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

Day 7 and 8

Day 7 and 8

December 3, 2024 | 100 days of health, Challenges

Yesterday, we had a lovely hiking adventure at Silvermine! Although there was no cell reception to document our journey, we truly enjoyed a relaxing stroll. The highlight for the kids was definitely playing in the refreshing water—such a joyful sight! If you find...

Day 5 and 6

Day 5 and 6

December 3, 2024 | 100 days of health, Challenges

Wow, it's hard to believe I've been walking every day for six incredible days, and I absolutely love it! This morning, I was determined not to repeat yesterday's little adventure of getting lost, which added some unexpected distance to my journey. Today, though, it’s...

Day 3 and 4

Day 3 and 4

November 28, 2024 | 100 days of health, Challenges

What’s the deal with the weather in Cape Town? I’ve been walking in the gentle drizzle for the past two mornings. The air is fresh and invigorating, which clears my mind and reminds me how fortunate we are to have rain while staying in one of the most stunning cities...

More from our blog

tash_vanzyl

LET'S GROW GREENBEANS • Variety is bush beans,

LET'S GROW GREENBEANS

• Variety is bush beans, Contender
• Good Companion for heavy feeders
• Bad Companion for Onions
• Great sor succession planting
• Good gap filler

Get your seeds from @rawlivingsa and @kirchhoffsseeds

#greenbeans
#food
#successionplanting

The side shoots of a strawberry plant are called r

The side shoots of a strawberry plant are called runners, and they are a natural way for strawberry plants to spread
Runners are horizontal stems that grow along the ground from the main plant, and each runner has a tiny plant at its end. The tiny plant, called a "daughter" plant, can grow roots and become a new plant.
You can pin runners into the ground using garden wire, hairpins, or cloche pegs. You can also pin them into small pots filled with compost. Once the roots have grown into the pot, you can cut the runner from the main plant.

#food
#strawberries
#selfsufficient

We all should make better choices daily. Companies

We all should make better choices daily.
Companies like @evolve_biodegradable have made it easy and convenient to rid your home of daily chemicals

www.evolvebiodegradable.co.za

#biodegradable
#health
#holistic

Moments day 3 of a 100 day of health. The human

Moments day 3 of a 100 day of health.

The human race can disgust me!

This dam was cleaned only a few days ago. What a selfish act it is to pollute!
We all want a beautiful environment, and we all worry about pollution and what plastics are doing not only to the environment but also to our health.

There will always be the idiots who only think about themselves and not consider the consequences.

Bad on you! YOU are not only making our area look bad, but YOU are poisoning the dam, YOU are sending microplastics into the environment! YOU ARE A SELFISH IDIOT

100 days of health is sponsored by @organicchoicesa

#pollution
#selfish

Why grow your own veg? My biggest driving force f

Why grow your own veg?

My biggest driving force for growing my own veg is the nutritional value of the food.

Soil that is nutrient depleted will produce vegetables that do not have the full nutritional value that you would expect.

I believe that food is medicine, but food can only be medicine if your soil is healthy and you can produce food that is packed with high nutritional value.

When you go to your local grocery, you do not know where your veggies are grown or what was put in the soil. Can you say for certain that your veggies are high in nutrients?

#food
#vegetables
#nutrientrich

Products and Services • Greenhouses and Grow Tun

Products and Services
• Greenhouses and Grow Tunnels in various sizes
• Vertical gardens
• Customised structures
• Raised vegetable beds
• Seedlings, seedling trays, compost etc
• Grow bags and small accessories like tomato trailing twine and clips
• Weed suppressing ‘mats’
• Assistance with irrigation, ‘climate control’ components (extraction fans, wet walls etc) and automation
• Installation, breakdown, repairing or repurposing of structures
• Landscaping
Get in Touch

With numerous successful installations and positive client testimonials, Greenroots SA is ready to help you start your gardening journey. Contact them today to learn more about their services and how they can assist you in achieving a greener lifestyle.

Email: natalie@greenroots-sa.co.za
Phone/Whatsapp: Natalie @ 072 996 9536

@greenrootssa

#growsolutions
#growtunnels
#,greenhouses

Walk with me through the orchard #gardentour #ga

Walk with me through the orchard

#gardentour
#gardeninspiration
#food

Take a walk with me through the front garden #gar

Take a walk with me through the front garden

#gardenwalk
#gardentour
#food

Join me for a walk in the back garden #gardenwalk

Join me for a walk in the back garden

#gardenwalk

The simple things in life are the most beautiful ♡♡

Some of my top tips growing veggies 1. MULCH 2.

