Here are the answers to our Instagram “Ask Me Anything” Friday!
You sent in your questions, and we’ve put together all the answers right here — from garden struggles to tips and personal favourites. Let’s get into it!
Q: Help!!! Slugs are eating my garden
A: Set beer traps tonight — bury a shallow dish of beer at soil level near affected plants. Slugs will crawl in and drown.
Sprinkle crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around plants to deter them. Use African wormwood tea as a natural spray. For severe cases, Ferramol pellets are pet-safe and effective as a last resort.
Q: Are you growing Garlic?
A: Yes, I am growing garlic — but it’s been a real struggle this season with all the rain. Rust keeps coming back no matter what I do. Next season, I’m planning to start it in my seedling room where I can control the humidity better and hopefully avoid the constant rust issues.
Q: When do you sow your sweet potato ‘seedlings’
A: I will plant sweet potato slips from late August to October, just before the spring heat kicks in. You can begin by placing a sweet potato in water or moist soil indoors to sprout. Once the slips are 15–20 cm long and have a few leaves, they’re ready to plant out in warm, well-drained soil. Warmer regions can start earlier; cooler areas might wait until early October.
Q: How is it going with your fitness
A:My fitness journey has been incredible! I’ve been weight training at Elevate Property for the past 7 weeks, and I’ve never felt stronger. As I get older, I’ve come to realize just how important strength training is — and as someone who had never lifted weights before, I’m honestly loving every minute of it.
Q: How are you dealing with all the rain?
A: When we planned our garden, we made sure to assess the drainage in every area. In spots where we noticed water pooling, we opted to grow in raised beds to keep plant roots above the saturation zone.
We also implemented a permaculture method called hugelkultur, combined with swales throughout the garden. We buried branches about 1 metre deep under our pathways — these act like giant sponges, soaking up all the excess rainwater. During the dry summer months, they slowly release that stored moisture back into the soil, keeping our plants hydrated naturally. It’s been a game changer for managing both heavy rain and drought!
Q: When should I prune my fruit trees
A: The best time to prune fruit trees in South Africa is during their dormant season, which is late winter (July to early August), just before new growth starts in spring. This helps shape the tree, remove dead or diseased wood, and encourage better fruit production.
Avoid heavy pruning in late summer or autumn, as it can stimulate new growth that’s vulnerable to winter damage. Always use clean, sharp tools and aim for an open shape to let sunlight and air through the branches.
Q: What can we plant in July
A: It’s still a cold month in many parts of South Africa, so always check for frost in your area before planting.
In frost-prone regions, stick to hardy crops like:
Spinach, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, Onions, garlic, leeks, Peas, broad beans, carrots, beetroot, Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli (in trays or direct)
In warmer, frost-free areas, you can also start sowing:
Tomatoes, peppers, chillies, and eggplants indoors or in a protected seedling space.
July is perfect for planning your spring garden while keeping cool-season crops going strong.
Q: How do you feed your garden
A: We focus on feeding the soil first to keep our garden thriving. Seasonally, we add compost to refresh the beds and boost microbial life. We also bury kitchen scraps directly into the soil, letting them break down naturally and enrich the ground over time.
For liquid nutrition, we make our own comfrey and yarrow teas. Comfrey is loaded with potassium for strong roots and fruiting, while yarrow supports plant health and resilience.
To keep things balanced, we also use Talborne Organics’ slow-release fertilizer, which provides steady, natural nutrition without the risk of burning. It’s a simple, layered approach that keeps our soil rich and our plants happy.
Q: Birds Birds Birds
A: Birds can be a real challenge, especially when they pull out seedlings or peck at ripening crops. Here’s how we keep them at bay:
We hang old CDs or reflective tape in the trees — the flashing reflections and movement help scare birds away naturally.
For veggie beds, we build simple bird netting tunnels using PVC arches.
Here’s how we make the arches:
Use 19mm or 25mm irrigation-grade PVC piping (available at most hardware stores).
Cut the pipe to the length you need, then push both ends into the soil or insert into short pieces of thicker pipe hammered into the ground.
Space arches about 1 metre apart along the bed.
Drape fine bird netting over the top and secure it to the ground with bricks, pegs, or clips to stop birds sneaking in underneath.
It’s a low-cost, reusable setup that protects your crops while still letting sunlight, rain, and airflow through.
