Innehållsförteckning för Home Yard 2024 från Home

Your all-in-one gardening guide – that's what we called last year's Home Yard. And it's that special edition that planted a seed in my mind: a complete overhaul of the small stoep and garden in front of my semi-detached home in Cape Town. I started dreaming of planters filled with bougainvillea and gaura, klompie bricks underfoot, built-in benches with comfy seating, a freestanding fire pit, walls covered in tickey creeper and perfect lighting. Then, the pièce de résistance: off-street parking for my car. The plan was simple, I thought. Raise the front wall enough to accommodate a garage door. Then carve out a bit of the narrow stoep that runs the length of my house so the nose of the car will fit neatly underneath. The stoep's surface would be…

VERANDA THE OWNERS Alex Chouler and Tabby Robertshaw WHERE Stanford, Western Cape SIZE 121m² (veranda and lawn area with fire pit) When Tabby and Alex started dreaming of a new farmhouse on their regenerative farm outside Stanford, a wraparound veranda was top of their wish list. Goodluck Homestead is a working livestock and vegetable farm, and from the original farmhouse one could gaze across rolling meadows towards Hermanus and all the way to the Kleinrivier Mountains in the distance. But there was no veranda from which to enjoy these views. The old farmhouse was demolished in October 2022 and thanks to a generous loan from the farm's investors, Tabby and Alex's dream of replacing it with a new income-generating farmhouse could become a reality. Alex was on site every day…

On the job… In 2015, during the severe drought, Mark divided the family's large 7m-long pool with a concrete wall, thereby creating 25000L water storage and a small plunge pool beautifully clad in slate. He explains how he did it: “The clay soil here was full of roots from the 100-year-old palm trees next door, so we built the original pool with fully reinforced concrete in 2003, which gave us the best chance against the heaving and cracking that a clay substrate would cause during seasonal changes. “We loved that pool; it was plastered with charcoal Marblite. The kids spent a ton of time swimming in it, but then the drought set in, and water storage became vital.” Mark and a Mr Zondi, a remarkable 'Mr Fix It' who assisted Mark…

Follow these steps to ensure success, says Gary Hendricks from Duram's technical helpline: • A premium pure acrylic roof paint that provides attractive, all-weather protection, Duram Roofkote is ideal for painting precast walls. It is predominantly used for various roof types, exterior trims and cement paving but can also be used on exterior walls. • Before you paint your vibracrete walls, ensure that the surface is thoroughly clean, sound, dry and free of any contaminants such as dirt, salt, algae, fungi, lichens, oil and grease. Be sure to remove all loose, flaking and embedded rust; mill scale; chalk and any old paint. Simply scrape it off with abrasive tools such as coarse sandpaper, a wire brush, a mechanical grinder or high-pressure cleaner. Finish with a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the…

LIGHTING OUR EXPERTS JOHANNES (BORRIE) BOTHA of Leading Edge Energy in Sunningdale, Cape Town, is an electrician who installs solar power systems for homes and businesses. MARCUS SMIT of Marcus Smit Architects in Somerset West has 30 years' experience in the industry. Although he is an architect, he's also passionate about gardening. WALTER CLOETE of Walgro in Strand in the Western Cape is a horticulturist who has been designing gardens for 40 years. NEVILLE ORSMOND of Create a Landscape in Gauteng is well known to Home readers; he has 19 years' experience in garden design. A well-designed lighting plan ensures a seamless transition between your home and your garden and extends your entertaining area. – Neville Planning is essential Garden lighting falls into one of two categories: functional or aesthetic.…

Raised beds have many benefits. Minette and Neville Orsmond of Create a Landscape elaborate… • Minimising the effect of boundary walls The security of high walls and the privacy they provide has meant that boundary walls often dominate gardens. As they create a layered effect, raised beds are a great way to break their height so they don't feel so prison-like. Another benefit is that when planted in a raised bed, plants and shrubs look much taller and help to soften and conceal blank walls. Since the plants are at eye level, the garden looks more established in a shorter period of time. • Raising plants towards the sun On a small property, houses tend to cast a lot of shade, especially if they are double storey. The result is…