Some of my top tips growing veggies

1. MULCH
2. LOOK AT HOW YOU WATER
3. PLANT ACCORDING TO THE SEASON
4. YOUR PLANTS WILL NEED 6 TO 8 HOURS OF SUNLIGHT
5. ONLY GROW WHAT YOU ENJOY EATING

Irrigation from @afriqwater_irrigation

#veggiegarden
#food
#howtogrowfood

Benefits of chop and drop *Mimics natural process

Benefits of chop and drop

*Mimics natural processes
Chop and drop mimics what happens naturally in the environment, where dead plant material breaks down and feeds soil life.
*Releases nutrients
As the green waste breaks down, it releases nutrients into the soil, providing a natural fertilizer for plants.
*Promotes a healthy ecosystem
The chop and drop method can create a healthier, more sustainable garden ecosystem.
*Suppresses weeds
The mulch created by chop and drop can suppress weed growth.
*Helps retain moisture
The mulch created by chop and drop can help retain moisture by reducing evaporation.

#chopanddrop
#buildsoil
#food

Best pest control? #tomatoes #worms #pestcontro

Best pest control?

#tomatoes
#worms
#pestcontrol

Shredded leaves and grass clipping will protect my

Shredded leaves and grass clipping will protect my soil through the growing season; but by the time the season is waning and it's time to amend with compost, most of those small mulch fragments have broken down into a soil-like material.

It reduces exposure to wind, which results in less moisture loss through evaporation.

It promotes good root growth by retaining moisture in the root zone.

It suppresses weed growth by keeping out the light.

It prevents soil from being washed away from around plants during heavy rainstorms by softening the impact of the falling water and slowing it down so that it can soak into the soil before running off.

#mulch
#buildsoil
#veggiegarden

Yes, jojoba oil can be used as an eye makeup remov

Yes, jojoba oil can be used as an eye makeup remover:

Natural alternative:
Jojoba oil is a natural, non-stinging, and non-allergenic
option for removing makeup

Effective:
Jojoba oil's chemical composition is similar to the natural sebum produced by the skin, so it can break down makeup and attract oils.

Gentle:
Jojoba oil is suitable for sensitive skin.

Versatile:
Jojoba oil can also be used as a pre-cleansing oil, body oil, cuticle oil, and hand and foot moisturizer.

Get your jojoba oil from @soilorganic

#jojobaoil
#naturalskincare
#health

I prefer sowing Contender bush beans every season.

I prefer sowing Contender bush beans every season.
They are a great companion to all my heavy feeders, and they are one of the most productive plant every season.

#bushbeans
#companionplanting

Tomatillos have a long growing season, they can be

Tomatillos have a long growing season, they can be started indoors up to eight weeks before the last frost date

Plant from August to January

Tomatillos enjoy the warmth and won’t grow well in cool temperatures.

Tomatillos are ripe when the fruit is firm and fills the papery husk.

Get your Tomatillo seeds from @rawlivingsa

#tomatillo
#salsa
#food

Start with organic, certified disease-free seed po

Start with organic, certified disease-free seed potatoes

Only small, golf ball-sized potatoes should be planted hole.
Cut large tubers into pieces so that each segment has two or three "eyes" (the little bumps from which sprouts emerge, as shown in the photo).

Plant seed potato eyes up

Because the potatoes grow on tubers from the main stem, hill them

Harvest when the foilage of the plants have died

DISCOUNT code for your @birdies_sa raised beds vanzylstead05

#growpotatoes
#potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A and are a low

Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A and are a low GI carbohydrate source. But best of all: growing sweet potato is easy.

They do not need very fertile soil. They are quite drought resistant, and they crowd out weeds. They are fairly resistant to pests and diseases, although one must take care to use virus free vines.

The flesh of sweet potatoes can vary from cream to deep orange, while the skins can be red, purple, maroon, or copper coloured.

When sprouts are 25 – 30 cm long, break them off and use them for planting.

Each sprout is planted by covering it for at least half its length with moist soil.

Planting can take place from October to December, and they can be harvested after three to five months, depending on the cultivar.

