Welcome to VanZylStead

….where urban homesteading meets the embrace of natural living. Nestled in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa, our homestead is a sanctuary of simplicity and sustainability.

We are firm believers in the power of returning to our roots, cultivating our own nourishment, and cherishing the bounties of nature. Guided by our faith and a deep reverence for the Earth, we strive to live harmoniously with our surroundings, embracing a lifestyle that is both gentle on the planet and enriching for our souls.

Join us on our journey as we share our passion for holistic health, organic gardening, and the pursuit of a simpler, more intentional way of life.

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Your guide to slow living

Meet the coffee snobs, who love the planet

Meet the coffee snobs, who love the planet

Meet the coffee snobs, who love the planet

October 1, 2024 | Meet an entrepreneur

What happens when a family of confessed coffee snobs who deeply love Nature decide to start a business? You get coffee pods that, when composted correctly, will break down into healthy soil within three months, leaving no trace and no plastic or aluminium behind!...

Meet The Almond Girl

Meet The Almond Girl

Meet The Almond Girl

September 18, 2024 | Meet a farmer

Meet Reni, from AMANTECO, a third generation family farm in Montagu. Reni started the brand "The Almond Girl", during covid, giving the consumer access to a locally produced and healthy Almond snack. It all started In 1974 with Rino Brochetto, who bought a piece of...

Using Rooibos Tea as Mulch

Using Rooibos Tea as Mulch

Using Rooibos Tea as Mulch

September 16, 2024 | Meet an entrepreneur

Rooibos tea - packed with health benefits and classified as a superfood, AND it is brilliant for your garden. Much has been said about the multiple health benefits of Rooibos or ‘red bush’ tea, derived from the unique herbal shrub native to the Western Cape region of...

More from our blog

tash_vanzyl

https://vanzylstead.com/product/garden-day/ *** D

https://vanzylstead.com/product/garden-day/

*** Durbanville, Cape Town ***

Come join us in the garden for a morning filled with fun and laughter, while enjoying local wine and tasting produce from local farmers!

The morning will include advice on

Pest and disease
Seed starting
Companion planting
Why plant flowers in the garden
DIY cleaning recipes

You will enjoy

Light lunch
Fresh bread
Cheese from local farmers
Wine and sparkling ice tea

We will have a Q & A session.

This is your opportunity to have ALL your questions answered!

Orchard update Planting flowers will invite benef

Orchard update

Planting flowers will invite beneficial insects that are vital for pollination and pest control

Raised beds from @birdies_sa
Seedling tent from @bellandpaton

#urbanhomestead
#backyardorchard
#permaculture

Update on the back garden ♡ #urbanhomestead #u

Update on the back garden ♡

#urbanhomestead
#urbanfarming

Raised beds are from @rainqueen_sa
Irrigation from @afriqwater_irrigation
Wood for raised bed @poleyard.co.za

Cutworms, primarily nocturnal pests, often target

Cutworms, primarily nocturnal pests, often target young plants. The toilet paper roll acts as a shield, creating a barrier that stops these pests from accessing and damaging the stem.

#cutworm
#naturalpestcontrol
#seedlings

The reason you should start growing your own food!

The reason you should start growing your own food!!!

Struggling to start? Do you not know how to start?

Let us come help you! For all those in Cape Town, book a garden consult today and let ys help you achieve your gardening goals

Need a compost bin for all the garden waste? @wegrow_za offer a great option

#start
#growingveggies

A front garden update! Irrigation from @afriqwate

A front garden update!

Irrigation from @afriqwater_irrigation

Rooibos mulch forms a crusty layer above the soil

Rooibos mulch forms a crusty layer above the soil after a few watering’s. This layer reduces water loss through evaporation and is thus ideal for reducing stress on young transplants and contributes to considerable water saving in gardens and pot plants.

10% – 15% better growth was observed on young plants when using the Rooibos mulch.

The mulch is a natural organic product and will not harm the environment – it is attractive and will not be blown away by wind once watered thoroughly.