RAISED BEDS WHO LIVES HERE? Ryan and Carla Jardine and Holly (1) WHERE Hopefield, Western Cape SIZE OF ERF 1 587m2 We love it when previous Fix it with Flair entrants submit their latest projects – we're always excited to see what they've been up to! Last year, Ryan and Carla Jardine sent us their complete garden makeover; we featured their home renovation – on the same property – back in 2019. “Hopefield has extremely hot summers and we're situated on a clay bank where water doesn't penetrate as easily,” says Ryan. “The fall of the property is quite steep and runs towards our house, which is situated right at the front of the erf. With our home being more than 170 years old, it has no damp course. All…

READER GARDEN WHO LIVES HERE? Jéan and Ilinda du Preez with their two cats, Pixel and Meko WHERE Monaghan Farm, Lanseria SIZE OF ERF 6 000m² TYPE OF SOIL Clay and sandy Ilinda du Preez wanted a garden that looked and felt like the veld. “I've always loved a natural garden, so when I stroll through mine I want to be surrounded by wildflowers and grasses just as it would be in nature,” she says. “One of the conditions of the estate where we live is that 50% of the erf's total area must remain natural veld – the house, swimming pool, garden and any other built structure may not cover more than half of the property.” Ilinda says that any plants used in the garden should by and large…

1 Main garden with water feature A tall hedge of Australian brush cherry forms a dense green wall on the side of the property and conceals the driveway. The first sight that greets you as you walk through this hedge is the circular water feature. This element adds structure to the front garden and is further emphasised by neatly trimmed low salt bush hedges. Blue, purple and white forms the palette in this part of the garden. The borehole water fountain is enjoyed by dogs and kids alike! It also attracts an abundance of birds, while the soothing sound of the water can be enjoyed from inside the house. PLANT LIST Blue, white and purple blooms provide colour in the front garden: • Bulbs such as chincherinchee (Ornithogalum thyrsoides hybrids)…

TREES AND SHRUBS • Azalea (Rhododendron) • Bougainvillea (the compact shrub type) • Camellia • Gardenia • Hibiscus • Lemon trees (Citrus limon 'Eureka') • Olive trees (Olea europaea) • River bells (Mackaya bella) • Roses: 'My Granny' and 'Granny's Delight' are good groundcovers, while standard 'Iceberg' roses add height. PERENNIALS • Cymbidium orchid • Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' • Fuchsia • Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) • Pelargonium • Perennial petunia • Salvia Tip For hanging baskets, choose a variety of air plants and trailing pelargoniums that hang over the edge of the basket. ANNUALS • Bedding begonia (Begonia semperflorens) • Lobelia erinus • Million bells (Calibrachoa) • Pansy (Viola wittrockiana) • Petunia • Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) • Viola (Viola cornuta) Tip Alternate annuals each year for a fresh look.…

DO IT YOURSELF You will need SHOPPING LIST • tile edging • cornice adhesive • Pro Grip Key Coat Primer and Additive • self-levelling screed • sheets of hexagon mosaic tiles in white and black • tile adhesive PROJECT NOTES • Before you begin, decide on the design you want. Draw the design on a piece of paper before you start removing the white tiles to make space for the black ones (see steps 14 and 15 overleaf). • Self-levelling screed isn't always necessary; if the surface you want to tile is even, you can begin tiling straight away. QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 7/10 Skill level 10/10 Time needed Three days (to allow for drying time in between) TOOLS • angle grinder • trowel • wash brush • mixing…

