Winter pruning for roses - Julip Landscaping


Rose Care - Winter pruning

Why should you prune your roses?

Pruning roses helps to maintain the shape and health of a rose bush. Dead or unhealthy wood is removed, beautifying the bush, as well as eliminated pest infected limbs. Pruning also encourages new, healthy growth and inspires larger, better-lasting blooms.

When is the best time for pruning?

In the Western Cape, a hard winter prune is best in late July to early August. Pruning too soon will mean any tender new growth may take strain in the cold, windy weather. Pruning too late will delay the spring blooms.

General pruning and shape maintenance can take place year-round. Remove any disease infected limbs and dead-head regularly.

How to prune?

Make sure your shears are clean and sharp. Start by removing any and all soft new growth. From there, work your way down to the hard, old stems. Take your time as to not injure yourself on any thorns.

In general, for any bush rose, the aim is to cut the rose down to half of its full-summer size. New growth will grow from these older branches, so be brave and cut away. In the end, you should end up with a couple of bare branches sticking out of the ground, like in the pictures below.

Climbing roses are the same. Prune back until only the main stems remain. It can be difficult as the branches lock together when intertwining, so prune what you can reach.

Standard roses, prune back to main stems, as with bush roses.

 What else?

Not much else needs to be done. Wait for spring before feeding again, to avoid forcing the rose to bud early. Make sure all main climbing branches on climbing roses are fanned out for the best effect. Remember, with roses, the more you prune, the greater the growth and reward.

Bush rose- hard pruned:

Climbing rose- Pruned to main branches

Need help?

For all of your rose-care needs, feel free to give Julip Landscaping a call on 079 660 2063. 

Pop down to Ludwigs roses at chart farm for the best rose selection.

Gastroesophageal reflux in dogs - Kenilworth Vet

Last month we looked at vomiting in the dog and when we need to be concerned. After a bit of feedback we have been asked to talk about Gastroesophageal reflux which although not often diagnosed can also cause vomiting.

RELUX OESOPHAGITIS , GERD OR ACID REFLUX is a condition seen in both cats and dogs.

As the name suggests gastroesophageal reflux is the involuntary regurgitation of stomach or intestinal fluids into the oesophagus, the tube that connects our stomach to our throat. As these fluids are involved in the breakdown of food, they contain acid, pepsin and bile as well as other caustic substances that can cause damage and inflammation to the delicate mucosal lining of the oesophagus (oesophagitis).

GERD is seen in both dogs and cats. Young animals with congenital defects such as hiatal hernias are more likely to suffer from this condition.

Regurgitation is quite different from vomiting. In vomiting the body is actively trying to expel the unwanted substance. You will see your dog or cat preparing to vomit, however regurgitation is spontaneous and simply just happens.

·        regurgitaion of undigested food
·        fluid or mucus
·        excessive salivation
·        weight loss or loss of appetite
·         gulping or swallowing
·         persistent cough

There are many other serious conditions that could be causing similar symptoms. If your pet is showing any of these symptoms it would be advisable to seek veterinary help.


If your vet suspects oesophageal reflux he may wish to perform blood tests, take xrays or refer you to a specialist who can perform a procedure called an oesophagoscopy which involves moving an internal camera through the oesophagus to look for inflammation or changes in the mucosal lining.

The results of these tests will be enable your vet to give a more accurate diagnosis.

Most cases once diagnosed can be treated
successfully at home. A change of diet may
be required with medications to coat and
soothe the oesophagus lining. If infection is present antibiotics may be also be indicated.

