Autumn in the Somerset West Village Garden

There’s something about this time of year in our village – the long, warm days slowly giving way to cooler mornings, and a gentle shift in what’s growing around us. In the Somerset West Village Garden, that seasonal change is in full swing.

Water Matters 

Even with the lingering heat we’ve experienced this past month, things are looking good in the garden. 

One of the biggest wins lately has been the move to full drip irrigation across the garden. You can really see the difference – healthier plants, stronger growth, and better yields, all while using far less water. With minimal run-off and evaporation, it’s a much more efficient way of watering, and it’s helped keep fungal diseases at bay, too.

With talk of stricter water restrictions in Cape Town in the coming months, this upgrade (along with the garden’s borehole) brings a lot of peace of mind as we head toward winter.

What’s Growing

There’s plenty coming out of the garden right now – aubergines, beans, carrots, green peppers, spinach, kale, and a particularly good crop of purple sweet potatoes this year.

As the seasons begin to shift, some beds are being prepped for cooler-weather crops like cabbage, broccoli, peas and broad beans. The team has been enriching the soil with compost, along with additions like Eco Buzz Humigro and Bio Rock – both generously donated and great for boosting soil health and plant growth.

Meanwhile, the cauliflowers planted in January are thriving and on track for a May harvest.

A Clever New Addition

Another highlight is the new charcoal cooler, built towards the end of last year. It’s an off-grid cooling space that helps keep freshly harvested vegetables cool before market days. Using a simple evaporative cooling method, it’s a smart, sustainable solution – and a great example of the kind of practical innovation happening in the garden.

If you haven’t visited in a while, autumn is a lovely time to pop in. Fresh, organic vegetables are available every Tuesday from 09:00 - 11:00, and there’s always something new to see growing!