I think autumn has become my favourite season here in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, as summer’s heat takes a step back, allowing for a gentle transition to cooler mornings and evenings. The rain – although we have had very wet late summer rains this year – slackens off, creating a perfect balance that nourishes the earth without overwhelming it. The deep greens of the foliage begin to show flashes of red, gold, and yellow, transforming the landscape into a vibrant tapestry of colors that signal the arrival of change. As I stroll through the crisp air, I can’t help but notice how the local wildlife seems to become more active, foraging in preparation for the cooler months ahead. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves fills the atmosphere, evoking a sense of nostalgia and peace that only autumn can bring.
My one personal project, that of the natural swimming pool, I have put on hold for a while as I navigate through various challenges and priorities. During this time, I have succumbed to activities such as cleaning out, refilling, and chlorinating the water, which has proven to be more labor-intensive than I initially anticipated. In this process, I have also found myself rescuing a few fish that had inadvertently made their way into the main pool, ensuring their safe return to a more suitable habitat. While engaging in these necessary tasks, my focus has shifted towards establishing the swamp/fish pond as a proper natural filter, a project I envision will provide ecological benefits to the overall landscape. I am dedicated to growing the correct plants that will thrive in this environment and landscaping it more effectively to enhance its functionality and aesthetic appeal, creating a harmonious balance between nature and design.
The heavy rain had also swept mud into the pool due to the ground being so sodden that one particular cloud burst had nowhere else to go. A shopping spree tracking down plants that thrive in a wetland – surprisingly, not an easy task – led me to several distinct nurseries where I discovered a variety of options that could flourish in such conditions. After careful selection, a clutch of plant boxes from a local charity shop has seen the pond become more of what it is supposed to be, a vibrant ecosystem brimming with life. The fish, including the ones rescued from the main pool, seem very happy with new nooks, crannies, and root systems to explore, darting amongst the foliage and basking in the sunlight filtering through the water’s surface. When winter arrives, some of the plants will naturally die back, e.g., the water lilies, shedding their vibrant green leaves in a way that marks the changing seasons. However, I’ve been informed that this die-back is normal and part of the natural cycle, allowing room for growth in the spring. Eventually, the plants will establish themselves and actively clear the water, creating a healthier habitat for the aquatic life. Then I plan to construct a pebbly stream that flows down into the main pool, adding both beauty and function to the landscape, as well as rebooting my ultimate goal of creating a serene natural oasis that attracts a diverse range of wildlife.
In the meantime I will devote some time in ‘grooming’ the hillside forest further, continuing to eradicate the jasmine and a few of the remaining gum trees. The paths are looking good, some even having a nice covering of lawn grass, probably helped along by the horses spreading a fair amount of grass seed in their meanderings – Shadow, the Frisian, especially likes to nibble on the dahlias which have firmly established themselves up there, adding haphazard splashes of colour throughout the greenery.
