Growing up on a farm gave me an affinity for the farm life, finding joy in working with my hands in the great outdoors. Fueled by my passion, I pursued horticulture studies in the early 1990's, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling career while progressing into the retail sector.
Venturing further into my green journey, I made my way into landscaping and irrigation in Johannesburg. Settling in White River, I embarked on a new chapter, adding a wholesale nursery to my landscaping business.
Driven by my passion for peonies, I made the bold decision to relocate the family to Himeville in pursuit of the ideal climate for cultivating this high-value crop. These steps were the beginning of an exciting journey.
Farm life starts at sunrise as we schedule our tasks with the weather forecasts. Mornings are often spent harvesting, followed by any post-harvest treatments. Our afternoons are filled will activity, processing orders and carefully packing flowers for shipment. In between it all, I oversee the amazing team, coordinating the general maintenance of Mzuri farm, all while keeping a vigilant eye on the shifting weather patterns around nearby mountains, sometimes changing two or three times within a single day.
Peony season is a 12-hour, seven-day-a-week operation where every hand is on deck. Our blooms go through cold storage before weekly shipments countrywide. Maintaining a precise temperature of 2 degrees Celsius throughout transport is essential to preserve quality. Only when the flowers have reached the customer are the stems trimmed; placed in water where they will open.
Beginning with just over a hectare of peonies, we soon recognized the challenge of a limited harvest period, especially considering seasonal staff availability and our current pack shed capacity. To address this, we strategically diversified our peonies. Each peony variety blooms for two weeks with an overlap period giving us 6 weeks of picking, extending our harvest season and ensuring a continuous supply of fresh blooms.
Our journey with peonies initially led us to plan for an additional hectare as part two of our journey. However, recognizing the limitation of harvesting during a brief six-week period, we pivoted. By integrating hybridized plants for cut flowers, we expanded. To achieve year-round harvest capability, we imported tissue-cultured plants from Holland and we cultivate them in tunnels. This strategic move not only added to our product range but also allows us to provide steady employment opportunities for local women, fostering sustainable growth within our community.
Working with nature presents our greatest challenge—be it hailstorms, late frosts, or sudden downpours. Juggling staff management and fluctuating shifts during peak seasons adds an extra layer to our operations, keeping us alert and always on our toes. The trials of Eskom and loadshedding test our patience, yet we persistently find solutions to overcome these obstacles. In one particularly memorable instance, a shortage of jet fuel derailed a massive overseas order. Swift action was imperative as we redirected the shipment to another client in a different country.
At the farm, working with nature guides our every decision. Using Indian Runner ducks for slug and snail control exemplifies our eco-conscious approach, minimizing the need for pesticides except in dire circumstances. When we do spray, we meticulously time our applications to avoid disrupting pollinator activity, safeguarding these vital contributors to our ecosystem.
Peonies, a non-traditional South African crop, made it challenging in sourcing beautiful floral material. We embraced innovation and had our own signature fabric made. From these beautiful flowers and fabrics, we craft a range of locally, handmade products that are showcased in our farm gift shop.
Our flower range includes Peonies, Magical delphiniums, Frost Kiss Hellebores, Magical Hydrangeas plus limited quantities of Giant Poppy Pods, Tuberoses, Chincherinchees, Daffodils, and Ranunculus with room to expand our offering in the near future.