Q: Is your boy in a mainstream school?
A: Not anymore — he’s now at a skills-based school in Durbanville called Hillview Academy. It’s been such a great fit for him. They focus on practical learning and offer subjects like Afrikaans, English, Maths (which he’s really strong in), as well as woodwork, tourism, and even cooking classes for young men.
He’s absolutely loving woodwork and is already convinced he’s going to start a woodworking business making cheeseboards — and honestly, we believe he will!
Q: Do you have indoor plants
A: Yes — I absolutely love indoor plants! It’s my favourite way to style my home. I’m the proud plant mamma of over 40 indoor plants, and I keep adding to my collection every month.
I mix things up with a variety of textures and sizes — from trailing pothos and string-of-pearls to big leafy monsters like fiddle leaf figs and monsteras. I style them on shelves, in macramé hangers, grouped in corners, and even in the bathroom where they love the humidity.
For me, plants aren’t just décor — they bring life, calm, and personality into every room.
Q: Why are my harvested veggies wilting so quickly
A: Great question! Homegrown veggies often don’t have the wax coatings or preservatives that store-bought ones do, which means they’re fresher but also more delicate.
If they’re wilting quickly, it could also be due to:
Harvesting at the wrong time — veggies last longer if picked in the early morning when they’re full of moisture.
Not cooling them down fast enough — store in a cool, shaded place or rinse and refrigerate soon after picking.
Lack of hydration — leafy greens especially benefit from being placed in water or wrapped in a damp cloth after harvest.
So while homegrown veggies are more natural, they need a bit more care right after harvesting to stay crisp and fresh!
In our latest members-only digital magazine, we share tips on how to store your winter crops properly — from keeping root veggies crisp to making your greens last longer without wilting.
Q: Can we come visit the garden
A: Yes, this October we’ll be hosting our Garden Days — and we’re always so excited to welcome you into the garden! It’s a wonderful time to connect, share tips and advice, and celebrate the joy of growing together.
If you’d like a personal tour, just let me know — I’d be happy to chat and arrange something special for you.
Q: Where in SA are you?
A: We’re based in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs, in Durbanville, just around the corner from Gene Louw Primary School.
Q: Will earthworms not eat my plants roots
A: No, earthworms won’t eat your plant roots. They feed on dead organic matter in the soil, not living plants. In fact, they’re great for your garden — they improve soil structure, boost drainage, and help nutrients reach your plants.
Q: Wat moet ek doen met oorskiet vleis. Kan dit in die kompos ingaan?
A: Nee, oorskiet vleis hoort nie in die gewone komposhoop nie, want dit kan plae lok en slegte reuke veroorsaak.
Jy kan dit egter in ‘n Bokashi-emmer sit. Bokashi is ‘n spesiale komposteerstelsel wat selfs vleis en suiwel kan hanteer deur ‘n fermentasieproses — perfek vir kombuisafval!
Q: What do you put in your bone broth that you cook
A: My bone broth is simple, nourishing, and full of garden goodness. I use:
Onions, carrots, garlic, and celery as the veggie base
Chicken or meat bones (leftover from meals or saved in the freezer)
A handful of fresh herbs from the garden like rosemary, thyme, oregano — and I always add yarrow for its healing properties and a few calendula petals for an extra immune boost and colour
I let it simmer low and slow for hours to draw out all the nutrients. It’s comforting, full of flavour, and packed with goodness straight from the garden and kitchen!
Q: Please explain companion planting. Is it not going to bring more unwanted insects
A: Actually, companion planting helps reduce unwanted insects rather than attract more! By mixing the right plants together, you can confuse pests, repel them naturally, or attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies that feed on garden pests.
For example, marigolds deter nematodes, basil keeps aphids away from tomatoes, and flowers like calendula attract predators that eat harmful bugs. It’s all about creating a balanced, biodiverse garden that protects itself naturally.
We absolutely love getting all your questions — so keep them coming!
Drop us a DM or leave a comment with what you’d like to know next, and we’ll include it in the next round.
As a VanZylSTead member, you get exclusive access to our free eBook and a new digital magazine every month — packed with tips, seasonal advice, and practical tools to help you grow a thriving veggie garden this season.
Not a member yet? Join us and let’s grow together!
Happy Gardening Friends
Tash & Family
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