Snails dislike the slightly sharp stalk edges – a good biological pest control.

It reduces germination of weeds by forming an insulating layer above the soil, thus facilitating cleaner seedbeds and pot plants.

The leachate, which is low in tannins, is beneficial to plant and root development. Rooibos tea has been used by gardeners since Grandma ́s days for maintaining healthy growth.

Mixed with potting soil, it provides an excellent growing medium – light and well drained.

If you are not using mulch in your garden, you need to start today! Using Rooibos Mulch protects your soil, feeds your soil, smells nice, and the red colour adds a great contrast to your garden.

Contact Bernie Fernandes 061 5143 508 and get your RBM today still. Follow them on Instagram

@rooibosmulch

Thinning out vegetables is a vital part of getting

Thinning out vegetables is a vital part of getting a good harvest, but one that many people forget to do. Carrots definitely need it if they are to develop strong, long roots.

Carrots like a sun and light, well-drained soil. If your soil is stony, shallow or heavy clay, you may end up with stunted or forked carrots.

Use the thinned out carrots as microgreens in your salad or on sandwiches.

#carrots

And some days we just plant strawberries and talk!

And some days we just plant strawberries and talk! Make quality time in all that you do ♡

#family
#qualitytime

COMPANION PLANTING: the close planting of differe

COMPANION PLANTING: the close planting of different plants that enhance each other's growth or protect each other from pests. Plants that can be used to fill space between friends and foes. So, just because two plants are not beneficial to each other does not mean you can't have both in your garden.

Loving the variety of seeds @rawlivingsa has available this season

#tomatoes
#beans
#basil

We are growing the Mondial Variety. This is a ver

We are growing the Mondial Variety.

This is a very high-yielding variety. Its growth period is early to medium (90 days) and the plant has few white flowers.
If you live in an area that receives frost, plant potatoes from August - December. In areas without frost, planting of potatoes can begin as early as June.

Potatoes always do best in full sun. They are aggressively rooting plants, and we find that they will produce the best crop when planted in a light, loose, well-drained soil

Raised beds are from @birdies_sa

#potatoes
#mondial

RAW rocks the garden with 10 new seed products, so

RAW rocks the garden with 10 new seed products, so get ready to unleash your garden’s wild side - IT’S COMPETITION TIME! 🎸🌱

Hashtag for the giveaway is #ItsGrowTime

PRIZE: Stand a chance to win 2 tickets to the hottest night of Calabash 2025, featuring live performances by Green Day, The Offspring, and Fokofpolisiekar.

TO ENTER:

*Follow RAW on Facebook and Instagram.
*Purchase any 3 packets of RAW seeds.
*DM us a picture of your receipt, with the date visible.
*Share this post to your story and tag your concert wingman for a bonus entry.

Winners announced on 29th November.

Follow @rawlivingsa for more details

#ItsGrowTime

This is 100% PURE, ORGANIC & UNREFINED sheabutter

This is 100% PURE, ORGANIC & UNREFINED sheabutter Experience the healing power of shea butter in its most natural form.

HIGH IN VITAMINS A & E, these essential nutrients work in harmony to rejuvenate and restore your skin and hair.

This Sheabutter has a rich and creamy texture. It very easily melts into your face, body, or hair, providing deep nourishment and protection.

This powerful moisturiser protects and nourishes dry, damaged skin. Pure enough for baby too!

@soilorganic

#sheabutter
#naturalskincare
#vitamina
#vitamine

Recycling food and other organic waste into compos

Recycling food and other organic waste into compost provides a range of environmental benefits, including improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling nutrients, and mitigating the impact of droughts.

YOU CAN FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE FROM YOUR BACK GARDEN!

@wegrow_za

#compost

Taking the day and strolling around my favourite p

Taking the day and strolling around my favourite place in Cape Town.

@babylonstoren

#family
#familytime

There are so many benefits in having a veggie gar

There are so many benefits in having a veggie garden at home.

