12 3 PHOTOS: HELEN MCKERRAL 45 6 Growing media Scoownitnaginienrtso If you’re new to raising seed, consider buying Seed in containers is easier to protect from seed-raising mix instead of making your own, pests, and it’s also easier to maintain consistent at least initially. Seed-raising mix needs to be temperature and moisture. Different seeds require moist but well aerated and free draining, and different spacing and depth, which is always on the homemade mixes may contain pathogens if seed packet – a good reason to save them! A rule of not properly prepared. thumb for depth is 2–3 times the diameter of the seed, but there are exceptions: lettuce needs light to Many people sieve ordinary potting mix to germinate, so sprinkle seeds on the surface and then propagate seed. As long as it’s moist but free gently firm them before watering thoroughly. Spacing draining – water should soak away immediately is also important: crowded and over-wet seedlings – and without coarse chunks, it should be suitable. get the fungal disease ‘damping off’. Again, follow packet instructions. You can water with cold Containers chamomile tea to help prevent damping off. You can choose between flat seedling trays with Step by Step or without individual compartments (or use egg cartons), or compostable mini pots for single 1. Fill container with mix. seedlings. Also, individual pots are good for bigger 2. Smooth mix without compacting. seed and if you don’t want to prick out small 3. Moisten mix thoroughly. seedlings into pots before planting out into the 4. Sow seeds at required depth: either push them into garden. Planting into pots or mini pots reduces root disturbance and effort. Look for coir/shredded the mix or, for smaller seeds, sprinkle on the surface wood pots that are planted into the ground with the seedling, decomposing into the soil. 5. Cover with additional mix. 6. Moisten with a fine spray and check daily. Keep moist. If reusing seed trays, pots and other containers, first scrub them clean with dilute bleach. They organicgardener.com.au 51 need plenty of holes for drainage, and to be just 7–15cm deep: most seedlings have shallow roots.
ORGANIC W Mini glasshouses are Watering PHOTOS: HELEN MCKERRAL versatile. I cover mine with insect exclusion Remember just three things for success: net or shade cloth in very hot weather. 1. Be regular: seed should never dry out. 2. Use a soft rose that creates fine, gentle droplets. Getting advanced 3. When seedlings emerge, avoid watering in hot Heat trays and glasshouses midday sun while they’re tiny: it’s like steaming spinach. Place shade cloth over containers or rows If you enjoy propagating, consider a mini glasshouse or a first, then water. heated, covered tray to speed germination and growth in cooler seasons. My grandparents had a homemade cold When to sow frame in a sunny spot: a wooden sandbox with a hinged glass lid under which they raised seed in winter. It’s an Vegetables are classified as warm, cool or intermediate old-fashioned solution that has lost none of its usefulness. season. For example, tomatoes and squash are warm season: they prefer summer temperatures and are DIY seed-raising mix killed by frost. Heat pads and glasshouses are great for starting these seeds in spring when soil is still cool. As you gain confidence, make your own seed-raising mix from sieved compost or potting mix and additives. Coir Cool season crops, such as broccoli, peas and peat increases water-holding capacity (but too much can broad beans, survive in summer but perform poorly. cause seeds and seedlings to rot), vermiculite increases Intermediate season crops such as carrots and radish the water and nutrient capacity of the medium (same do best in spring, early summer and autumn. Seed potential issues as for coir peat), while perlite and packets provide instructions on the best time of year washed sand increase aeration and drainage. to sow in your region, so check before buying. There are as many recipes for homemade seed-raising Raising your seedlings mix as there are for bolognese, but a good place to start is two parts coir or sieved compost to one part perlite or Regular watering and protection from pests is washed sand. Some people mix through a little well- essential. Large plants withstand attack, but one rotted manure as well. snail can munch through your entire seedling crop in a single night! Use insect exclusion net, baits, Trickier seeds diatomaceous earth and traps pre-emptively when you sow, or before seedlings emerge. If you’re sowing Some Northern Hemisphere plants need cold on a table or something similar with legs put copper stratification: place them in the fridge for a few weeks tape around each leg to stop the snails and slugs to mimic winter. Many Australian native seeds need from making their way onto the table. scarification: hot water, sandpaper, or a scalpel breaks the hard seed coat that in nature protects them from You’ll also need to protect young seedlings from dessication or germinating in light showers. weather extremes: insect exclusion net draped over wire hoops works well for me. In mild climates, thick mulch either side of each row is often enough to protect seedlings from dessicating wind. In cool weather, use individual plastic cloches, or larger ones with (supporting) hoops. Fertilise developing seedlings fortnightly with half-strength liquid fertiliser and seaweed extract. Diatomaceous earth can stop seedlings being eaten by snails and slugs. 52
