The Resilient Garden

Think you can't garden because your soil is poor, your water is scarce, and your space is limited? Think again. Drawn from the popular columns of Grocott's Mail, this handbook is packed with proven, hard-won wisdom from South Africa's Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. This collection of bite-sized columns and stories is a practical guide to creating life and community from barren ground. Learn how to compost, drought-proof your beds, build parks from dumps, and harness ferments for richer soil, the secrets of xerophytes, the art of fermentation for plant health, and how to build a thriving garden from tyres, pallets, and recycled "graywater." More than just a gardening manual, it's a testament to the power of a seed and a shovel to change not only a landscape but a community. This collection chronicles the ingenious, low-cost, and utterly organic methods locals use to coax life from the earth. Filled with heartfelt stories like Cecil's transformation of a Currie Street dumping ground and practical advice for every season, this book is an essential companion for any gardener fighting their own odds. From the "Garden of the Week" at the Hayton Complex to the determined schoolchildren of the Feeding The Self project, these stories prove that a garden is more than food—it's a classroom, a community centre, and a beacon of hope. Packed with actionable advice on everything from graywater systems and winter warming to natural pest control, The Resilient Garden is a powerful call to pick up a trowel and start growing, no matter your circumstances. Whether you're nurturing seedlings on a windowsill or mobilizing a community to turn a dump into a park, this book shows you how to grow against the odds. Your toughest growing conditions are about to become your greatest advantage.