'My garden was my life-saver'

Despite a lack of water – and with a hefty dose of courage – Nicky Handfield has managed to create an awe-inspiring garden.

Undeterred by the hard clay soil, brutal South-Easter and the hot summer sun, Nicky Handfield and her right-hand man, Otto Chitekeshe, set about transforming a piece of veld into a breathtaking garden.

“It wasn’t easy,” admits Nicky. “The conditions were harsh and the soil was extremely compacted. I initially considered just a long, narrow bed in front of the house, but as we went along I couldn’t stop myself! I had no defined plan for the garden, it simply evolved into what it is today.”

Nicky’s gorgeous garden, with its spectacular view of the Stellenbosch mountains, consists mainly of waterwise plants, many of them indigenous. Not much was bought new; most were grown from cuttings, and plants such as artichoke, gaura and cosmos multiply by setting seed every year.

“I’ve been battling cancer over the past five years and have had to undergo bouts of chemotherapy that have made me very weak and ill,” says Nicky. “My garden was my solace. I worked in it as much or as little as my energy levels allowed. It not only fed me mentally and emotionally, but also physically – and I get to eat the most delicious home-grown organic vegetables!

“In 2016, my prognosis wasn’t very good and I thought I would have to say goodbye to my beloved garden. I wanted to make sure that what I left behind was beautiful. And now, two years later, it has been a wonderful experience to prepare my garden for a magazine feature!”

Nicky has plenty of plans for the future. She wants to plant fruit and nut trees and create a labyrinth. “I enjoy the tranquillity and energy that my garden gives me. When I stroll through it, I can take in the Simonsberg mountain in front of me and Table Mountain in the distance. These are two amazing, mighty mountains. I believe my garden helps keep me alive. At times, I was too weak to work in it or even to walk. Then I’d lie in my bed and dream about what I’d tackle next. I’m very fortunate to have Otto to help me; he understands my vision and transforms it into reality. >>