1. You save money.
2. Less Waste. You o ly pick what you need
3. Fresh Food. Fresh always tastes better
4. Knowing Where Your Food Came From. You have control of what chemicals have gone onto your food
5. Connection with Nature. Growing according to the season, seeing how the garden grows will give you a great appreciation for your food.
6. Self-Accomplishment and A Learning Environment for Your Kids.

Start today!!!

#veggie
#growyourownfood
#nomorelawns

I am totally in love with this new range from @raw

I am totally in love with this new range from @rawlivingsa

Tips on growing chilies

* Sow in spring and summer, min temp 20C
* Sow in full sun: 2-3 plants per container or 40 x 40cm in the ground.
* Seeds will germinate in 7-20 days and grow to 50-60cm
* Chillies prefer well drained soil
* Harvest in 120-160 days

Seeds are available at all major garden centers. These varieties we got from @stodelsnursery

Remember to sit and be grateful for that, that you

Remember to sit and be grateful for that, that you have.....

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Blessed Sunday friends ♡

#greatfull

The Birdies Garden Bed, known as the Original Modu

The Birdies Garden Bed, known as the Original Modular Raised Bed, was the first of its kind in the market, innovated and designed by Simon Bird and Neill Bosch.

The beds are made with BlueScope AluZinc steel with a powder coated textile, which ensures longevity and durability, making sure that your Birdies Garden Bed withstands the elements for decades to come.

We have a 5% discount code vanzylstead05

Get your beds here
https://www.birdiesgardenproducts.co.za/
@birdies_sa

#raisedbeds

Spring is finally in Cape Town In the words of Ra

Spring is finally in Cape Town

In the words of Ralph Emerson, "The earth laughs in flowers"

It has been a long wet and cold winter, but spring is here.

Happy Planting Friends

#spring

Spekboom has many benefits Sucking a leaf to quen

Spekboom has many benefits

Sucking a leaf to quench thirst, treat exhaustion, dehydration, and heatstroke.
Using crushed leaves to provide relief for blisters.
Chewing leaves can treat a sore throat and mouth infections.
Juiced leaves are used as an antiseptic and to soothe skin ailments such as pimples, rashes, insect stings, and sunburn.

Hectare for hectare, Spekboom thicket is ten times more effective than the Amazon rainforest at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One hectare of Spekboom can sequester between 4 and 10 tonnes of carbon per year. This makes it a powerful tool in the fight against climate change and the move towards a zero-carbon world.

#spekboom
#carbon
#fence

My preferred bean to grow is Contender bush beans.

My preferred bean to grow is Contender bush beans.

This bush Bean variety is known for its heavy yield of straight, round, tender, and flavourful green beans that are typically 12-15cm in length.

When planting Bush Bean Contender seeds, it is recommended to sow them directly into the garden soil after the last frost date in your area. They require full sun exposure and well-draining soil with regular watering.

During the season, the more you harvest beans, the more the plants will flower, increasing your yield

Irrigation from @afriqwater_irrigation

#bushbeans
#spring
#beans

How do I make Nettle feriliser? * Fill a large bu

How do I make Nettle feriliser?

* Fill a large bucket or bin with nettle leaves and stems, bruising the foliage first. Weigh down the nettles with a brick or paving stone, or something similar.
* Fill three-quarters of the bucket with water to allow room for the foam that will be created during the brewing process.
* Leave for 3 – 4 weeks to brew, stirring every couple of days. It is going ti stink!
* Once brewed, dilute the nettle concentrate 1:10 parts water.

Use a watering can to feed the fertilizer to your plants.
Top off the nettle liquid throughout the year by adding more leaves and water. At the end of the growing season, simply add the nettle dregs to the compost bin, then start again in Spring.

#stingingnettle
#fertiliser
#herbaltea

The container mix needs to retain moisture but als

The container mix needs to retain moisture but also needs to drain so the roots don’t sit in wet soil.

1-part pre-soaked coco peat
1-part vermiculite
2-part nutrient-rich compost
½ part topsoil
1 part slow release Fertilizer

**Add this only at the top of the container once you have planted your seedlings. When you water them, the fertilizer will go down to the roots**

The soil in the containers will become more compact over time. It is time to change the soil when it no longer retains moisture.
Add the container soil to the compost bin/pile and fill your container with the compost mix.

