A day to celebrate nature, reconnect with the earth, and share the joy of our gardens—welcome to Garden Day!
South Africa (03 October 2024) – Imagine a day when South Africans of all ages come together to celebrate something as simple, yet as profound, as a garden. Well, there is one! Introducing Garden Day – a joyous event that turns our appreciation for green spaces into a nationwide celebration.
Taking place on Sunday, 20 October 2024, Garden Day invites everyone, whether you’re a plant enthusiast or just someone who loves a good garden party, to embrace the beauty and tranquillity of nature.
But what exactly is Garden Day, and why does it matter?
Well, it’s not just about plants and flowers. And it’s actually been around for 9 years already!
Garden Day is all about celebrating the hard work that goes into creating these green spaces, the joy they bring into our lives, and the incredible sense of community they inspire. The day was first launched in South Africa as a way to highlight the importance of gardens, whether they’re sprawling green oases or small, carefully tended pot plants on a patio. Over the years, it’s become more than just a day on the calendar—it’s a movement that reminds us to pause, gather with loved ones, and enjoy the simple pleasures that nature offers.
Dr Anesu Mbizvo, a proud advocate of the movement, sums it up beautifully, “Garden Day is a reminder of how lucky we are to have a garden or a little pocket of nature to ourselves.”
Whether it’s a grand lawn or a single potted plant, the point is to reconnect with the outdoors and share that joy with others.
Okay, but why is Garden Day such a wonderful celebration?
For starters, it highlights our relationship with nature, something that’s easily forgotten in our busy lives.
As Pietman Diener, a passionate gardener, explains, “Garden day is an extension of my love of gardening and life is too short not to do what you love. It’s about taking a moment to appreciate the space we’ve nurtured and sharing that love with those around us.”
Gardening also does more than just beautify our surroundings – it helps us grow, too.
As Corli Leonard, floral designer and advocate, puts it: “Garden Day is about gratitude and allowing oneself the time to enjoy the garden and being outdoors.”
Gardens teach us patience, resilience, and a sense of responsibility towards our environment. They connect us to the natural world and foster a sense of well-being, something we could all use more of these days.
Bringing Music To This Garden Day!
This year, Garden Day brings an exciting new layer to its celebrations with a unique musical creation composed especially for the occasion. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Loki Rothman took on the project, but not in the conventional way one might expect. Instead of crafting the music from his studio, Loki used the garden itself as his orchestra, turning the outdoors into a living, breathing soundtrack.
“There’s something very inspiring and calming for me about the garden,” Loki shares, emphasising how the natural world offers more than just landscapes.
For him, gardens are rich with a multitude of sounds that often go unnoticed but hold immense musical potential. Armed with a simple recording device, Loki went out to capture the unique sounds of nature—raking soil, rustling leaves, stomping on gravel, even the distant hum of suburban leaf blowers. These everyday garden noises became the foundation of his composition.
Back in the studio, Loki transformed these sounds into a soothing, organic backing track. Gravelly footsteps morphed into a kick drum, a garden fork became a snare, and the rustling of leaves provided delicate textures. Layer by layer, he built an entirely garden-inspired instrumental. His next step? Penning lyrics that captured the essence of being outdoors.
With his signature acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics like, “I can hear the wind blow / Birds pick me up when I’m so low / I can hear the earth breathe / Feel the sun shining on me,” Loki’s song beautifully reflects the tranquillity and joy that Garden Day is all about.
Clarisse Coetzee from Garden Day reflects on this collaboration, saying, “We approached Loki because we love his music and the moods he creates. We knew he’d deliver, but were overwhelmed by the effort he put into crafting a song this unique. It’s the Garden Day anthem we’ve been waiting for, and we hope that it’s played across the country on Sunday 20 October when South Africans host their garden parties!”
You can listen to Loki’s new song below:
View this post on Instagram
And how exactly do we celebrate Garden Day?
Host a Garden Tea Party – Invite friends and family for an afternoon of tea and treats under the shade of your favourite tree.
Make a Flower Crown – Gather flowers, leaves, and vines from your garden and create beautiful flower crowns to wear while celebrating.
Set a Harvest Table – Use the produce from your garden to set up a long lunch or dinner outside. Fresh garden salads, herbs, and homemade preserves add a special touch.
Start a Community Garden – Get your neighbourhood involved and plant something together, fostering community spirit and connection.
With music – You can create your own songs from the garden or use Loki’s song as a track for your Garden Day celebration.
Plant Something New – Whether it’s a flower, herb, or vegetable, planting something new is a great way to mark the occasion and watch it grow over time.
Have a Picnic on the Lawn – Spread out a blanket and enjoy a relaxed day with a picnic in your garden or at a local park.
Get Your Yoga On – Reconnect with nature by hosting a yoga session outdoors. It’s the perfect way to stretch and unwind in a peaceful environment.
Or Some Garden Games – Plan some classic outdoor games like croquet, pétanque, or giant Jenga to keep everyone entertained.
Host a Garden Workshop – Share your green thumb with others by hosting a workshop on planting, potting, or garden design.
Above all things, remember that the day of celebration isn’t just for individuals; it’s also a celebration of community. Whether you’re joining hands with neighbours to start a community garden or simply sharing homegrown produce, the day serves as a reminder of how our shared green spaces unite us.
As Ncumisa Mkabile, a supporter, says, “Hosting a tea party on my farm is my way of nurturing growth, both in crops and in communities.”
So, whether you’re crafting flower crowns, hosting a garden feast, or simply sitting among your plants and soaking in the sun, Garden Day is your chance to pause, reflect, and share the beauty of nature with those you love.
After all, life is too short not to stop and smell the flowers!
by 