EMIHLE MBANGATHA
Fairlands Retirement Village in Cambridge West transformed into a floral showcase on March 15, as residents competed in a vibrant garden competition, celebrating their love for gardening while welcoming visitors on open day.
Judged by Amalinda Nursery and sponsored by various East London outlets, the gardens and their green-thumbed owners competed against each other in two categories; small gardens and large. Chris Jordaan came out as the winner of the large garden category, and Norma Hurn was the small garden category winner.
Despite his surprise at winning, Jordaan put in significant effort to prepare his garden for the competition.
Having moved to East London two-and-a-half years ago, he started from scratch, planting grass and greenery while renovations were still underway.
“My garden is mostly shrubs, succulents and rocks — I’m not a flower man,” he said. Some of the rocks were collected from Khowa and Dordrecht, while others came from his former home.
Jordaan takes pride in maintaining his garden himself, enjoying the hands-on work of cutting grass, arranging rocks, and tending to the soil.
Competing against 23 other gardens, his dedication paid off, earning him the top prize in the large garden category. He walked away with a Spargs voucher, a box of fertiliser, and an orchid plant.
Small garden winner Hurn was hesitant to enter the competition at first, but after receiving countless compliments on her garden, she decided to give it a shot.
“When I entered, I had a feeling I might win — my garden is beautiful,” she said.
“It’s full of colour, and as I walked around looking at the other gardens, I thought mine stood out the most.”
Hurn’s garden is a rich tapestry of plants, some of which hold deep sentimental value. She started it in 2015, after moving to Fairlands with her late sister, whose love for lavender is reflected in the space.
“My sister and I planted everything together, and now it serves as a memorial for her,” she said.
Her garden boasts a mix of roses, bromeliads, eggplants, and orchids — though she notes the orchids have lost their blue hue due to the heat. She also grows herbs for cooking and tends to the plants daily, working early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the midday sun. While she does most of the work herself, she occasionally enlists a gardener to assist due to a knee issue.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Hurn believes gardening has played a vital role in maintaining her well-being during retirement. Studies have shown that gardening can reduce stress, improve mood, and provide a sense of purpose, especially for seniors.
“It gives me something to do every day, and it’s good exercise too,” she said.
The physical activity involved in planting, watering, and weeding helps maintain mobility, while the mental stimulation of planning and caring for plants keeps the mind engaged.
Hurn expressed gratitude for the competition, saying it not only brought residents together but also helped keep their community vibrant.
Competition organiser Karen Sanders echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the event allowed Fairlands residents to share their passion for gardening while showcasing the village’s sense of community to potential residents.
