{"id":267232,"date":"2025-09-29T08:54:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T06:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/?p=267232"},"modified":"2025-09-29T14:29:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T12:29:56","slug":"enjoy-garden-day-with-paws-and-flower-crowns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/enjoy-garden-day-with-paws-and-flower-crowns\/","title":{"rendered":"Enjoy Garden Day with paws and flower crowns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BLOEMFONTEIN. <\/strong>After a weekend of good rain, gardener’s hands are itching to get into the garden and get everything ready for a growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year marks the 10th annual\u00a0Garden Day, taking place on\u00a0Sunday 12 October\u00a0– the perfect excuse to pause, pop on a flower crown and celebrate the joy of green spaces with your friends, family and even your pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From dogs and cats to sheep, rabbits and even horses, pets have become a beloved part of Garden Day traditions. Since the very first celebration a decade ago, South Africans have shared thousands of photos of their four-legged companions decked out in flower crowns – proving that Garden Day is a celebration for every member of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Celebrating garden day with your pets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPets and plants both have a remarkable ability to elevate our mood and give us purpose,\u201d says Master Gardener Gundula Deutschl\u00e4nder of Babylonstoren, one of the founding gardeners of the Garden Day movement and proud mom to her dog, Doring. \u201cJust as gardens provide calm, creativity and connection, pets bring companionship, joy and routine into our lives. Including them in Garden Day feels completely natural.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research supports what gardeners and pet lovers have long known: caring for plants and animals decreases stress levels, boosts productivity, and provides comfort and a sense of meaning. Whether you\u2019re watering pot plants, pruning roses, or feeding your dog, these daily rituals remind us of our essential role as caregivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A decade in bloom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garden Day began ten years ago as a simple idea: to encourage South Africans to put down their gardening tools for one day, make a flower crown, and gather with loved ones to enjoy their green spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, it has blossomed into a national movement, inspiring people of all ages – from seasoned gardeners to plant parents – to connect, create, and celebrate. Over the past decade, shifting lifestyles, the rise of plant parenting, and a growing appreciation for wellness and sustainability have only deepened our connection to gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Deutschl\u00e4nder puts it: \u201cWhether they\u2019re playing, preening or resting, most of our pets spend more time in our gardens than we do. It\u2019s only fair they get to join in the celebrations too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to celebrate with your pets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Garden Day party can be as simple or elaborate as you like and it\u2019s even better when your pets are included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n