DO IT YOURSELF You will need SHOPPING LIST • 18mm plywood, cut to: one 1 800 × 660mm piece (seat) one 1 800 × 390mm piece, with one long edge cut at 13° (backrest) four 640 × 470mm pieces (armrest sides) • 22 × 69mm planed pine, cut to: two 1 800mm lengths (seat frame, front and back) two 618mm lengths (seat frame, sides) two 680mm lengths, both ends cut at 45° (armrests, top) four 490mm lengths, one end cut at 45° (armrests, front and back) one 1 840mm length, both ends cut at 45° (top of backrest) two 410mm lengths, one end cut at 45° (sides of backrest) • 22 × 95mm planed pine, cut to: two 660mm lengths (seat sides) one 1840mm length (front of seat) • 69…

You will need SHOPPING LIST • timber cut to the size of a tabletop (or an existing tabletop) • masking tape • compass, drill and 8mm wood drill bit • jigsaw • Woodoc Water-Borne FLOOR Matt Clear • Woodoc Colours Brights in the colour Red • mixing container • stirring spatula • paintbrushes • sandpaper • table legs • screws • ice bucket PROJECT NOTE We used salvaged metal table legs to make our stand, but you could also look at Gelmar, Leroy Merlin and Takealot – or upcycle old legs from Facebook Marketplace. Tip Make the cutting circle a little smaller than the top of the ice bucket, so that it fits snugly under the handles. Drill a pilot hole for the jigsaw blade on the inside of the circle…

FRESH IDEAS Nothing soothes the soul quite like the sound of rain falling on a corrugated iron roof.– JanSauer Set in stone Back in 2019, formidable creative and Home regular Jan Sauer Lambrechts bought the oldest house in Richmond in the Northern Cape and converted it into his now thriving guesthouse and personal getaway, Seisoen Karoo Retreat. The run-down property presented ample opportunity for creativity and his choice of finishes speaks to the vernacular of the Karoo town. All the stonework on the walls, stoep and water feature was done by local builders. “We recycled the stones from the old stoep,” explains Jan Sauer. “It was hard work because some were thick and some thin, but my team did an incredible job. They became very adept at it.” The stone…

ENTERTAINING AREA WHO LIVES HERE? Karin Cronjé WHERE Franschhoek SIZE About 48m² LEVELS AND FLOOR SURFACE Five different levels were created in the backyard: a braai area, adjacent work surfaces, benches on two different levels and an outdoor shower. Around the braai, 6mm brown gravel was put down as a floor covering. SUNROOM After Karin installed a large kitchen island in the open-plan space indoors, there was no room for a dining table. The solution? A striking glass room 3 × 2.8m in size. “To make the most of the incredible vista of the mountain pass above Franschhoek, I decided on a glass roof – I didn't want to lose a single inch of the view,” says Karin. “It's also amazing to see the stars at night, especially when the…

STOEP WHO LIVES HERE? Izak and Riëtte van der Wat with their sons, Izak (9) and Leopold (6) and Fielies the Labrador WHERE Johannesburg SIZE 30m2 The original stoep at the Van der Wats' house in Parkview, Johannesburg was a thorn in their side: tiles that belonged inside were used outside and became slippery when it rained; there was no wall around the stoep, even though it was dangerously high in places; the steps to the stoep were impractically large and wide; and because no precaution had been taken to drain water, there were dirty water streaks down the walls. But the worst was probably the knotty roof with its skew pillars, says Riëtte. “It was as if a previous owner started the project but either his desire to complete…

POOL AREAS Go with the flow There's something about an infinity pool that feels luxurious and romantic. When Shaun and Karin Nel of Seaview outside Gqeberha saw the closed-up swimming pool at their new house, they immediately envisioned an infinity pool with a gorgeous ocean view. Many contractors advised them to rather install a new pool lower down on the property, but the couple was determined to repair the old one. Today, it is everything they wanted with its beautiful vista of nearby Sardinia Bay. EXPERT ADVICE Working withstone Stone cladding creates a natural focal point. Wikus van Staden of Van Staden Retaining Systems in Somerset West says it is a specialised task, requiring years of experience in chiselling rock into a variety of shapes and sizes. Here's his advice: •…

