March at VanZylStead eMagazine

Inside the VanZylStead March Digital Magazine, we cover:

This month, we dive into one of our favourite planting rituals: garlic. There is something deeply satisfying about planting garlic — placing each clove into the soil now, knowing it will quietly develop beneath the surface over the coming months. We walk you through exactly when to plant, how to prepare your soil, and how to give your garlic the strongest possible start.

We also explore one of the most powerful plants growing quietly in so many South African gardens — wilde als. This wonder herb has been used for generations, both medicinally and in the garden. We share how to grow it, how to use it, and why it remains one of the most valuable natural allies for plant health and pest management.

March is also a key planting month, and in this issue you’ll find detailed guidance on what to sow now — from winter vegetables and root crops to herbs that thrive in the cooler months. What you plant now sets the tone for your winter harvest.

As we prepare our beds, comfrey continues to play a central role in feeding and restoring our soil. We show you how we use comfrey tea as a natural fertiliser, strengthening plants, rebuilding fertility, and supporting the living ecosystem beneath the surface. Healthy soil is the heart of everything, and this simple practice makes an enormous difference.

Of course, no garden is ever without its challenges. As seasons shift, so do pest patterns. We share what to watch for this month, how to respond early, and how to work with nature to maintain balance rather than constantly fighting against it.