Anne Makin


Dear Residents

In the past month there have unfortunately been several incidents of common robbery in the Village and the surrounding suburbs.  Pedestrians or residents leaving their home have been robbed of their cell phones/handbags by suspects who sometimes use dangerous weapons and who more often than not are using motor vehicles or scooters as their getaway vehicle. We recommend that you take time to read the following advice
  • Do not linger at your property gates when saying good bye to guests.
  • If arriving at a residence which does not have an active doorbell, remain in your vehicle and call the person you are visiting on your cell phone to ask them to let you in.
  • Be alert of your surroundings - these are opportunistic crimes and they happen very quickly.
  • Please do not try to be a hero, your life is worth more than your possessions.
  • Remain calm and try to recall any information that could be helpful to a first responder.
  • Try to give the responders quick and clear descriptions of the suspects and if possible any details of a vehicle that may have been used during the crime. This information needs to be given to SAPS, private security providers, and HNW patrollers as soon as possible.
  • Report crime to SAPS to obtain a case number as suspects cannot be detained without it.
  • Receive trauma counselling as soon as possible. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at Claremont SAPS on 021 657 2281.
If your car or motor bike registration plate is stolen or lost PLEASE report this to SAPS immediately - even if it is only written in the OB (observation book) in the charge office. Vehicles are often linked to crimes such as housebreaking and armed robberies. Criminals use plates from their stash which are either stolen plates, cloned or merely picked up along the way. Let us not make their 'job' easier!
Kind regards
JENNI COLEMAN            +27 (0)81 412 6109

Patchwork | July In The Garden

Plant List for July:Broad Beans, Beetroot, Chard/Spinach, Cape Gooseberry, Celery, Chives, Chili Peppers, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Potato, Radish, Tomato

Tip of the Month:
It's freezing! Winter is a time of contraction, hibernation and far slower underground growth due to far lower temperatures. Thus, there really aren't many vegetables that grow well/thrive in these cold conditions and the rain should hopefully take care of watering for us.

July is perhaps the month in the year with the least need for human involvement in food gardening.

So, here is this month's gardening tip: Stay warm, and perhaps go through old clothes and bedding to pass some of what you do not need anymore on to the many who could literally be freezing to death on the streets. Let's share the warmth this Winter!


Lyn's Recipe - Tia Maria


250mls (1 cup) water
315mls (1 ¼ cups) sugar
90mls (7 tablespoons) instant coffee
5mls (1 teaspoon) vanilla essence
375mls Vodka
1ml salt


1. Simmer water, sugar and instant coffee together for 15 minutes.
2.  Remove from the heat and add the vanilla essence.
3. When cold, add vodka and salt and then pour into a bottle.
4. This liqueur keeps well.

Makes 500 to 525 mls.

Tel +27 21 674 1120 / +27 82 846 0739

What is banting?

Garfield had it right when he said "Diet is just die with a T at the end". The term is synonymous with starvation and deprivation, But what if i told you, that you could lose kilograms and centimetres by eating delicious food?

What is Banting really, and what sets it apart from the rest?

Banting refers to a diet high in good quality saturated fats and containing no more than 50g of net carbohydrates per day.

The 5 golden rules of Banting:

 No sugar
 No wheat
 No seed oils
● Fats are your friends
● Eat real food

The 5 perks of Banting:

 Easy to do
● Includes moderate protein
  Delicious and here to stay

It may take a little convincing, but I think the science speaks for itself.

LCHF or Low-carb High Fat is a way of eating that has been catching a great deal of prominence in the media and trending in health for a while now. But after all the excitement has come to rest, will it stand the test of time?

The end to this excitement seems far off to be quite honest, the rumblings in the media – whether good or bad – just keeps the ball rolling. Now I am not claiming that Banting is the cure of every ill, but it does seem that this way of eating is here to stay.

LCHF is simply eating whole foods that are low in carbohydrates, eating a moderate amount of protein and eating enough healthy fats to curb hunger.Whether you are an absolute carnivore or enjoy chomping on your greens, Banting may be adapted to every individual's needs and for every ethical system, religious affiliation and palate. Don't eat meat on certain days or at all? No problem! Keeping things Kosher or holding fast to Halaal? Banting is completely flexible.

In the long run Banting is far cheaper if you know how to shop and what to look out for.As a Banter you are spoilt for choice – there are hundreds of recipes that not only caters to to the fussiest eater, but are far more delicious than their high carb alternative.

Losing weight and improving general health can actually be delicious!

