The City is promoting environmental stewardship with pruning and rose care lessons, where residents learn how to prune roses effectively.
Residents, including pupils and senior citizens, joined City staff and gardening experts to learn the art of pruning and caring for roses at a workshop. It covered pruning techniques, fertilising versus feeding, proper feeding schedules, and the best time to cut the blooms.
Participants also discovered creative uses for roses, including rose-flavoured meringues and a children’s vitamin C syrup, at the rose garden in Westridge Gardens.
“This garden is a community treasure. By working together, we’re not just caring for the roses. We are also building connections, sharing skills, and creating a space that everyone can enjoy,” said the City’s mayoral committee member for community services and health, Francine Higham.
“Workshops like these are about more than gardening. They’re about passing knowledge between generations. They also give our community the tools to take pride in our shared spaces. It was wonderful to see seniors and youth learning from one another and from the experts,” said ward councillor Ashley Potts.
Seniors especially appreciated the opportunity to share their own experiences and receive expert feedback. Meanwhile, youth enjoyed learning hands-on skills that can be applied at home or in community gardens.
The workshop formed part of a broader initiative to promote environmental stewardship, recreational opportunities, and community engagement in Mitchell’s Plain. Higham extended a special note of thanks to Zandiswa Qoma, the horticultural head, and Wayne Steyn, the superintendent. She also thanked the Westridge Gardens team for their hard work and dedication. Higham said they made the event a success and consistently cared for the garden throughout the year.
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