The Household Garden Blog

How to choose between plants before you buy

Torn between two plants at the nursery? Compare the things that actually decide success, sun, water and mature size first, so you buy the one that lasts.

How to plan a garden that will actually thrive

Plan your garden in the right order, starting with the sun, and match plants to the place rather than forcing it. A simple approach for South African gardens and pots.

How to create a calm, cosy garden retreat, even in a small space

You do not need a big garden to make a spot that feels like an escape. Simple ways to turn any corner into a calm, cosy retreat.

Less is more, why one great statement planter beats a dozen small pots

A cluttered garden rarely feels calm. Why one well chosen statement planter does more than a dozen small pots, and how to place it.

How to choose the right pot for your plant and your space

The pot is the plant's whole world. A practical guide to getting size, drainage, material and shape right for the plant and the spot.

How to style a garden with pots, mixing shapes, colours and textures

Most gardens look flat because the pots all do the same thing. Here is how to mix shapes, colours, heights and textures so your pots actually work together.

How to choose garden pots that last, and keep them looking new

Cheap pots crack, fade and tip over fast. How to spot a pot that will last outdoors, and the bit of care that keeps it looking new for years.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Water Feature for Your Garden

There’s something undeniably enchanting about the sound of water gently cascading over stones, or the serene sight of a still pond reflecting the sky. Water features have the power to transform any...

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.

A season-by-season garden care guide for South Africa

A season-by-season garden care guide for South Africa, covering spring, summer, autumn and winter jobs by region, plus year-round care for concrete pots and outdoor furniture.

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...

Getting your garden ready for spring: a South African checklist in plain words

A plain-words spring preparation guide for South African gardens, covering frost timing, pruning, refreshing pots, top-dressing beds and lawns, and cleaning concrete pots.