Banting in it's current form is the brainchild of prof Tim Noakes, South African author, university lecturer of sport science, general practitioner and comrades marathon runner.

So why the term "Banting"? Well, its namesake William Banting was a British undertaker desperate to lose weight. His doctor, William Harvey, recommended he eat more fat and drop his carbs. Banting experienced such an astonishing weight loss he wrote an open letter to the public "Letter on Corpulence". It became more popular as people started losing weight and the term Banting, or to Bant became popular. Though Banting as we know it today is very much adapted, and may rightfully called Eisbein, Banting is catchy – certainly more catchy than LCHF!

William banting

Why the low-carb and sugar free stance?

Some scientists believe that our ancestors have started eating grains and sugars only a relatively short period of time ago and so it is believed that the human body, due to not having adapted to being able to effectively metabolize these foods, causes a metabolic disorder and ultimately insulin resistance and by extension inflammation and insulin resistant related diseases.

So what about the "balanced diet" or the "Food pyramid"?

The dietary pyramid by Ancel Keys was a sham. The vilification of fat unfounded. The fear of fat has eclipsed the fact that sugar and grains are inflammatory and  in the arteries brain, liver, digestive tract, joint and lead to diseases that have been called "incurable". Contrary to popular belief, many find relief after turning LCHF and in particular the Banting variation.

What should your plate REALLY look like?

This is ultimately up to the individual, but there are certain guidelines that give fantastic results it is a balance between the right nutrition and curbing hunger, while remaining in fat burning mode.

The guidelines are simple - 70-75% fat, 20-25% protein and 5-10% carbs.
This comes to about:

 25g of carbohydrates to lose weight or 50g of carbohydrates to maintain weight
● 1g/kg of of your weight net protein
● Enough fat to keep you feeling full

So where does Insulin resistance come in?

Simply put the more carbohydrates or sugar you eat , the more insulin you need to use. The more insulin you need, the more fat is stored. The worst part of this is that this process drives hunger and you eat even more. This downward spiral may cause you to become fat, pre-diabetic and in some cases obese. The reverse also rings true: Less carbohydrates mean lower insulin levels and that you will lose excess fat.

The easiest way to increase your insulin levels is to eat more carbohydrates, while the easiest way to lower insulin levels is simply to eat fewer carbohydrates.

It makes sense then to limit carbohydrate, not so? But in a culture where we have been told that a certain amount of carbohydrates is required to be fit and healthy, but what is being called "required" is much greater than necessary.

The Real Meal Team has found that the best possible results come when the average person sticks to a limit of 50g of carbs daily to maintain their weight and 25g and under to promote weight-loss. This puts the body into the state of ketosis, which is where the "magic" begins.
Check out this video for a simple, easy to understand explanation about the relationship of fat cells, insulin and sugar.

Find out more about Jonathan Lee Ching, local Banting Coach

Get the Banting course when you join  my group here:

What does a chiropractor do? A Quick guide.

What is a chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a type of doctor who has a focus on diagnosing and managing pain and injuries that affect the joints, muscles, and nerves. The process involves taking a full medical history and performing a physical examination to find the cause of the problem, then treating both the cause and the symptoms or, in select cases, referring to a more appropriate healthcare specialist.

A Chiropractor

What is a fixation?

When your spine is put under stress - which can be intense and sudden or minor but prolonged - the joints, muscles, and nerves respond by tightening up and becoming more sensitive. This is what chiropractors call a ‘fixation’. This can happen at one segment or multiple and can build up for a while before you notice it. The problem comes in when the area becomes so overloaded that the muscles spasm up, inflammation sets in, and the surrounding nerves start firing off - now you have pain, loss of movement, and even decreased nerve function affecting all sorts of things. Chiropractors reduce areas of fixation by using a technique called ‘manipulation’.

A Common Site of Joint Stress

What is ‘manipulation’?