#sweetpotato
#backyardveggies
#food

Forget about the spacing rule when growing veggies

Forget about the spacing rule when growing veggies in your back garden. As long as you keep your plants trimmed and allowing good air flow, you will be able to grow more veggies than you might think

We will fertilise our beds often with both @talborneorganics and liquid comfrey and Yarrow fertiliser

#cucumber
#food
#gardeningtips
#howtoplantveggies

Why do we prune our tomatoes? Fewer diseases: Kee

Why do we prune our tomatoes?

Fewer diseases: Keeping plants off the ground reduces the risk of fungal diseases like early blight and anthracnose.

Easier to manage: Pruned plants are easier to support with a stake, and you can plant them closer together because they grow more vertically.

Easier to harvest: The fruit is easier to reach when there are fewer leaves in the way.

Less flower loss: In windy conditions, the leaves knock off many of the tomato flowers, causing you to have a smaller yield.

#tomatoes
#howtoprunetomatoes
#urbanfarming
##urbanhomestead

Book your garden consult www.vanzylstead.com #s

Book your garden consult

www.vanzylstead.com

#startgrowingfood
#food
#sustainable

Succession planting is a gardening technique that

Succession planting is a gardening technique that involves planting new crops in a garden to ensure a continuous harvest. It's a way to make the most of limited space and extend the growing season.

Plant new seeds or seedlings at different times so that you have a constant supply of produce. For example, you can plant early crops like radishes, bush beans, or lettuce, and then replace them with other vegetables once they've matured.

#successionplanting
#beans
#bushbeans
#food
#sustainable

When planning your veggie garden, is it important

When planning your veggie garden, is it important to consider these 4 points.

1. Sunshine fruit bearing crops need 6 - 8 hours of sunligth
2. Watering - think convenience. Life is busy, and your garden needs water
3. What will you be planting - Think of your space and shade that the plants might cast
4. Wind - Wind can be very damaging to your plants. consider building a fence, a trellis to grow veggies on, or even a row of pots

#veggiegardens
#startgrowingfood
#food

Meet Jack and Jill ♡ #birds #safe

Meet Jack and Jill ♡

#birds
#safe

“We think Rum is definitely on the way up. Ther

“We think Rum is definitely on the way up. There is still much work to be done to educate the public on the various styles of Rum and what good Rum really is and can be. Here in SA especially, we have only ever really been exposed to the sub-standard, mass-produced adulterated spirits masquerading as Rum”

Sugar Baron Single Estate Craft Rum is one of only a handful of distilleries in South Africa that produce rum in the Agricole Style. They offer visits to their distillery in Richmond so you can get a true taste of Sugar Baron’s hospitality.

Visit their website at www.sugarbaron.co.za and be ready to discover a LOCAL rum that is made in a style that is only used by 3% of all the rums in the world!

Another Proudly South African Product!!

#meetafarmer
#craftrum
#Rum

@sugarbaroncraftdistillery

A simple yet effective effective way for you to pr

A simple yet effective effective way for you to protect your veggies against birds, insects, harsh summer sun, wind, and heavy down pours.

#veggie
#veggiepatch
#growfoodnotlawns
#food

Save those toilet paper rolls. Use them as collar

Save those toilet paper rolls. Use them as collars around young seedlings to keep cutworms, slugs, and snails at bay.

It's an easy, eco-friendly solution and economical

#food
#pestcontrol
#cutworms

Soil blocking is a seed-starting technique that in

Soil blocking is a seed-starting technique that involves compressing a special soil mixture into cubes to grow seedlings in:
Soil blocking has several advantages over traditional methods, including:

Air pruning
Roots grow out to the drier, airier edges of the block, which triggers the plant to send out more roots. This process increases the amount of oxygen available to the roots, which can lead to healthier seedlings.

Less transplant shock
Plants with air-pruned roots are less likely to experience transplant shock when they are moved to a new location

Eco-friendly
Soil blocks reduce the amount of waste and expense associated with plastic pots and cell trays.

Reusable
Soil blocks can be used over and over again.

#seedstarting

Soil blocking available at @living_seeds

Growing tips Sunlight: Strawberries need full sun

Growing tips

Sunlight:
Strawberries need full sun to produce the best fruit, but they can tolerate part-shade.

