GEORGE NEWS - There is huge excitement about the reaction that the organisers of the Blanco gardening competition have received - more than 50 gardens have been entered to date.

Kos and Fynbos, a recently established food security and local economy initiative in George, announced the competition last year and the George Herald has introduced a number of the entrants in previous issues. Andrew Mugford, of Permaculture South Africa, who is closely involved in the project, in this article introduces one of the main role players in the competition and gives a short overview of companion planting.

Eve Stoffels is a well-known figure in the Blanco community and one of the main instigators of the Kos and Fynbos movement. She was delighted to hear that more than 50 entries had been received to date for the gardening competition - proof that her hard work to get more locals involved in this initiative is paying off.

Eve's own garden, complete with chickens that help control pests, is a showcase of mixed planting and diversity. "Nature loves diversity," says Eve. In her garden you will, for instance, find maize, squash and beans planted in and amongst each other.
I share this view on diversity and variety in planting. One of the easiest ways to get the yields of a diverse home or farm environment is to apply the companion planting techniques to fruit tree orchards, vegetable gardens as well as to your flower garden.

Companion planting is applied by using the natural characteristics of certain plant groupings, which assist with plant fertility issues, for example by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. They can also assist each other in repelling pests and diseases, as well as cause pest confusion through scent and colour variations. Marigold roots (afrikanertjie), for example, trap nematodes, which love to feast on tomato root structures.

A great example is to use nasturtium (kappertjie) plants around garden edges near tomatoes, peppers or any other plant that's susceptible to attack by aphids, as it is a 'sacrificial' companion plant that draws the aphids to itself first, thus giving the gardener time to prepare a chilli and garlic spray to keep the aphids off other food crops. The most famous of the companion planting guilds (group) is the 'three sisters', which has been part of the South American culture for thousands of years. The three sisters are maize, squash family and beans planted together in a mutually beneficial group.

The maize is a hungry feeder that requires a large amount of nitrogen, which is gained from the bean that is planted at the base of the maize plant. The bean is rewarded for the nitrogen as the maize provides a precious climbing frame, allowing the beans to get closer to the much needed extra sunlight.

The third sister is any member of the squash family that fills the lower spaces of the companion group, which protects the soil from erosion and the harsh rays of the sun that would damage the micro flora and fauna of the soil food web.

Judging and prizegiving
Individuals or groups that still wish to enter the competition have until 31 January to enter their gardens at the Blanco clinic or library.
The judging will take place on 22 and 23 February and winners will be announced during a prizegiving ceremony at the Blanco community hall on 1 March.

For more information contact Kos en Fynbos Spokesperson Chris Godfrey on 083 500 3090 or e-mail kosfynbos@hypernorth.com.
Andrew Mugford may be contacted on 076 452 4025 or andrew@permaculturesouthafrica.com.


Indigenous lilies flowering along a garden path.

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