STOCKISTS Eurolux eurolux.co.za Hertex Haus hertexhaus.co.za K.Light klight.co.za Litehouse litehouse.co.za MØN Exteriors monexteriors.com Superbalist superbalist.com The Lighting Warehouse lightingwarehouse.co.za…

Landscape designer Deidre Causton of Inspirations in Johannesburg offers the following advice: • For raised planters against a boundary wall, make sure the wall can take the weight of the bricks and soil. You may have to reinforce it or build a waterproofed skim wall adjacent to it. If you're unsure, consult an engineer or master builder. • If you're building raised planters from brick, a foundation for the brickwork is necessary. • Drainage is vital, so leave the bottom of the beds open to the ground. This will allow water to drain away, roots to grow into the soil and earthworms to enter. Include weepholes to prevent a build-up of water. Position them just above ground level, every 2.5m, using 50ml-wide piping built into the brickwork. • It's best…

Poor drainage in garden beds and on lawns can be a problem, leading to the rotting of plant roots and poor soil quality. You especially don't want water to accumulate close to your house as it can lead to rising damp, as was the case with the Jardines. Poor drainage usually arises on properties where there's no natural slope that allows water to run offor when the soil structure doesn't allow water to drain away quickly enough, as is the case with clay soil. A French drain is a good way to solve this problem. It works on the principle that any water on the surface flows away as quickly and efficiently as possible with the help of gravity – either directly into the ground or to a point elsewhere. Here's…

You will need SHOPPING LIST (for one stool) • one 2 400 × 450mm laminated pine plank (20mm thick) cut to: four panels of 330 × 450mm (sides) one panel of 350 × 350mm (top) • 150-grit sandpaper • wood filler • twenty-four 6mm × 40mm chipboard screws TOOLS • pencil • tape measure • try square • cordless drill and 3mm drill bit • 35mm spade bit • jigsaw • 102mm hole saw • sander PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 3/10 Skill level 4/10 Time needed ± 1 hour Finished size ± 450mm (H) × 350mm (W) × 350mm (D) PROJECT NOTES • Remember to drill pilot holes. • Get the panels pre-cut to order at your nearest timber merchant; this will simplify your task. Here's how… TO FINISH Fill the screw holes…

VERANDA & POOL DECK WHO LIVES HERE? Mark Thomas and Heidi Facey-Thomas WHERE Rosebank, Cape Town SIZE About 60m² (pool deck, veranda and landscaped areas) Come the weekend, you'll find the Thomas family gathered around their sun-drenched veranda and pool deck. And this is how it's been for the past two decades; although nowadays, Mark and Heidi's adult daughters – Sarah, Katie and Anna – return to their childhood home for a braai and a catch-up. “We bought the house in 2003 with the intention to renovate, sell and buy something bigger,” Heidi explains. They renovated the same year. “There was no veranda, and no north-facing aspect when we bought the house,” says Mark, an architect. “We added the sunroom and built a big pool and the veranda. These outdoor…

OUTDOOR KITCHEN Keen to build a circular fire pit similar to Deon's? Go to news24.com/home for the step-by-step instructions. DIY guru Deon de Goede is also an avid cook who loves entertaining. An under-utilised area next to the fire pit in his back garden was begging for a creative transformation. “It used to be an unattractive storage area with a vibracrete wall we could see from our bedroom window,” says his wife Debbie. “I could no longer bear to look at it!” This unused space was perfect for an outdoor kitchen, and Deon soon came up with a plan that suited them both. Now the vibracrete wall is hidden by an exposed brick wall against which the braai wood has been stacked, while a built-in cupboard unit with a cement slab…

GARDEN WALLS Once established, bougainvilleas are low-maintenance plants. They love a hot, sunny garden, will cope with poor soil (but it must be well-drained) and thrive on neglect – the less water they get, the more colourful bracts they produce throughout summer! Tips for climbers • Choose a suitable plant that is evergreen if you want a lush boundary all year round. With a deciduous climber like a Chinese wisteria, your wall will look bare in winter, but the mass of purple blooms more than makes up for it come spring! For a sunny wall, plant a sun lover such as a climbing rose or bougainvillea. In shady areas, star jasmine works well. • Some plants such as tickey creeper, Boston ivy and Virginia creeper self-cling to walls. Attach a…

