Mitchell’s Plain gardeners, who transformed their yards from unused spaces into food gardens and sanctuaries of peace received top honours at Soil for Life’s 2019 Home Food Gardening Awards.
Fareda Abrahams, from Westridge, burst into tears on accepting the award of best home gardener, at the non-profit organisation’s base in Constantia on Thursday November 28.
She completed a 12-week programme, which included step-by-step tuition, home visits and resources to grow her own food in 2017.
Ms Abrahams then continued to work in her garden, from which she gets food and where she finds solace when life gets hard.
Mitchell’s Plain facilitator Sandi Lewis said participants were trained and then given more than a year’s support.
Prizes include a home make-over for Ms Abrahams, water tanks, gardening tools, fans, kettles and toasters.
Desiree Evon, from Westridge, won best container garden; Estelle Petersen, from Lentegeur, won third prize for best container garden; Adolf Smith, from Strandfontein, won second place for best new home gardener; Wilmeena Jacobs, from Portland, won entrepreneur gardener; Henry Brikkels and Stanton Sheldon, both from Rocklands, each won a tank
for entrepreneurial spirit;
and William Isaacs, from Rocklands, won the most creative green hero.
A few weeks ago Soil for Life founder and director Pat Featherstone visited and judged gardens in Lavender Hill, Retreat, Montagu Village, Steenberg, Mitchell’s Plain, Khayelitsha and Delft.
She said the gardeners impressed her with their creativity, entrepreneurial and unique garden plan and execution.
“Ms Abrahams has a garden deluxe. She mainly has vegetables growing but she has a definite eye for nature. The garden helps her a huge amount. She is totally creative. For her it is a wonderful experience and it gets her outdoors,” she said.
Mr Isaacs has engineered his garden to best use recycled goods and has a grey pit in his yard, around which various plants grow.
Ms Small may have a tiny space but has used it optimally to get out a good amount of food.
The next course starts in March next year and those interested should book in January by calling Ms Lewis on 073 159 2128.