A manipulation (also called an ‘adjustment’) is a manoeuvre performed by a chiropractor to relieve a fixation in the spine (although it can be done in any joint in the body). It is a small, fast impulse transmitted into the fixated joint by a well-trained hand (and no - it doesn’t usually hurt). The impulse causes a reflexive release of the tension around the area and aids the release of any muscle spasm. This relief can be felt straight away, but the complete effects can take hours to days to fully develop.

This Is Where The Magic Happens

Often you may hear or feel a ‘pop’ or ‘click’ during the manipulation - this is nothing breaking, but a simple gas release inside the joint fluid. It is a sign that the joint has gone through its full normal range of motion and should now have more space to move. [Aside: Although great relief is often associated with the ‘pop’, research shows that patients will get better whether a ‘pop’ is heard or not so do not worry if you didn’t.]

What else do chiropractors do?

Posture & Ergonomics Are Important

Your chiropractor may use other pain relieving techniques such as dry needling (a type of acupuncture), trigger-point therapy, massage techniques, ice spray, joint or muscle taping, etc. We may also prescribe you certain stretches or exercises, recommend certain pain-management techniques, and /or give you advice on posture and ergonomics. A chiropractor is also qualified to assess your diet, give you an exercise program, and teach you techniques to manage mental and emotional stress.

And this what we do here at The Chiropractic Health Centre. If you’d like to learn more, read about what to expect during and after treatment [link:], simply give us a call, or even just pop in to say hello.

Thank you for reading.

6 Herschel Road, Claremont, 7708
Tel: 021 683 2996

Winter Weight Gain - don't let it happen to you!

Is it normal to gain weight during winter? 
Gaining weight in winter should not be normal, but it does seem to happen for many people, therefore probably making it the norm!  But it should not be.  Our body functions in the same way in summer and winter, what changes is how we feel, what we do, what we eat etc.

Why is it so common to gain weight during winter and then lose it in summer?
We tend to gain weight in winter because we exercise less, eat more comfort foods, eat bigger portions, and because we wear more clothes, it is often not as noticeable or we feel we can hide it!
In summer, when it gets hot and we start wearing less clothing we become aware of the weight gain and often go on quick fix diets to lose weight.  It also seems easier in summer as we are able to eat colder foods (more fruit, yoghurts, salads etc.) and portions tend to be smaller too.

What types of people are most likely to gain weight during winter?
There is no literature on who actually eats more in winter.  I think generally people eat more and therefore gain weight. 
One part of the answer is those people who are emotional eaters.  This means that when they feel more emotional, they tend to go to food for comfort. 
Winter is an especially ‘emotional’ time as we see less of the sun and therefore some people suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or otherwise known as ‘winter blues’ or ‘winter depression’ with symptoms of appetite increase, carbohydrate craving, weight gain and increased sleeping rather than decreased appetite and insomnia.
Also, because we are colder during this time we often want to eat to warm up – by eating our bodies need to digest the food and this would increase our bodies temperature slightly.  

Is there a chemical reaction in the brain that increases our appetite in colder weather?
The only theories in brain chemical changes in winter apply to SAD patients, but this may give an indication of changes that generally occur in winter.
Melatonin is secreted in response to darkness, so there is more melatonin around in winter when the nights are longer than the days.  Patients with SAD have greater seasonal fluctuations in their melatonin rhythm.
In some cases, low serotonin activity may contribute to the symptoms of SAD.  Another possible link is altered tryptophan responses.  The symptoms of SAD could also be low levels of dopamine and/or norepinephrine in the brain.

Do we need to buy and stock our fridges with different food during winter?
It is important to remember that summer and winter eating need to be different in terms of what foods you choose.  Generally we crave warmer foods and meals in winter and struggle eating the colder foods.  Foods such as soups, stews, chillies, curries and casseroles are very comforting in winter, and if made with little or no oil and eaten in the reasonable portions these foods are perfect meals.  If you are struggling to eat fruit, stew or microwave it to make it more suitable to the season.   Instead of yoghurt choose a glass of milk warmed up with some added cinnamon or vanilla for a tasty snack.  Similarly with your cereal, have it with warm milk or make yourself porridge, so that you can have a delicious and comforting start to your day.  As long as you remain conscious of portions, and listen to your body’s hunger and satiety signals, your weight should not shift this winter!

