Anyone for Indigenous?

After several days of cool, rainy weather, Easter Saturday dawned with bright sunshine and crisp blue skies, just the invitation to head out of town to Muldersdrift and The Random Harvest Indigenous nursery. Our outing started with a general pottering around and checking out the plants, shrubs and trees (the nursery had mounted a wonderful display of succulents and cacti), a strenuous appetite building exercise that was satisfied with an above average breakfast. This was served underneath the acacias and included farm butter and milk, homemade bread and jams to supplement the staple eggs and bacon.  Delicious.
After some advice on ridding our lawn of the ever encroaching weeds and the purchase of some bulbs and succulents, we were done.
It is without doubt our favorite nursery.  Why?  It is in the country, it sells a staggering array of indigenous trees and plants, a very high quality standard is it maintained, displays are interesting and change frequently, expert advice is freely available, staff are pleasant and helpful and and and.  Oh and there is a play area for the younger members of the family and it is also possible to wander around to see the farm animals.  Bottom line, it is so much more than a nursery but is an experience and an outing.
Do you feel like a break for a night or two in the country?  Random Harvest have a couple of wonderful cottages to rent complete with DSTV and all the other little touches you would expect from a quality operation.  A chatty online newsletter is also available free of charge.  

http://www.randomharvestnursery.co.za/

Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre

A little more than an hour's drive north of Johannesburg and even less from Pretoria on the gently sloping northern side of the Magaliesberg lies an oasis, the Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre.  Some 30 years ago, the doyen of Herbs in the country, began transforming a typical and fairly barren piece of Bushveld land into what is now a restful and peaceful garden. Not that the Centre is complete; due in early 2014 will be a lavender garden complete with benches inviting the weary to "come aside and rest awhile".
The Centre incorporates a number of elements starting with the extensive and beautifully laid out gardens planted with every imaginable herb plant, bush and tree.  Delicious refreshments, different, freshly made and naturally incorporating herbs, ranging from cakes and muffins to light lunches are available from the restaurant.
Children will enjoy the Fairy Gallery while expending energy as they rush around chasing butterflies and discovering the thoughtfully placed "fairy playground" and clay rabbits.  Of course, a nursery offers a wide variety of reasonably priced plants and trees for those who want to start or extend a herb garden.
For those mementos and gifts, a well stocked shop provides a wide variety of soaps, jams, books and many other things with a herbal connection.  For those who are interested in birdwatching, take a pair of binoculars because a combination of the lush gardens, large shady trees, water and the Bushveld environment attracts many of the more unusual specie.  
Only open on Wednesdays and usually a monthly Saturday workshop, it is best to phone ahead to check.  It is a very worthwhile and different days outing.

www.margaretroberts.co.za