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The Garden Fair 2023: A Unique Experience of Horticulture and Heritage in the Valley of a 1000 Hills

Published by Illa Thompson On 12 September, 2023

To celebrate spring, and honour our natural heritage, there will be a glorious Garden Fair at View Top Farm in Hillcrest (home to NU Driving Range) over the Heritage long weekend, 23, 24 September, supported by 1000 Hills Tourism. 

Prepare for Spring.

To plan for spring when garden preparation starts in earnest, a selection of growers; nurseries; retailers; garden product suppliers; manufacturers; landscapers; and those involved in the garden industry have been invited to showcase their wares and services.

Join us in a farm-type setting catering for those with a tiny green space, patio, window box or indoor garden; to those with larger properties and subsistence farmers.  Provision will be made to promote water-wise gardens. 

While in 1000 Hills visiting the Garden Fair, pop into Ludwig’s Star Roses in Fraser Rd and select some beautiful rose bushes for your garden and get some spring rose care and pruning tips from the rose experts.
Another worthwhile stop on the suggested self-drive heritage spring-garden jaunt is Pilgrim’s Rest in Crestholme, Waterfall– which as well as a quaint tea garden; book shop and reading lounge; and various thrift, nearly-new and collectable shops, has a plant nursery – with a range of budget-friendly plants.

Garden Fair 2023 has come about after numerous requests from growers and gardeners for an opportunity to showcase, buy and sell plants and products in the light of the Royal Show Grounds in PMB being sold and no longer available for the Witness Garden Show – which was always a calendar highlight.

1000 Hills Tourism has partnered to assist in marketing the new Garden Fair to be held on View Top Farm in Hillcrest which is the home to the NU Driving Range, Paintball, 4 x 4 course, Golf Academy, Putt-Putt course, new nine hole golf course, and more. There will be food and coffee outlets and a kiddies area on site. 

Explore the Fair … and other nurseries too.

The Fair is in Hillcrest – so once visitors have visited the Garden Fair, they are encouraged to enjoy the sites, attractions and destinations of the Valley of 1000 Hills. 

While planning a Heritage Day garden-themed meander – pop into Stonehouse Garden shop and café in Botha’s Hill – their plants enjoy one of the best views of 1000 Hills!
Woza Moya in Hillcrest has an extensive nursery of locally-sourced and budget-friendly plants. While plant shopping, there are books, crafts, white elephants, habby and good coffee to inspire you too!

Understanding that now is the time to get your garden summer ready, 1000 Hills Tourism invite garden lovers to visit the Garden Fair over Heritage long weekend, as well as consider creating a plant and garden-themed self-drive 1000 Hills meander by also visiting some extensive nurseries in the Valley of 1000 hills – such as Potting Shed Garden Centre at Pot & Kettle; Ludwig’s Star Roses; MacNut Farm (especially their Sunday Fresh Produce Market); Shongweni Market; Stonehouse; Woza Moya; Pilgrim’s Rest; the Mushroom Farm; Fig Tree Farm and over the Heritage weekend while Umgeni Steam Railway is running, visit Inchanga Craft Market at Inchanga Station which has stalls selling plants.

Good to Know: 

  • The event is FREE to the public. 
  • The fair is open 8.30 until 4pm
  • NU Driving Range is in Shongweni Road, Hillcrest.
  • From Pmb / Durban – travel on M13 – take exit 31 (Plantations / Shongweni offramp)
  • From Hillcrest – continue straight down Shongweni Road (past Plantations) and over the M13.
  • Stand Holders will be charged minimal fees just to cover expenses.
  • There are still stalls available.
  • Well behaved dogs on a leash are welcome.
  • For more information: gardenfairkzn@gmail.com
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