Newsletter Autumn 2017 edition From our Chairperson As we approach autumn and the water twice a week. Shrubs will background music will be provided We have a superbly dedicated Vaal Dam reaches 100%, water need watering three times a week. during the afternoon. The Tea Party and hard working group of resi- restrictions in Gauteng have been In addition, you will see the gar- will start at 3 p.m. and, as before, we dents who willingly give many lifted. The recent good rains have dens on either side of the walkway value your support in our efforts to hours of their time to improving made the Village lawns look lush leading to the Service Centre being raise funds to improve the common the Village gardens. This garden again. changed into a much more attrac- area gardens in the Village. “team” work extremely well to- tive feature. gether (TEAM standing for To- A reminder to residents to con- We are also planning S As always, my gether Everyone Achieves More) R tinue making “water saving tips” to African Daisy E sincere thanks and have become great friends in N a part of our daily lives. We need seeds around the Vil- N to all the mem- the process. Long may this con- I Hazel Richardson to be constantly aware of the fact lage which should Unit 334 bers of the Gar- tinue! W Joan Leppan

that water is a very pre- provide brilliant E den Committee.

L Unit 304 Doreen

cious resource. Please splashes of colour F

F Veronica Christianse

remember to avoid wa- throughout the com- A R Unit 103 tering during the hot- ing months. All in all, test times of the day and a lot to look forward to in not to let sprinklers run the Village gardens as autumn ap- in one place for longer proaches. than is required. We cannot af- The committee ford to waste water! Our next fund raiser will be a raffle and Tea Party on 22nd of April. Tick- Doreen Dennehy Unit 41 5243 During March, we will be planting ets will be on sale from early April Tracy-Lee Daling Admin 5500 more trees and indigenous shrubs in the Reception area of the Ser- Louise (Lu) Penberthy Unit 163 5389 in common areas around the Vil- vice Centre. Raffle tickets will cost Margie Lockwood Unit 133 5451 lage. We really want to take advan- R10 and the prize will be a “pamper

