Bloemfontein’s well-known sustainable food growing expert, Thabo Olivier, joined The Good Morning Breakfast for this week’s edition of Get Wise Wednesday to share simple tips for home gardening. Olivier says most people already have everything they need. 

“Your garden waste and old containers can become your starter kit. A 20-litre plastic bucket that you would normally throw away is perfect for chillies, tomatoes, or even jalapeños. 

“Add some old grass clippings, mix with soil, and you’ve got rich compost to plant in.”

For beginners, he recommends spinach and cherry tomatoes. “If you can’t grow spinach, maybe gardening isn’t for you,” he joked. 

Potatoes, jalapeños, and cucumbers are also hardy choices, while butternut adds beauty when trained to grow over arches.

Beyond saving money, homegrown produce can be a source of pride and fun. 

“Imagine inviting friends for a braai and telling them the salad or potatoes came from your garden. That’s a real return on investment,” said host Shandor Potgieter.

Oliver added experimenting with vegetarian dishes using soya mince hidden inside butternut – a trick that once fooled a self-confessed carnivore.

Pests remain a challenge, but Olivier advises organic insecticides, like his homemade chili, onion, and garlic spray remedy, and keeping plants well-elevated to avoid rot and disease. 

“Nature will make most things grow. The secret is to enjoy it. If you enjoy gardening, you will succeed.”

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