Garden Day is about coming together to celebrate nature, our gardens and the transformative act of gardening. We catch up with the founders of the movement and our pick of this year's green-fingered ambassadors making waves in their communities.
Garden Day, the annual movement advocating for connection with our gardens and green spaces, takes place on Sunday, 9 October - and we cannot wait! Now in its seventh year, the national movement was spear-headed by Koos Bekker and the team at the iconic Babylonstoren to encourage an appreciation for our gardens and the act of gardening. Whether one has a traditional suburban garden, a potted balcony, an indoor plant jungle or a humble vegetable patch, everyone is encouraged to participate in Garden Day.
The call is for people across South Africa to celebrate and embrace their green space and the joy and relaxation it brings. Plants chase away anxiety and feed compassion, says Koos, himself an avid gardener. Living with plants has been proven to boost energy levels and happiness at work.
Plantswoman and gardener at Babylonstoren, Gundula Deutschlander says, For me, it is a day to ignore my tools, look beyond the weeds and take pleasure in the beauty of my garden.'
As the official symbol of Garden Day, wearing a flower crown on the day is a must. Once you have made your own, the call is to pay tribute to your garden by inviting friends, family and neighbours and host a tea party, braai or set out a picnic on the grass and enjoy it.
‘I love the idea of sharing my green space with others, and I am always excited to see how creative everyone is on Garden Day,' says Gundula.
Garden Day lauds community gardens throughout the country for creating employment and producing fresh and affordable produce for local residents. This year, the movement collaborates with community gardens Khulisa Streetscapes in Cape Town and Victoria Yards in Joburg where everyone is invited to visit and purchase just- picked vegetables and receive a free flower crown.
Do not miss out. Spread the word in your neighbourhood by joining the newly established Garden Day Society, which assists those with a passion for their neighbourhood to spread the Garden Day spirit and host a garden-based celebration.
For green-fingered inspiration, the Garden Day website has a handy toolkit to help you plan a nature-filled celebration, including downloadable invitations, recipe ideas, activities for children and tips for garden collaborations.
Garden Day South Africa
066 389 5182 (WhatsApp)
gardenday.co.za @GardenDaySA
#GardenDaySA
