Today, our food garden on Spier Wine Farm covers roughly a hectare. On what was formerly an old horse paddock, Megan and her team cultivate a bounty of nutrient-rich and delicious fruits, herbs, salad greens and vegetables.
No inorganic pesticides or artificial fertilisers are used; instead, much effort is spent to ensure the soil is healthy so that the plants have a robust immune system to withstand attacks by pests. Worm compost and weekly foliar sprays (a natural form of fertiliser) boost nutrients. Alien vegetation removed from other parts of the farm has been chipped and turned into mulch; this has helped ensure the food garden’s soil is now rich with microbial activity.
When it comes to taking care of unwelcome critters, Megan gets help from our ducks and chickens. Our gaggle of Indian Runner ducks roam freely through the garden during the day, snacking on snails and slugs and sleeping in mobile enclosures at night. Our chickens, much like our ducks, play a great part in helping gobble up unwanted pests like slugs, snails, small rodents, and a variety of weeds. They also help keep the soil alive and fertile without turning it over.
Megan’s dog, Lufie, doesn’t just provide company: he keeps a protective eye over the ducks and chickens, and scares off Egyptian geese, guinea fowl, and rock pigeons too!
The fruits of our labour serve a dual purpose: they’re a key ingredient in the dishes served at our restaurants and also find their way to the shelves of the Spier Cowshed, as well as a select few local retailers and restaurants.
During lockdown, the farm’s produce was donated to about 600 vulnerable families in nearby communities as part of relief packs. These packs were supplemented with seedlings and guidance on how to grow food. 11 families in Lynedoch have started food gardens to provide their families and community with nutritious food. With Megan’s support, six gardens were also established by Spier staff members in our staff village in March 2020.
In 2020, in partnership with the Sustainability Institute, Spier recruited 13 local community members to increase food production on the farm and learn how to grow their own fresh, nutritious produce at home. Megan provided hands-on training in demonstration plots at Spier, ably assisted by her deputy, Lonwabo Mfenguza, a graduate of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association of South Africa (BDAASA) two-year course on the holistic growing of food. Eight of these community members continue to work with Megan.
"They have all really blossomed, learning and growing so much. It’s so inspiring to see!" says Megan. "I’m lucky to work with such a great team, full of laughter and enthusiasm."
She says each team member has found their own niche. Lorenzo is the "muti man" – making sure the garden’s biodynamic feeding programmes are implemented and goggas are dealt with. Nathan is the "techie"; wielding a toolbox, he has a keen interest in maintaining irrigation and fixing things. Sandra manages the sowing of seedlings, while Yolanda is the "soil room superstar" in charge of planting. Felicia, the "salad and herb queen", has incredible attention to detail; she puts a lot of passion and effort into the finer, more delicate crops. Lucretia and Agnes are the "worker bees", doing whatever tasks need to be done.
Visit the Spier Food Garden
More than just a garden, this space is a hub for learning and community engagement. Through activities like self-harvests, tours, and workshops, we emphasise the value of nutrition, the importance of soil health, and the joy of sharing good food.
Harvest your own produce from the food garden Monday - Saturday mornings between 09h00 to 11h00. From R170, booking in advance is essential. Comfortable shoes and a hat are recommended.
Megan personally invites you to pop in: "There’s a beautiful sense of both peace and productivity here. We hope to see you soon!"
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