Beryl Taylor Unit 161 5388 tage of the softer ground following hamper” meant to spoil you – the all the recent rain which will cer- draw will take place at the Tea Par- Jim Taylor Unit 161 5388 tainly make planting a lot easier. ty. The Tea Party tickets cost R40 Inside... Thersia Tait Unit 47 5227 Once again, we appeal to residents and can be purchased in the Recep- Plant of the Quarter – 2 Committee Gardens 5 Di Main Unit 57 5125 to “adopt” a tree or shrub planted tion Area of the Service Centre or Indigenous and corms 3 Common Area Gardens 6 Monica Hall Unit 436 5209 near your unit. Please remember from Garden Committee Members. that these are “young” trees which A lady from Efekto / Mayford will Sidney Roodt Unit 386 5150 Planting Herbs in Pots 4 From the Garden Couch 6 will need about half a bucket of give a talk prior to the tea and live 250ml of Aloe Vera juice contains no sugar Plant of the Quarter and only a few calories. The uses of Aloe Vera juice are legion. The low tox- A genus of succulent plants containing over will vigorously resprout. It is of interest to icity makes it a safe and gentle remedy for 500 of flowering plants. note that Aloe Vera can be traced back 6000 heartburn and other related digestive prob- Aloe use the gel squeezed from your own Aloe years to ancient Egypt were it was presented lems. Rinsing tomatoes, apples and veg- plant, but topically only. Please do not in- come in a variety of growth forms, to deceased pharaohs as a burial gift. etables in Aloe juice will block the growth of gest any gel that has not been professionally from small miniatures to tall single stemmed Aloe Vera or ‘true aloe’ is widely grown as bacteria thus keeping them fresh for extend- refined. or branched trees, with some a source of Aloe Vera phar- ed periods without refrigeration. Aloe Vera species forming large, tangled maceutical products. Aloe extract is a safe and effective non-chemical Unlike other succulents and cacti, it is dif- shrubs. The usually swol- Vera juice is a gooey, thick mouthwash. The plants natural ingredi- ficult to propagate Aloe Vera from a leaf. len and succulent leaves are liquid made from the flesh ents, which includes a healthy dose of vita- Most gardeners plant Aloe Vera using an lance or sword shaped. They of the plant leaf. The juice is min C, blocks plaque, and provides relief to offshoot which results in more successful are arranged in terminal clus- made by crushing or grind- ulcers, swollen or bleeding gums or thrush. plants. ters (rosettes) and are armed ing the entire leaf, followed along their margins with usu- by various steps to purify Ingesting 2 table spoons of Aloe Vera juice I am sure that after reading all about this ally sharp teeth. The fleshy and filter the liquid. With per day lowers blood sugar levels. Exten- remarkable plant, it will get the respect and leaves vary in colour from a mild, tolerable flavour, sive studies in phytomedicine has resulted admiration it deserves. grey to bright green and are the juice mixes easily into in confirmation that Aloe Vera may have sometimes striped or mottled. shakes and smoothies. An a profound treatment in type 2 diabetes. The most common shape of excellent supplement, the Please note that it should not replace any flowers are tubular and are Aloe Vera juice balances the medication currently in use ! brightly coloured in various PH levels and reduces acid- Aloe Vera skin care products need no in- shades of red, orange and ity. It hydrates the body and troduction. Creams, lotions, body butters, yellow. The vast majority of packs a hefty punch of nu- masks, cleansers...... in fact too many to Aloes flower in winter while trients that optimises organ mention them all. All wonderfully benefi- some exotic forms flower in function. It is a rich source cial and totally natural to compliment your spring. The seeds of the Aloe of antioxidants and vitamin. beauty regime. The gel obtained from the are often equipped with a It neutralizes the effects of water dense leaves contains complex carbo- single wing to help with dis- UV radiation and helps pre- hydrates and many compounds that make it persal. Aloes are mostly long- vent fine lines and wrinkles. a very effective face and body moisturiser, lived plants especially the larger species. An Contained within the juice are vitamins BCE and pain reliever. Excellent in the treat- Aloe Dichotoma was estimated at being 145 and folic acid. It also contains trace amounts ment of skin rashes, sunburn, nappy rashes years old. It is one of the few fleshy plants of calcium, copper, chromium, sodium, se- etc... that readily survive veldt fires. The plant lenium, magnesium, potassium, manganese above ground may be and zinc. It also is the only plant source of Aloe Vera products of all ranges are read- Page 2 totally destroyed but vitamin B12. Excellent news for vegetar- ily obtainable from any leading pharmacy, the fleshy root stock ians and vegans! health shop or supermarket. You can safely Kniphofia bruceae Indigenous bulbs and Also Known as the Red hot poker, this is another winter corms for a Colourful flowering species with lush green foliage and striking red, Winter and Spring orange or yellow flowers. Tidy them up by removing dead fo- liage and lift and divide large garden clumps. Babiana angustifolia Chasmanthe Freesia (Above) The small corms produce hairy deeply pleated Winter growing deciduous bulbs with sword These popular spring flowering bulbs have A genus of small bulbs producing tubular leaves from 10 to 30cm long. Deep blue to vio- shaped leaves and tall spikes of showy flowers been extensively hybridized, but the larger flowers, in a range of colours, grouped ona let fragrant flowers appear in spring. Plant the in late winter. These low maintenance plants flowers on longer stems often lack the won- flower stalk. Plant in an area with full morning corms with the add seasonal interest to any part of the gar- derful perfume of the wild species. The plants sun and afternoon shade or group at least 50 top about 3cm den. Plant the fast growing corms 5cm deep have fan-shaped foliage with elegant spires of bulbs together in a container on a