Written by: Segomotso “Morakane” Lebogo

Location: Pretoria

I started my garden in 2016, shortly after returning from a trip to Thaba ’Nchu. During that trip, I was inspired and realised that I could use my own hands to grow food. When I came back home, I began planting seeds to raise seedlings, but because I didn’t always have enough time to water them, I decided to buy seedlings instead. I now purchase them from one of the local seedling companies around Pretoria. Once I saw my seedlings growing well, I made the decision to fully commit to growing my own food.

I am currently growing cabbage, broccoli, red and brown onions, spring onions, chilies, eggplant, sugar beans, and papaya in my garden. My Saturdays are dedicated to my garden – that’s my time to apply fertiliser, manage pests and weeds, and visit nearby farms to collect manure. I’m also lucky to have an ex-colleague who brings me pig manure from time to time.

My garden is my place of peace. It’s where I can relax, breathe, and spend time alone. Growing my own food has made my life so much easier because I no longer have to buy most of my vegetables. Of course, gardening comes with its challenges. For example, I struggled with aphids on my cabbage and white powder on the back of my spinach leaves. Luckily, I met a gentleman named Lucky, who showed me how to use wild garlic as a natural spray for my cabbage — and it’s been working really well!

In the coming weeks, I’ll be planting cucumber and maize. I’m also exploring different rainwater harvesting techniques to support my garden. Right now, I use municipal water, but I’m in the process of buying a JoJo tank to harvest rainwater.

I’ve had to account to the municipality every month for using municipal water to irrigate my garden. Installing my own JoJo tank will allow me to use rainwater instead, which will help me lower my water bill while continuing to grow my own food sustainably.

I know there are many ways to harvest rainwater, but for me, installing a JoJo tank is the most practical solution. This transition marks an important step in my journey toward water conservation and sustainable food production — one that makes me proud and hopeful for the future.