Frequent watering leaches nutrients out of container soil, therefore, feed frequently.
We feed every second week with a dilute compost or worm tea solution

Slow release fertiliser from @talborneorganics
Buy vermiculite and perlite from @grow_folk
#containergardening
#fertiliser
#howtofillcontainers
#vanzylstead

Get your soil blocks maker @living_seeds Soil bl

Get your soil blocks maker @living_seeds

Soil blocks create a good environment for a seedling's roots to 'air prune'. This basically means the root hairs stop trying to grow out and instead bulk up closer to the plant.

A seedling that's being grown in a soil block doesn't have to be pushed or pulled to come out of its container because its entire container can be planted. That means it'll face a much smoother transition when it's time to be moved. Overall, these seedlings will be healthier than those grown in cell trays.

Using soil blocks, you will use less plastic.

#soilblocks

Biochar is a black carbon product that helps impr

Biochar is a black carbon product that helps improve soil fertility and plant growth in your garden. It is a charcoal-like product made by burning organic material (also called biomass) in a controlled process called pyrolysis. Although it looks like ordinary charcoal, biochar is produced using a specific method to reduce contamination and safely store carbon.

Our preferred drip irrigation is from @afriqwater_irrigation

#biochar
#raisedbeds

Good morning, world!!! What a beautiful time of t

Good morning, world!!!

What a beautiful time of the day. Birds are awake, the sun is rising, and new possibilities are waiting!

#anewday

Walk with me through the back garden Book your sp

Walk with me through the back garden

Book your spot for the garden day on

https://vanzylstead.com/product/garden-day/

** Durbanville, Cape Town *** Come join us in the

** Durbanville, Cape Town ***

Come join us in the garden for a morning filled with fun and laughter while enjoying local wine and tasting produce from local farmers!

The morning will include advice on

*Pest and disease
*Seed starting
*Companion planting
*Why plant flowers in the garden
*DIY cleaning recipes

You will enjoy

Light lunch
Fresh bread
Cheese from local farmers
Wine and sparkling ice tea
We will have a Q & A session. This is your opportunity to have ALL your questions answered!

I look forward to having you in the garden!

Bookings on https://vanzylstead.com/product/garden-day/

#gardentour
#howtogarden
#howtogrowvegetables

Wilde Als is a must-have for the garden, be it orn

Wilde Als is a must-have for the garden, be it ornamental, medicinal, herb or veggie garden, not only because of its attractive feathery grey foliage, but also for its strong smell, which acts as a deterrent against flies, ants, mosquitoes, beetles and caterpillars – even dogs will avoid beds planted with wild wormwood

#naturalpestcontrol
#africanwormwood
#pestcontrol

Mulch mulch mulch!! Why? It helps retain moisture

Mulch mulch mulch!! Why?

It helps retain moisture in the soil for longer. Mulch prevents evaporation by shielding the soil from the sun. It also reduces water run-off during rain or watering. This reduces the amount of water needed.

It assists in regulating soil temperature, keeping roots consistently cool in summer and warm in winter.

Soil is often washed away by rainwater, but mulch can prevent this. Mulch protects the soil by breaking the flow of water and minimizing the force when water impacts the ground. It acts as a shield, which helps keep your landscape in place and finally prevents soil erosion.

A layer of mulch naturally helps prevent weeds from sprouting by blocking their growth and access to sunlight.

Mulches made from other organic materials improve the soil as they break down. Microbes and insects in the soil naturally consume the mulch over time, adding the by-products back to the soil in the form of organic matter.

#mulch
#driedleaves
#savewater
#sustainable

NOW is the time to start planting your garden. NO

NOW is the time to start planting your garden.
NOW is the time to get your seeds and seedlings in the soil.

Find a spot in your garden that gets 6 - 8 hours of sunlight, prepare a garden bed with a high quality soil, and plant!