patio. The below the soil and 30cm apart in full sun. They will multiply funnel shaped flowers. Plant the freesia bulbs leaves of Lachenalia aloides are green or heav- surface in con- freely forming dense stands. Water well dur- in a sunny or semi-shade spot in large groups ily spotted with purple and the flowers range tainers or plant ing winter and do not remove after flowering to make a real show in spring. from shades of pockets in rock as they will tolerate summer rainfall or irriga- bright yellow and gravel gar- tion provided the soil is well-drained. In shade Ixia to orange with dens. Babianas or semi shade areas plant C. aethiopica for Another winter growing genus of about 65 maroon tips. require full sun flowers in May or June. For red and yellowish species from the South Western Cape region. Lachenalia bul- and very well green flowers The flowers are brightly coloured often with bifera is a small- drained soil. Mulch the plants with compost plant C. bico- dark centres. er species with in June or July and water well about twice a lour in full sun. bright red flow- week during winter and spring. Feed with The tall, up Ixias require full sun and well-drained soil ers from April to a light dressing of organic or liquid fertiliser to one meter mixed with equal parts of silica sand and September. during the growing season. In clay soil or wet flower stalks of sifted compost. The small-flowered white var. areas plant the Babiana villosa corms with C. floribunda polystachya prefer deep red or purplish pink flowers in spring. produce dark damp places and humidity, use containers you can enclose in orange flowers light shade, while glass or plastic to keep humidity high. Until in July and C. the large mauve the cuttings can take up water through their floribunda var. var. crassifolia yet-to-grow roots, high humidity is the best duckittii pale requires full sun way to prevent moisture yellow flowers and makes a good Page 3 loss from the leaves and in July. container plant. rooting medium. Indigenous bulbs and Planting corms continued... HERBS Ornithogalum green leaves are closely set in a fan thyrsoides shape and finely veined. Cup-shaped in Pots Commonly referred to as Chinche- flowers in bright pastel colours, on A collection of herbs in rinchee make excellent cut flowers long thin stems, can be 3 to 4 cm in containers in a sunny that will last weeks. Plant the corms diameter. Plant the bulbs in March in autumn, 2cm deep and water well and water well during autumn and place near the house is during the winter and spring. The a great asset for both first white flowers will appear in late spring and the plants will continue garden and kitchen to flower into summer. They will Most herbs are suitable for con- feeding to grow well. Put each plant will give you leaves for nearly two tolerate summer moisture provided tainer cultivation. They can eas- in its own five litre pot, keep it well years before it flowers and dies. the soil is well-drained. O var. saun- ily be sown from seed or bought watered and pick it regularly. Coriander – Planted in the from nurseries or garden cen- spring, coriander quickly flow- Chives – Use in salads, snipped tres. Choose containers which ers and goes to seed. You can try up over soups, or added as gar- give herbs a deep root run where and delay this (by keeping it well nish. The flowers are cheerful in they can be left undisturbed. watered and fed, growing it in a the spring, taste yummy – and Use a gritty, well-drained com- more shady space, and cutting the bees love them too. This is winter. In a container these cheerful post, adding up to 25 percent by the leaves regularly), but it will another easy one to grow and only plants will brighten any patio. volume of coarse grit or perlite happen eventually, whatever you needs four or five hours’ of sun. to a loam based compost. Keep Make sure it doesn’t dry out, as do. Don’t worry: the flowers are Tritonia the compost moist, but never chives like damp soil. magnets for hoverflies (whose Another cormous perennial with soggy. Use balanced fertiliser to Sage, Bay, Thyme and larvae eat aphids) and the green more than 28 species identified in encourage leafy growth, rather Rosemary – Easy to grow with seeds are delicious. Southern Africa that has been hy- than potassium-rich fertiliser unique flavours, these classic Basil – It’s best grown in a warm, dersiae originated from the eastern bridized for gardens throughout the that might promote flowering. herbs are excellent for soups, bright, sheltered spot. It also regions of Southern Africa and bear world. The leaves are sword shaped Ten of the best herbs to stocks, meats, pastas and more. doesn’t like going to bed with wet white or cream flowers. with a prominent midrib. Multiple They don’t like wet roots – so roots – so grow in well-drained flowers are set one sided or spiral grow in containers grow in well-drained soil and take soil and water in the morning. Sparaxis up the thin stems and the buds start Mint – You can use it for every- care not to over-water. You can Sorrel – Plant six to eight plants The hybrids of these colourful cor- opening from the bottom. Plant dur- thing from tea to mojitos, to mint grow sage from seed, the others in a window box with at least four mous perennials have become very ing March in well composted soil and coriander chutney. Its also are better bought as plants or hours sun and it will give you a popular in our gardens as spring and water regularly. The colours easy to grow – it’ll even cope with grown from cuttings. flavour hit all year round. Pick bulbs. The range from white and cream , or- Page 4 difficult shady spaces that only Parsley – This is slow to get go- the outer leaves and it will keep sword shaped ange and red to pink and pale lilac. get a little sun. It needs regular ing from seed but once established producing new leaves. Garden Committee Members In this issue we are not featuring a single garden. The Garden Committee members submitted photos of their own gardens to share... in their own gardens If you want your garden to feature in this newsletter, please contact any of the Garden Committee members.

