guide on looking after your garden in the summer to ensure that you don’t spend all your time working in the garden, after […]
The one thing that always heralds the arrival of the festive season for me is when we start receiving Poinsettias here at the nursery. Poinsettias are prefect for bringing Christmas into your home with their long lasting red bracts that work great in any décor setting. They also make the ideal living gift for that […]
With the holiday season behind us, it is back to the rat race for most of us. That means less time to spend in the garden and more time stuck in traffic. Luckily for you we have put together some of the tasks you will have to do to get your garden looking at its […]
We tend to think of recycling as putting all our glass, cans, and cardboard in separate bags and having it picked up to be recycled. This is a great place to start, but the amazing thing about recycling is that it can be so much more Recycling can be about finding the beauty in something […]
Every year it seems that the arrival of Poinsettias at the nursery also herald the festive season. Few things say Christmas like a Poinsettia. They are one of the most recognizable pot plants in South-Africa. I however wonder what happens to all those plants sold after the holidays… The sad thing is that most of […]
What a fitting time of the year it is to talk about Hydrangeas; due to their favourite epithet being “Christmas flower”. Growing into a handsome big shrub that gets covered by brilliantly coloured big blooms, a must have for gardens with shady areas and a sure bet to enthral with their flowers. They tend to […]
With all the festivities behind us and the guests making their way back home, it is time to look forward to the New Year. Getting stuck into the garden is one of the best ways to get rid of all the holiday pounds, whilst enjoying time in the sun. For those of us returning from […]
With our modern life styles, our green spaces, gardens and nature around us are being swallowed by the concrete jungle. Gardens are getting smaller and with that – our privacy. Growing a hedge or screening plant is one of the best ways to ensure that your privacy remains intact whilst bringing a bit of nature […]
Valentine’s gifts can be a tricky one, with all the expectations to splash out on the craziest of gifts. Why not keep it simple this year and go for something that will grow on your Valentine? A living gift offers so much more than an uninspired gift from the shops that will just end up […]
Don’t let the heat get you down by bringing some cooling colour into your garden with Heckers’ guide on an amazing selection of colourful flowers for this summer. With the intense heat we have been experiencing lately we can definitely say that summer is here. Luckily there are plants that thrive in this scorching weather […]
With the rains finally arriving, our gardens have suddenly been transformed into an oasis of green and colour. With this change, the creatures and critters in our gardens also spring to life. These denizens are often misunderstood and unappreciated. However, they play an integral role in maintaining a natural, healthy equilibrium in our gardens. When […]
Hydrangea throughout the seasons Hydrangea macrophylla is one of our garden plants that best showcases the extreme differences in seasons. From looking like nothing more than a bunch of twigs during winter to its stunning bountiful blooms in summer. Hydrangeas are also known as the Christmas flower owing to their amazing flowering during the festive season. […]
Through all the hail and dry weather my Bougainvilleas at home still have so many flowers that I cannot even see the leaves. Though I have to admit that I really don’t feed them as often as I should. Bougainvilleas are one of those plants that continue to amaze me year after year, with their […]
All plants are unique and wonderful in their own way, yet there are some plants that truly stand out. Welcome to the wonderful world of Orchids, Bromeliads, and Carnivorous plants. Whether it is Orchids or Bromeliads which stun with their exquisite flowers or perfect geometric designs, or Carnivorous plants which have managed to turn the […]
At last, the first drops have fallen and the change in our gardens is instant. Let’s hope we get another shower soon to keep our gardens looking at their best. Yet we are still not out of the woods in regards to water shortages and incompetence from our municipalities and water department. One can rant […]
Ever wondered what does NPK stand for on fertilizer bags? At a glance, these numbers can seem so confusing. I Have received quite a few requests for an article explaining those confusing numbers on fertiliser bags, so many people want to know what does the NPK stand for on fertilizer bags. .Let’s start by looking […]
We are excited to introduce you to the world of mulch, a must-have for any garden enthusiast. Mulch is a fantastic addition to any garden as it provides numerous benefits that help keep your plants healthy and happy. In this brochure, we will explain what mulch is, its benefits, and how to use it in your garden. WHAT […]
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SPEKBOOM A industrious little plant with a very big heart that acts as a carbon sink and is a true South African hero. It seems rather unassuming for a plant with a growing reputation for saving the planet To name just a few of its amazing attributes:– Easy to grow– Low maintenance– Reduces soil erosion– Makes a […]