De Morgenzon

Biodiversity highlights:

Area conserved – 10ha.
The driving force behind the conservation of these areas and indeed the beautification of the entire farm is owner Hilton Appelbaum. Not only has Hylton preserved what was on the farm originally, but he has undertaken to successfully propagate many of the flowering plants for further planting on the farm. At the same time, Hylton is building up a detailed database of what plants occur naturally on the farm.



Since the current owners, Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum, took ownership of the farm De Morgenzon in 2004, conservation and the regeneration of natural vegetation has been a high priority. Areas of invaded fynbos were immediately identified and set aside for alien clearing and eventual return to their once pristine state. The total area now undergoing continual rehabilitation measures in excess of 5 hectare. The area contains some fabulous examples of many varied fynbos and renosterveld species.

The driving force behind the conservation of these areas and indeed the beautification of the entire farm is owner Hilton Appelbaum. Not only has Hylton preserved what was on the farm originally, but he has undertaken to successfully propagate many of the flowering plants for further planting on the farm. At the same time, Hylton is building up a detailed database of what plants occur naturally on the farm.

Hylton, together with viticultural and horticultural teams, is also experimenting with the use of indigenous cover crops between vine rows. Unique raptor poles have been erected and the established trees are home to many owl boxes installed to encourage natural predation of vineyard pests. Hylton’s eventual goal is to see the property farmed entirely organically, using only organically certified pesticides and herbicides and continuing with the already well-established practice of composting and the use of compost tea preparations.

The rehabilitation of the farm in its entirety has been an enormous undertaking, involving the planting of thousands of diverse indigenous plant species, as well as the planting of as huge number of trees.

The future conservation plans for the farm include the extension of a small wetland area and a huge investment in erosion control to limit the loss of valuable topsoil.