GARDENS & LANDSCAPING
The contrast between the bleak ridges and the narrow green bands along the river is striking.
Small-scale gardeners, eco-camps – one called“ The Growcery” – and community growers upstream and downstream of Vioolsdrift, at Sendelingsdrift and inland from the river at Kuboes, are trying out simple yet effective cultivation methods: raised beds that trap runoff, compost pits that recycle waste, and gravity-fed drip irrigation that turns a few buckets of water into thriving rows of vegetables.
While these initiatives are modest in size, they reflect a resilience that is very pertinent to South Africa ' s present challenges.
The outcome is not a‘ mirage of green’, but a functioning ecosystem where human needs are in harmony with natural limits. In a world increasingly dominated by industrial agriculture and lengthy supply chains, the Richtersveld’ s quiet experiments highlight a form of cultivation that is restorative rather than extractive.
Whilst the main goal of this story is to highlight the methods of cultivating arid gardens, an entirely separate thread would be needed to highlight the role of the indigenous plants, so aptly interpolated at the SANParks base camp at Sendelingsdrift.
The Growcery: Tourism meets restorative cultivation and gardening.
Case study- Micro-oasis at Growcery
During the trip, I interviewed Ian du Plessis, the owner of the Growcery Eco-camp, which also serves as a base for river rafting expeditions.
“ Our planting philosophy is to grow for the camp ' s consumption. We supply the camp kitchen and also sell to our hospitality guests, which include campers and overland parties.”
The Growcery is located far from food markets, so it does not grow vegetables for resale. Its production serves the needs of the eco-camp, its staff, and visitors. Cultivation includes rare trees, herbs, spices, fruits, seasonal vegetables, and lettuce.
“ Although the soil in the area is fertile, the plants deplete the nutrients over time. We replenish the soil with compost made from our own organic waste, which is produced at the camp. Therefore, mulching also plays a significant role in maintaining soil health.
“ We have shaded and open growing areas, which we cover with shade cloth to protect the plants from the summer sun and deter birds. By using techniques such as companion and succession planting, and utilising the local fauna, we maximise the yield and make the most of the available space. At the Growcery Greenery, a big part of our daily routine is tending to the plants, Ian explains.”
Sufficient for local consumption- sustainable
“ Supporting our philosophy through succession planting, we ensure a constant supply of produce for kitchen use. The vegetable crops cultivated here are selected to complement our menu and provide items that are costly to purchase, especially given our remote location.
“ Peppers are a great example. These grow throughout the year, and they are costly in the shops. Onions are also a very successful crop all year round.”
The Growcery- seedling cultivation.
The Growcery provides charming accommodation and educational experiences amidst the green spaces that are part of the owner’ s cultivation scheme. Visit the website at www. thegrowcery. co. za for complete information.
108 summer 2025-26 | www. tobuild. co. za