The True Benefits Of Planting An Indigenous Garden

from HOMEMAKERS Cape Town February 2023

EXCUSES TO MAKE

Indigenous plants, having evolved locally over hundreds of years, need much fewer extra inputs to thrive in South African gardens

This means less watering, but also less fertilizer, pesticides and plant food. It’s a proven fact that these harmful chemicals make their way into groundwater and soil, saturating our natural world with unnatural substances.

If you leave the snails and don’t poison the birds by spraying pesticide, pretty soon you’ll have your own team of pest controllers flapping about.

But you know what’s better than hoping birds and beetles save your violets and roses?

Not planting them at all and opting for wild iris or other local flowering plants instead.

Love animals? Indigenous or so called “wildlife gardens” are sure fire way to save them.

Indigenous plants create a true circle of life. If you have been a fierce guardian of your violets, declaring war on all that creeps and nibbles, going indigenous will be an adjustment.

The small creatures that end up living and thriving in your new, indigenous garden become an important part of the greater wildlife food-chain, helping species that would otherwise suffer to urbanization, survive.

Everyone is aware of the strength, beauty, and longevity of hardwood flooring. However, many people are unaware of the numerous health advantages that laminate, vinyl or hardwood flooring may offer. Here are the top 3 advantages that vinyl, laminate and hardwood floors might have for your health.

Wooden Floors Are Cleaner

Wooden laminate or hardwood floors are really simple to sanitise and maintain. Because of the nature of wood, once you’ve cleaned your floor, it is genuinely clean because it doesn’t harbour bacteria or unwanted odours. Dust and bacteria that cling to the deep fibres and build up over time cannot ever completely be removed from carpets.

Wooden Flooring Are Hypo-allergenic

Since wood flooring and vinyl are simple to clean, the clean surface and lack of fibres that can retain bacterial mites, gives it a hypo-allergenic status. With carpet, this is challenging since the fibres can harbour bacteria and allergens even after a thorough cleaning and vacuuming.

Any flooring that could contribute to the retention of dust should be given a second thought as allergies afflict as many as 30 to 40% of South Africans, and household dust is one of the primary offenders. Younger children and babies are more at risk since they spend so much time on the floor.

Wooden Flooring Are Non-Toxic

Hardwood, vinyl or laminate flooring are the safest and least toxic flooring you can have. Other flooring, such as carpets, have proven to be harmful to pets and babies due to the toxic chemicals used within these materials creating poor air quality within your home. Whether you choose vinyl, laminate or hardwood floors, you’re assured that the safety of your loved ones takes precedence.