Also remember that if you continue exercising at the same intensity as you do in summer then you can continue eating the quantities you were, but if you decrease your exercise you will need to decrease your portions as well, so it would be in your best interest to stay exercising!

Keep warm and enjoy the winter!

Office - (021) 674 4666
Cell - 084 206 2715
E-mail -


The landlord-tenant relationship is often a complex one, evidenced by the continuing string of queries we receive on our webpage in this regard. It is an eye-opener to read as it highlights the various difficulties that can arise. If you are currently a landlord or tenant, do visit the blog page here

1. The sub-tenant problem
A landlord’s recent post on our website addressed an often misunderstood aspect of residential leases, being the principles regulating sub-letting, the answer to which we will discuss below.  The problem was the following:
“The lease on one of my rental properties was going to expire and 30 days before that, I contacted the tenant and he indicated that he was not renewing but had interested parties to take-over. I subsequently met the interested party, and a new lease agreement was signed commencing 1 July 2016. The former tenant moved out on the 29th June and his deposit with interest was refunded.
A complication then arose, because the former tenant had 2 ladies staying with him, whose names were not on the lease agreement, and who are now basically refusing to move out of the one bedroom. They are now also becoming extremely audacious and not giving me a valid reason for their refusal, but threatening with taking the matter to the Housing Tribunal. “

Before we address our answer to the problem statement, let’s have a look at the formal law relating to sub-letting in the residential lease scenario.

2. Sub-letting
A lease agreement is in essence a contract between two parties whereby the lessor (owner/landlord) agrees to give the lessee (tenant) temporary use and enjoyment of a thing (house, vehicle, etc) wholly or in part, for remuneration (rent).
A lease agreement in respect of immovable property need not be in writing. (Note though that an amendment to the Rental Housing Act has been passed making it an obligation to reduce lease agreements to writing. The amendment has, as of date hereof, not yet come into operation.)  Once the agreement has been concluded, orally or in writing, the tenant will be a lawful possessor of the leased premises.

The question then arises whether the tenant may sub-lease the premises. Under common law, the answer is yes, a tenant has the right to sub-lease. In such an instance, the “principal tenant” becomes the landlord of the sub-tenant.
However, unless the transaction is specifically structured differently with the consent of the “principal landlord”, the sub-tenant only has a legal relationship with the “principal tenant”. This means that any issues the sub-tenant may have with regard to the premises, be it dampness or faulty wiring, must be reported to the “principal tenant” who is then obliged to address these in terms of the agreement with the sub-tenant.

So too, if the landlord wishes to raise concerns – for example regarding the tenant’s maintenance obligations of the leased premises or address complaints received regarding noise – he will address this with the principal tenant (and not with the subtenant with whom the landlord has no legal relationship).  The same applies with regard to the landlord’s claim for repairs resulting from damage to the leased premises against the “principal tenant” on expiry of the lease.

In practice, a large majority of lease agreements simply exclude the tenant’s common law right to sublease and prohibit this outright or others provide that subletting is only allowed with the prior written consent of the landlord.  It is understandably prudent to ensure that a lease has such a provision, to protect the interests of both the landlord and tenant. 

The solution to the problem statement
It was not noted in the problem statement, quoted in paragraph 1 above, whether or not the right to sub-lease was retained in the lease agreement or not. Nonetheless, clearly the subtenants cannot have greater rights than those granted to the tenant in terms of his agreement with the landlord. Since the lease agreement between the initial tenant and landlord had expired due to the lease period coming to an end, the two ladies no longer had the right to remain there and were thus in unlawful possession of the property.

The landlord would need to evict them by obtaining a court order to that effect. (The Rental Housing Tribunal does not have jurisdiction to order eviction.)

Contact Martin Sheard at 021 673 4700 or at is assistance is required.