Jeremy and Doreen John & Di Jim and Beryl

Page 5 Garden Committee Members in their own gardens

Chris and Louise Martin and Margie Johann and Thersia

Page 6 From the Garden Couch How dirt been found to mirror the effect on neurons that Common area Gardens makes you drugs like Prozac provide. The bacterium is found happy in soil and may stimulate serotonin production, The Good and the Bad which makes you relaxed and happier. Stud- By Bonnie L. Grant All residents who help with wa- ies were conducted on cancer patients and they  tering common areas reported a better quality of life and less stress. Antidepressant microbes in soil: Prozac may Armchair critics – not be the only way to get rid of your serious Lack of serotonin has been linked to depres-  get involved! blues. Soil microbes have been found to have sion, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and Residents that help the commit- similar effects on the brain and are with- bipolar problems. The bacterium appears to be a tee in numerous ways. (See list out side effects and chemical dependency  natural antidepressant in soil and has no adverse below) potential. Learn how to harness the natural health effects. These antidepressant microbes in Residents that actively recycle antidepressant in soil and make yourself hap- soil may be as easy to use as just playing in the their waste. You save the planet pier and healthier.  dirt. and help the village. Natural remedies have been around for Most avid gardeners will tell you that their land- untold centuries. These natural remedies in- scape is their “happy place” and the actual physi- cluded cures for almost any physical ailment cal act of gardening is a stress reducer and mood as well as mental and emotional afflictions. lifter. The fact that there is some science behind Ancient healers may not have known why it adds additional credibility to these garden ad- something worked but simply that it did. dicts’ claims. Modern scientists have unraveled the why of many medicinal plants and practices but The presence of a soil bacteria antidepressant only recently are they finding remedies that is not a surprise to many of us who have experi- were previously unknown and yet, still a part enced the phenomenon ourselves. Backing it up of the natural life cycle. Soil microbes and with science is fascinating, but not shocking, to human health now have a positive link which the happy gardener. Thank you to the following residents for the plants, shrubs, seeds, bulbs etc. they donated for the common gardens: has been studied and found to be verifiable. Mycobacterium antidepressant microbes in soil Joan Penrose – Unit 131; Lyn & Alan Sharp – Unit 37; Martie & Kobus Booyens – Unit 118; Did you know that there’s a natural antide- are also being investigated for improving cogni- Beulah & Brian Miskin – Unit 159; Yvonne & George Ralph – Unit 132; Mario Dona – Unit 62; Ingrid Wohlers – Unit 416; Margie & Martin Lockwood – Unit 133; Rosemary Woolley – Unit pressant in soil? Mycobacterium vaccae is tive function, Crohn’s disease and even rheuma- 129; Thersia & Johann Tait – Unit 47; Doreen & Jeremy Dennehy – Unit 41; Jean Barrie – Unit the substance under study and has indeed toid arthritis. 154; Vicky Walters – Unit 66; Sid & Jeanette Marks – Unit 187

Edited by committee members. Some information from the Internet (Public Domain.)

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