Mulching:
A thick layer of mulch helps to conserve water, regulate temperature, suppress weeds, and keep the roots cool. It also keeps the fruit off the ground, where it can be damaged by insects and pathogens

Feeding:
They are heavy feeders. Feed with Talbourne Fruit and Flower to promote more flowers and fruits @talborneorganics

Watering:
They have shallow roots, so constant watering is required for fruit setting

Raised beds are from @rainqueen_sa
Irrigation from @afriqwater_irrigation

#strawberries
#tips

Comfrey and Yarrow Perennial plants that can be u

Comfrey and Yarrow

Perennial plants that can be used to make a liquid fertilizer called "comfrey or yarrow tea"

How to make tea:

Steep comfrey leaves in water for at least 6 weeks to infuse the water with nutrients. The longer the leaves steep, the more potent the fertilizer will be. Dilute the solution with water and apply it to your garden with a watering can.

Other uses for comfrey and Yarrow: You can also chop comfrey leaves and mix them with grass cuttings to create a mulch that will help control weeds and retain moisture. You can also bury the leaves in compost or add them to a leafmould heap.

#fertiliser
#comfrey
#yarrow

How do you invite these bad boys into the garden?

How do you invite these bad boys into the garden?
One answer! FLOWERS, and with planning, you can create an environment for all these beneficial insects and have cut flowers.

These are my Top 10 flowers to add to your garden. They are easy to grow, will give your garden a pop of colour, and will attract beneficial insects.

Sunflowers
Zinnia
Cosmos
Poppies
Asters
Calendula
Marigold
Yarrow
Bachelor’s button
Queen Anne’s Lace

#naturalpestcontrol

Walk with us through the back garden. We are avai

Walk with us through the back garden.

We are available for veggie patch garden consults.
Irrigation from @afriqwater_irrigation

#gardentour
#sustainable
#food
#community

Front garden update! We offer veggie garden consu

Front garden update!

We offer veggie garden consults to help you on your journey to have success in your veggie garden

Irrigation from @afriqwater_irrigation

#howtogrowvegetables
#growfood
#food

Is nature not just amazing? If you start and you a

Is nature not just amazing? If you start and you are consistent, you WILL get to that sweet spot where you do not have to buy certain veggies.

God made nature to provide us with an abundance of food. We all just need to be taught how to tap into nature again.

#foodforthefuture
#foodforever
#systainable
#vanzylstead

Why compost at home? *Reduces waste: Composting

Why compost at home?

*Reduces waste:
Composting reduces the amount of food scraps, yard trim, and other materials that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators.

*Protects the climate:
Composting reduces methane emissions from landfills, which contribute to global warming.

*Improves soil:
Compost is a valuable soil amendment that can help retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, and improve plant growth.

*Reduces need for chemical fertilizers:
Compost can help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

*Controls what you put in the soil:
Composting allows you to control what you put into the soil where you grow your food.

*Fun:
Composting can be a fun way to recycle and manage waste more sustainably.

The two bins that we are using are from

@earthagainco
@wegrow_za

#urbanfarming
#compost
#sustainable

Message me or hop onto the website. Read through t

Message me or hop onto the website. Read through the reviews and book us TODAY for your veggie patch consult.

With healthy soil, enough water, 6 to 8 hours of s

With healthy soil, enough water, 6 to 8 hours of sunlight, and enough food for the plant to grow strong, you will be able to grow tomatoes successfully at home.

If your plant is healthy, they will be able to fight off any diseases and bugs

Pruning your bushes throughout the season will allow for good airflow, and this will help to prevent any fungal diseases.

@talborneorganics is our preferred commercial fertiliser. They are certified organic, and it is a slow release fertiliser, meaning you only feed your plants once every 4 months!

@afriqwater_irrigation is our preferred supplier of drip irrigation

#tomatoes
#food
#summerveggies

The basic recipe that we use for our bathroom clea

The basic recipe that we use for our bathroom cleaner is

500ml bottle

200ml 70% Ethanol @reflecta_laboratory_supplies
2tbsp castile soap @essentiallynatural.co.za
10 drops lemon essential oil @soilorganic
10 drops orange essential oil @soilorganic

Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% Ethanol is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria.

#lesschemicals
#ethanol
#essentialoils
#home

Bees are the main pollinators of cucumbers, especi

Bees are the main pollinators of cucumbers, especially honey bees. They transfer pollen from male flowers to female flowers as they collect nectar. A female flower needs 8–12 pollinator visits in a single day to produce fruit

Plant Zinnia, Sunflowers, Lavender, Cosmos to invite pollinators to your garden

#cucumbers
#food
#bees

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