Get your hands dirty, grow something good, and win a voucher for your garden!
Western Cape, South Africa (02 April 2026) – A new competition launched by CapeNature is giving schools and communities the chance to create indigenous gardens, win a R2000 gardening voucher, and do something good for the environment!
CapeNature has been running its Greening initiatives for years, focusing on urban and community environmental sustainability through tree planting, creating green spaces, and promoting indigenous gardening. By partnering with schools and community groups to create and maintain green spaces across the province, learners and residents learn about biodiversity, climate change, and how to live more sustainably.
The initiative also forms part of CapeNature’s Plant One Million Trees campaign, which feeds into the government’s Plant 10 Million Trees goal. Big numbers, but it starts one seedling at a time…and that’s where you come in!
This year, CapeNature is launching the Grow Green Together garden competition for schools and communities across the Western Cape. The idea is to improve your garden by planting indigenous plants, capture your transformation in photos or video, and show off what you’ve created.
There’s a prize on the table, too. The best indigenous garden transformation will win a R2000 gardening voucher! The competition runs from 13 April to 15 May 2026, launching on International Plant Appreciation Day.
CapeNature will also be working directly with selected schools and communities, providing seedlings, indigenous plants, gardening tools, and environmental education programmes to help get things off the ground.
“CapeNature encourages residents of the Western Cape to plant indigenous plants and trees during the winter months, when rainfall is more frequent, and water is usually more readily available,” says Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature. “Planting during this period generally increases the chances of successful growth and establishment with natural rainfall supporting healthy root development. Local nurseries are always ready to assist with knowledge on what plants are suited to the many niche habitats across the Province.”
Pop into your local nursery and they’ll point you towards the right plants for your specific area – the Western Cape has dozens of distinct habitats, and there’s something indigenous and beautiful for all of them.
Why should you grow indigenous plants?
For one, they are built for this place! Indigenous plants are adapted to local soil, temperatures, and seasonal change. Once established, they largely look after themselves, meaning they are hardier, less thirsty, and more resilient.
They also support local wildlife. Birds, insects, bees, frogs, and reptiles all depend on indigenous plants. Butterflies will only lay their eggs on specific host plants – almost always indigenous ones. Want butterflies? Plant their favourites!
They create corridors for nature. Urban development fragments natural habitats daily. An indigenous garden can replace some of that lost vegetation and create pathways for birds and insects to move through our cities.
The Western Cape’s biodiversity is extraordinary and rare, and it faces real pressure from urban growth and climate change.
Lastly, indigenous gardens also help improve air quality, cool down urban heat spots, and give birds, insects, and other wildlife somewhere to go. Every garden counts.
To enter the Grow Green Together competition, share the below CapeNature poster on social media, then email your before-and-after photos or a short video (max 30 seconds) to sjavu@capenature.co.za before 15 May 2026.
Happy gardening!
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