Thousands of people throughout South Africa celebrated their green spaces with neighbours, family and friends for the seventh annual Garden Day (Sunday 9 October) by popping on a flower crown and toasting the goodness their gardens give them all year long. Garden Day was conceptualised by a group of enthusiastic gardeners who wanted to encourage people across South Africa to connect by celebrating their green spaces – no matter how big or small - and embrace the endlessly therapeutic effects of these leafy respites.
Hold On to Your Flower Crown was the theme for this year's Garden Day, which returned on Sunday, 9 October
Water the flower beds, trim the hedges, prune the plants, and start prepping the party menu. Garden Day 2022, the annual movement that encourages us to celebrate our green spaces, took place on Sunday 9 October and called on everyone to celebrate with neighbours, family and friends.
Now in its seventh year, Garden Day was created by a group of enthusiastic gardeners who wanted to encourage people across South Africa to connect by celebrating their green spaces – no matter how big or small - and embrace the endlessly therapeutic effects of these leafy respites.
“For me it’s a day to ignore my tools and look beyond the weeds, and simply be in the moment and take pleasure in the beauty of my garden,” says one of the movement’s founding gardeners Gundula Deutschlander of Babylonstoren.
Get celebration-ready
First thing’s first. As the official symbol of Garden Day, wearing a flower crown is a must, says Deutschlander. Once you’ve made your own and your flower crown is good to go, you can pay tribute to your garden by hosting a tea party, braai, swanky sundowners or lazy picnic… whatever works for you.
“It doesn’t matter the size or shape of your garden, everyone is encouraged to get involved,” says Deutschlander. “Whether you are surrounded by a humble windowsill of monstera deliciosa or a rambling tree-lined wilderness - Garden Day is for everyone. I love the idea of sharing my green space with others and I’m always excited to see how creative everyone is on Garden Day.”
Connect with your community
South Africans are no strangers to soaring food costs and Garden Day lauds community gardens throughout the country for providing jobs and fresh produce at affordable prices to local residents. “This year, we are collaborating with various community gardens, including Khulisa Streetscapes’ in Cape Town and Victoria Yards in Johannesburg, which people can visit to buy their fresh weekly greens and pick up a free flower crown before heading home for a special (urban) farm-to-table lunch on Garden Day,” says Deutschlander.
Another way to plant a seed within your community is to join the newfound Garden Day Society, which encourages those blessed with green fingers and a passion for their neighbourhood to help spread the Garden Day spirit by organising a celebration and getting as many guests as possible to join in the festivities. Contact the Garden Day team on their dedicated WhatsApp number +27 66 389 5182 to find out how to get involved.
Ideas to help your garden (celebration) grow
If you need some bright ideas and green-fingered inspiration, Gardenday.co.za has a handy toolkit to help you plan a gorgeous, nature-filled celebration, including recipe ideas, downloadable invitations, crafty things to make and do with children in the garden, community garden collab details and lots more to get your creativity blooming.
Catch news, updates and inspiration at @GardenDaySA on all social media platforms. Follow @GardenDaySA on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok and share your nature-filled celebrations and your garden’s goodness with #GardenDaySA in your posts.
For more information, visuals and or interview requests, please Lisa Pellatt on +27 84 553 4629 / email lisa@oneunion.co.za
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