The 2015 Plant Fair, Feast of Fynbos, at The Stone Cottages, Kirstenbosch Drive, Newlands is a much awaited annual treat for indigenous gardening enthusiasts.
The Kirstenbosch Branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa invites gardening enthusiasts to feast on the flavours, textures, colours and smells of the indigenous plants of the fynbos biome.
The 2015 Plant Fair aims to highlight the role that indigenous plants can play in the recent trend of urban food gardening.
Many indigenous plants can be grown as food plants, or used as herbs to flavour food. Indigenous plants also provide food for the birds and insects that are beneficial to food gardens, attracting pollinators and increasing diversity in urban gardens. With the resurgence of interest in foraging and veldkos and the desire to live more locally and sustainably, our aim is to encourage gardeners to “eat your garden”. Many people have yet to realise how many of the indigenous plants already in their own gardens can be eaten or used to flavour dishes and drinks.
Exploring our natural edible plant realms is important not only for the protection of this indigenous knowledge, but also because it allows us to connect with and celebrate who and where we are as proud South Africans enjoying and experiencing our own unique flora.
One of Reliance Compost representatives, Darren, will be at the fair representing Reliance and he will talk to visitors about their compost, and there will also be compost available to purchase.
WHEN: Saturday 18 April: 09h00 to 16h00; Sunday 19 April: 09h00 to 13h00
WHERE: The Stone Cottages, Kirstenbosch Drive, Newlands
INFO: contact Sarah on .
Primarily a fundraiser for Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in conjunction with the Botanical Society, the Plant Fair offers the opportunity for both organisations to reach the broader public and promote their aims and mandates. One of these aims is to promote the conservation of indigenous plants through horticulture. Kirstenbosch achieves this through horticultural research and development.