Trust me, it's a good feeling serving a salad, and you can say, "I grew this!"

#growfood
#growyourownfood
#food
#urbanhomestead

It's spring in Cape Town! Enjoy moments in the ga

It's spring in Cape Town!

Enjoy moments in the garden with us as we walk around being grateful for all the rain we had, but loving the sun, exited about a new growing season and overflowing with gratitude for all the support we are getting from our followers.

Happy planting friends!

All irrigation from @afriqwater_irrigation. Watering the garden has never been this easy!

#vanzylstead
#growfood
#moments

Wood ash is a great source of Potassium. Potassium

Wood ash is a great source of Potassium. Potassium aids photosynthesis, which helps tomato plants turn light into energy, that aid strong, healthy growth and more blooms.
Wood ash also happens to contain magnesium, phosphorous and other trace nutrients that tomato plants love as well. Ahs increase the soil's ability to retain moisture.

Using toilet paper rolls as protective collars is an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable method to combat cutworm threats.

#tomatoplanting
#protectfromcutworm
#howtogarden
#howtomakeavegetablegarden

We are here to help you start a veggie garden, ext

We are here to help you start a veggie garden, extend your veggie garden, or help you maintain your patch.

We do not build the gardens, but we equip you with the knowledge and offer continued support to get you from a dull space to a productive veggie garden.

Go on, book your garden consult on
www.vanzylstead/com

Getting kids out into nature does not always have

Getting kids out into nature does not always have to mean hard-core adventures.

Through the years, some of our favourite chats, skills training, expanding vocabulary, and simple family time happened in the garden!

Harvesting, planting, or just enjoying the wonder of seeing nature move and grow is an adventure in itself

#food
#adventure
#wonderofnature

How is it that a cauliflower head can make me so

How is it that a cauliflower head can make me so happy!!!

It is time to start saying goodbye to all the brassica's for the season. Soon, we will have juicy and delicious tomatoes hanging. I can't WAIT!

Brassica's are heavy feeders. Before I plant in this soil again, I will top it with a layer of compost, and I will add a slow release fertiliser to give the soil a boost

I always prefer using @talborneorganics as a slow release fertiliser

#cauliflower
#fertiliser

Cutworms are especially troublesome in sandy soils

Cutworms are especially troublesome in sandy soils and home gardens. They are both foliage and root/tuber-feeders. Although they damage plants in various ways, they most commonly sever stems completely near the soil surface, hence their vernacular name. Seedlings are particularly vulnerable because one cutworm may topple several in an evening. Larvae can usually be found at the base of affected plants, just below the soil surface at a depth of not more than 50 mm. They will also feed on roots of plants if encountered; some larvae burrow even deeper and will attack tubers by chewing deep holes into them.

Cutworms do not move from plant to plant underground. They emerge at night and crawl along the soil surface to find plants, after which they burrow into the soil next to the plant stem

I will be using @talborneorganics Vita Veg during the season to fertilise the cucumbers

#cucumbers
#cutworms
#cutwormdefence
#naturalpestcontrol
#organic
#organicpestcontrol

It's not always only success in the garden! Garli

It's not always only success in the garden!

Garlic growing in winter, in Cape Town is tough!

Irrigation is from @afriqwater_irrigation

#garlic
#rust
#food
#spring

GMO Genetic modification of plants involves addi

GMO

Genetic modification of plants involves adding a specific stretch of DNA into the plant's genome, giving it new or different characteristics. This could include changing the way the plant grows, or making it resistant to a particular disease.

Hybrid

The seeds obtained by artificial pollination (cross pollination) are called hybrid seeds. The plants obtained from these seeds are called hybrid plants. These plants are developed to obtain desired qualities like high yield, disease resistance.
You should not keep seeds for the next season

Heirloom

Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated. Open pollination is a process in which the pollen is released on the ground via birds, breeze, or insects. These seeds then grow into plants they came from, having the same characteristics as their parent plant.

#seeds
#GMO
#Hybrid
#Heirloom

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