Free growing library
Practical help for South African home gardeners—from opening a seed packet to settling a young courier plant into its new home.
Browse products & individual guides →Start here
Every product in the shop has a free guide button with information chosen for that variety. This library covers the most important principles and will keep growing as new seeds, plants and farm products are added.
A practical South African guide to sowing, transplanting and caring for ashwagandha from seed.
Read the guide →Free guideWhat to sow in September in South Africa, with advice for frost, heat and regional differences.
Read the guide →Free guideStep-by-step kiwi berry cold stratification, sowing and seedling care.
Read the guide →Free guideUseful traditional herb-garden plants for South African homes, with responsible safety advice.
Read the guide →Free guideHow suitable bare-root plants are prepared and how to help them recover after delivery.
Read the guide →Free guideA beginner guide to resting, setting, turning, candling and hatching Rhode Island Red eggs.
Read the guide →Free guideA practical guide to sowing and growing toothache plant, Acmella oleracea, in South African gardens.
Read the guide →Free guideHow to plant, feed, divide and protect lemongrass in South African gardens and containers.
Read the guide →Free guideA simple seed-starting guide covering sowing depth, moisture, light, warmth and transplanting.
Read the guide →Free guideChoose and care for useful culinary and aromatic herbs in containers in South African conditions.
Read the guide →Start with clean seedling mix, the correct sowing depth and gentle moisture. Small seed is usually surface-sown or only lightly covered, while larger seed can be planted deeper. Check each product’s individual guide for stratification, soaking or warmth requirements.
Unpack courier plants promptly and allow them to recover in bright shade. Water only when needed, protect them from strong wind and midday sun, and gradually introduce them to their final position over several days.
Plant bare-root plants soon after arrival in lightly moist soil. Keep the roots from drying out, firm the soil gently and let the plant rest in a sheltered position while it establishes. Temporary leaf drop can happen after transport.
Some perennials naturally lose leaves or visible top growth in winter. Keep the root area lightly moist rather than waterlogged, protect it from severe conditions and allow the plant time to wake when temperatures and day length improve.
Let couriered eggs rest pointed-end down before incubation. Use a clean, stable incubator, reliable temperature and humidity instruments, and prepare the brooder before hatch day. Transport and incubation conditions affect hatch results.
Learn about culinary, aromatic, ornamental and traditional garden uses. Plant-use information is educational, not medical advice. Check identity carefully and consult a qualified professional before medicinal use.
Find a specific guide
The product guide includes variety-specific starting steps, useful reasons to grow it and important care notes.