Splash out! Montagu bamboo umbrella in Wild Flower design (3m D) R13 818, Cape Umbrellas Hello, summer! For your deck 1 Balau ribbed decking (19mm D × 90mm W × 2.7m L) R242.50, Buco 2 Saligna decking (22mm D × 90mm W × 3m L) from R188.50, Buco 3 Garapa decking (19mm D × 90mm W × 3.35m L) from R543.10, Buco 4 Pine decking (22mm D × 102mm W × 3m L) from R126.66, Buco STOCKISTS Buco buco.co.za Cape Umbrellas capeumbrellas.com Cielo cielo.co.za Coricraft coricraft.co.za Decobella decobella.co.za Italtile italtile.co.za MØN Exteriors monexteriors.com Patio Warehouse patiowarehouse.co.za Pedersen + Lennard pedersenlennard.co.za Stiles stiles.co.za The Teepee People theteepeepeople.co.za…

RAISED BEDS Do you live in a small space or townhouse complex? Raised beds offer a popular, practical and attractive way to make the most of your garden. We asked the experts to explain the advantages and share their best advice and top tips… Artist Gill Allderman created a lush vegetable garden off the kitchen of her Kommetjie home using GroBox planter boxes. These are made from hardwearing crates repurposed from fruit farms and came lined with Bidim, a permeable geotextile that prevents the soil from falling through the bottom slats but allows water to drain away. Gill filled the bottom of the planters with building rubble, wood cuttings and cardboard. On top she placed good quality soil enriched with compost to give the herbs and vegetables a good start.…

IN SUNNY SPOTS 1 STAND-ALONE SUCCULENT BED • Huachuca agave (Agave parryi var. huachucensis) Plant this in the centre of the bed to make a statement and draw the eye. • Pig's ear (Cotyledon orbiculata)* Plant these around the agaves for contrasting foliage. They also have attractive flowers. • Gazania (Gazania rigens)* This hardy groundcover will fill the gaps and spill over the edges. 2 HERB BED AGAINST A BOUNDARY WALL • Lemon tree 'Eureka' (Citrus limon) These evergreen lemon trees will soften the wall and provide you with a bounty of fruit. • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Plant these spiky shrubs in the middle to show off their silver-grey foliage and blue flowers. They'll grow about 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide. • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) A good edging plant that…

PATHWAYS OUR EXPERTS NEVILLE ORSMOND of Create a Landscape in Johannesburg has 19 years' experience in garden design. PETRO JACOBS founded Petro Landscaping in 2004. The company is based in Cape Town. SARAH STEVENS is a horticulturist and landscape designer from Kenton-on-Sea. SHARON WALKER is a landscape consultant (based in Bloemfontein and Knysna) who presents regular garden design courses; she's a specialist adviser to SmartStone on outdoor living spaces and is a co-author of Making Sense of Garden Design. SLATE Slate is a wonderful surface for garden paths, says Petro. It's a natural product and is available in different shapes, sizes and colours. Remember, however, that it's thinner than pavers, so it can easily crack or break if the ground is not levelled properly beforehand. GRAVEL Gravel is ideal in…

You will need SHOPPING LIST • 2 sturdy planks (1500 × 220 × 50mm) • 1 paver (600 × 600mm), cut in half (foundation) • 1 bag cement • 2 bags sand • 60 bricks TOOLS • spirit level • marker • tape measure • wheelbarrow • spade • builder's trowel • rubber mallet • sponge PROJECT NOTES • Our bench is ± 1700 × 660mm; adjust your measurements and material quantities according to your needs. • This bench can't be moved after it has been built, so be 100% certain you've chosen the right spot for it. • Make sure the surface is level before you start building. • Check throughout that everything is level. QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 4/10 Skill level 3/10 Time needed 1 to 2 hours (excluding…