Gardening with grace
Back to her story, she shares that when her gardeners came to her house, she would not just sit and watch them work. Instead, she would engage them and ask them as many questions as she can. It was this curiosity that fuelled her love for Gardening. She would later turn to the good old Youtube to learn more and refine her skills. And the hours spent absorbing all that knowledge came handy last year during the lockdowns.
“I kept myself busy, sharing with people about my love for Gardening on social media. At the time, I didn’t think much about this, and didn’t think that it was a big deal,” she says.
But soon, as luck would have it, those who share a similar passion and even those who were interested in taking this path noticed her. She soon found herself having to open a Facebook Page, Gardening in Botswana with Loago Tshomane which has close to 50 000 followers. “Within two weeks after opening the page, I had around 5000 followers,” she says.
She also points out that on the page, she would post something, and that her followers would enquire about where she bought it. “They would ask about a particular arrangement, which would be nowhere to be found,” she shares. And that is how, she finally evolved and took the giant leap to share her love for gardening in a completely new way. She further says that her centre is not just a garden shop, but goes beyond that. “We sell plants, tools and ornaments. In short, we are a one stop flower shop that sells fertilizers, fruit trees, and even lawns,” she notes. Her next consignment, she says will comprise of fruit trees, and she is urging her clients to be on the look out for them and other exciting development. She also points out that for those who are still newbies in gardening, she will take time for them to teach and guide them on this new journey.
“When you come through as a beginner, we will teach and share information with you,” she says.
Going back to her Facebook page, she shares various tips, and information such as how to prepare soil, types of plants, and just about anything related to gardening.
“I want to educate more than just selling,” says Tshomane.