The Household Garden Blog

Why pots are the water-wise way to garden in South Africa

Why a garden grown in pots uses less water than one grown in open beds, and how concrete, mulch, soil mix and plant choice make the saving real.

Fertiliser for pots and gardens: what to use, when, and how much

An honest, practical guide to fertiliser for South African pots and beds: what NPK means, organic versus synthetic, slow-release versus liquid, how often to feed containers, and how to read the lea...

Soil health for pot gardeners: what living soil is and how to keep it alive in a container

A practical guide to soil health for container gardeners: what living soil is, why it dies in a pot, and the compost, mulch and drainage habits that keep it working.

Vegetables that grow in shade: what to plant where the sun does not reach

Which vegetables actually crop in a shaded South African garden, how much sun they really need, and why growing them in pots changes the odds.

How to create a water-wise garden in South Africa

A practical guide to water-wise gardening in South Africa, from soil and sun checks to indigenous plant choices, mulch, grey water and why concrete pots make the whole thing easier.

Starting a garden from scratch in South Africa: where to begin

How to start a garden from scratch in South Africa, from reading the sun and soil to choosing a first bed, first plants and pots for the spots where nothing will grow in the ground.

How to prepare soil for summer vegetables in South Africa

A practical South African guide to clearing, feeding and warming up garden beds and pots before planting summer vegetables.

Can you use garden soil in pots? What actually happens if you do

An honest look at why garden soil fails in containers, how to fix a pot you have already filled with it, and an affordable potting mix that actually drains.

Compost vs fertiliser vs soil, what is the difference

Soil, compost and fertiliser do three different jobs, and mixing them up trips up a lot of gardeners. What each one is for, and how to use them together well.

The best type of soil for plants, and what to use in pots

Your soil decides whether plants thrive or struggle. How to tell what you have, sand, clay or loam, how to improve it, and the best soil to use in pots.

What is mulch, and how to use it in pots and beds in South Africa

A practical guide to what mulch is, which type to use where, how deep to lay it, and why a pebble layer earns its place on a container.