Growing your own organic veggie garden is a sure way to live more sustainably, and although it may seem a little daunting, it really is simple. Take a good look at your yard and once you have your veggies garden’s location set in mind, follow these easy steps for the quickest way to install a new and sustainable vegetable garden.

“These steps cost very little money while still allowing you to produce fresh veggies for you and your family.” say’s Granny Mouse Country House & Spa General Manager, Sean Granger.” These tips are what we use here at Granny Mouse to keep our beautiful gardens that grow exquisitely throughout the year.

1. Prepare the soil for a new garden

This might be the most difficult step. Start by removing the surface of the ground you’ve selected using a flat blade spade. Cut the ground into strips that are only slightly wider than the actual shovel’s blade. Start around the outside of the garden and work your way toward the middle, cutting it into strips. You don’t have to cut down deep; maybe about 10 cm. Once cut into strips, jam the blade sideways under the ground and lift as you roll it up like a long roll. The rolls will be quite heavy, so try to shake off excess soil before lifting them into a wheelbarrow and moving them away.

It’s important to focus on boosting the fertility of your existing soil in a way that’s beneficial, no matter what kind of soil you’re starting with. Besides purchasing plants and seeds for your new veggie garden, this is the only step that might cost you some money, but it’s money well spent, because it’s essential for growing a garden that will perform and produce. Open the bags of compost you’ve purchased, “dump it” on your new garden that you just shoveled, and rake it out until it’s an even thickness across the entire surface and then turn the soil. Next you will need to lay down your weed killers and insect repellents immediately and preferably a green product. (yes before you plant!).

2. Plant your veggies 

Now that your garden is prepared, its time to get planting. You can plant your garden whether by directly sowing seeds into the garden or by planting transplants. The best veggies to plant directly with seed are: lettuce, carrots, spinach, corn, pumpkin and cucumbers just to name a few.

If transplanting, the best would be to plant tomatoes, eggplants, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage etc. When you’re ready to plant, gently push back the prepped soil, then plant your seeds or transplants right through it. After covering the seeds with soil or nestling the roots of the transplant into the ground, put the soil back in place. Water the plant or seeds in well.

It’s also important to get the timing of your planting correct because some veggies prefer to grow when the weather is cool while others prefer a warmer weather.

3. After-Care

Continued maintenance is absolutely essential to your garden’s success. Make sure that you:

• Pull weeds when they are young.
• Keep the garden watered.
• Stake plants as necessary.
• Harvest regularly, weekly if possible.

Give it a try and who knows, your “green fingers” can put veggies on the table!

Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, who are always on trend, have launched many new and exciting menus, which now includes a High Tea Menu to its offering.

General Manager, Sean Granger, and his team of culinary artists thought it fitting to create some lighter, yet well-loved, meals as we know you are always a little peckish in the clean country air of the Midlands.

Have you ever wondered where high tea originated? Well believe it or not, it began over 150 years ago in England. They termed it afternoon tea, where a light meal would be served in the late afternoon and was enjoyed by the wealthy classes in 1840 and thereabout. In the 19^th century, the middle classes soon took up the tradition, followed by the lower end classes.

For the poorer folk, the afternoon tea included tea, with blocks of sugar and milk, providing a bit of a sugar rush for those who had worked some physical work. The labourers who had their afternoon tea were more about a baked snack and a sandwich, which was packed in the mornings. For those who were far wealthier, it was quite a display of sandwiches featuring cucumber, egg, fish paste, ham, smoked salmon and the likes. The sweets were often scones with whipped cream and jam. Of course, there were also cakes like fruit cake etc.

While cakes are still served, High Teas are way more modern now with mini milk tarts, crème caramels, long doughnuts, crepes, etc. served on tiered stands and served in five star hotels.

So make sure you get to Granny Mouse and take advantage of their High Tea. Served from 10:30am to 6pm, their offering features plain sweet scones with cream and jam, cake of the day and then there is the Snack Menu which is served up from 3pm – 6pm. All toasted sandwiches are served on brown, white or whole wheat bread and served with a choice of chips or salad. Options include homemade chicken and mayonnaise; ham & cheese or cheese and tomato.

If it’s a milkshake you’re after, Granny Mouse has some truly artisan options: peanut butter; chocolate and banana; strawberry, cherry and marshmallow or coffee and oreo. However, if this is too decadent for you, the firm favourites are also on offer from strawberry; chocolate; vanilla; coffee or milo flavoured. (Please note menu items may contain traces of nuts).

Email reservations@grannymouse.co.za now or call 033 234 4071 to enjoy a spot of high tea!