When planting out, firm down the soil and then water well. Below: If seedlings are not ready to plant out, replant into bigger pots until weather is right. PHOTOS: LEFT TOP AND BOTTOM: ISTOCK/FAR RIGHT: HELEN MCKERRAL Transplanting DIRECT SOW NG When your seedlings are ready, here’s how to plant out. Root vegetables, peas and beans do better sown direct, that is, in the ground where they are to grow. Some other 1. First, harden off your container seedlings. This vegetables, such as cucumbers, dislike being transplanted. involves moving tender seedlings into a protected During heatwaves, a layer of wet hessian laid over rows spot, then progressively to more exposed positions keeps soil moist between watering, but remove it before over a few days so that cell walls thicken and harden seedlings emerge. before you transplant into full sun. While seedlings are hardening off, control pests at the transplant site. Root vegetables are often sown quite densely, and then ‘thinned’ to the correct spacing. For example, carrots can 2. In the morning of a mild day, soak seedlings in weak be thinned initially to 2cm apart, and then alternate plants can be harvested when they are pencil thickness, seaweed solution for 15 minutes before transplanting. leaving the rest to mature. Other vegie and herb thinnings can be transplanted to create a second crop to extend 3. Prepare planting hole big enough for seedling. the harvest. 4. Tap out, or carefully prise out seedlings from When sowing direct, a fine soil tilth without rocks and big containers. If in clumps, carefully separate. Retain pieces of organic matter ensures consistent germination. as much mix as possible around the roots. Above: Some seeds such as peas, beans, cucumbers and 5. Plant out, firm down soil and water gently. root veg are best sown direct 6. Protect by mulching around seedlings and SE D AN QUIPME T S PL R providing shade in hot weather. For heirloom seeds and seed propagation equipment, try 7. Water regularly and fertilise with half-strength your local garden centre or these online suppliers: liquid fertiliser fortnightly. abseeds.com.au edenseeds.com.au diggers.com.au greenharvest.com.au You’ll find our seasonal planting guides and a detailed seed greenpatchseeds.com.au heirloomharvest.com.au sowing guide at: organicgardener.com.au/planting-guides. rangeviewseeds.com succeedheirlooms.com.au southernharvest.com.au seedfreaks.com.au seedsofplenty.com.au transitionfarm.com organicgardener.com.au 53
Wiwckead,swaonbdeirful Helen McKerral looks at the truth behind your supermarket purchase and how you can grow your own. PHOTOGRAPHY BY HELEN MCKERRAL We all love a bit of spice in our lives. Black, mayonnaise for dipping hot chips, or with butter white and Szechuan pepper, mustard, chilli, to garnish steak. It’s great with stir-fried greens, in and horseradish, rocket and watercress are all mashed potatoes, and it makes the best Bloody Mary wonderfully zesty flavours that we can grow or easily you’ve ever tasted. buy. But one of the very best spicy flavours is missing. Fresh wasabi is expensive to buy, with only a few The main ingredient in ‘wasabi’ tubes in growers supplying Australia. But why not grow your supermarkets is not wasabi at all, but horseradish. own? It’s definitely a much cheaper option, with fresh It is sharp, almost acrid, whereas fresh wasabi is wasabi costing about $330/kg online! smooth, deep, rich, sweet and rounded, with a bright sharp note that never overstays its welcome. It is, in Grow your own other words, delicious. The aromats in wasabi that create its wonderful Many of us love ‘wasabi’ with soy sauce and flavour are extremely volatile, disappearing within sashimi, but real wasabi is equally good with 30 minutes of grating, so fresh preparation is best. sushi, with chicken in Asian style broths, with No powder or paste can match it. 54
ORGANIC W AT GL N Plant autumn-s Choose a sheltered, s Use a moist, free-drainin Water daily in warm w Control snails, aph and cabbage moths Feed lightly with balanced fertiliser ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK Although wasabi is inordinately tricky to cultivate Far left: Fresh wasabi. commercially – there are only a few farms in Left: Wasabi stems growing Tasmania and Victoria – it’s much easier in home in perlite-coir mix. gardens. You’ll read online that it can’t be grown in areas where temperatures are above or below its Two varieties are commonly available here. Bright preferred range of 5–22°C, but this isn’t true. In my green ‘Daruma‘ is more disease-resistant and tolerates far-from-ideal South Australian climate, with 30°C warmer climates, whereas ‘Mazuma’ has purple tints summer temperatures common, I’ve raised plenty and takes a little longer to mature but stores longer. of decently sized stems. And a chef in Cairns – yes, Cairns – also successfully grows wasabi! The right spot At home, you can utilise all parts of this edible Choosing the right microclimate for your wasabi is plant. Toss young leaves and flowers into salads, crucial, and that depends on local conditions. If a sauté or tempura older leaves, and stir fry crunchy little spring burbles in a shady corner of your garden, leaf stalks. All have that yummy, peppery flavour. you have the perfect spot, but few of us are that lucky! Wasabi prefers dappled shade, or at least 75 The plants are beautiful, too, with large, lush per cent shade cloth. The warmer your climate, the evergreen leaves that look great in shady corners less sun plants tolerate – once young plants wilt, they where few other edibles thrive. die; older ones may recover but are set back. Wasabi family To determine the best microclimates in my garden, I placed pots with young offsets in several locations. I Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum syn. Wasabia japonica) is in lost those in solid shade from a building, where it was the brassica family, related to rocket, mustard and cool but too dark. A shady site exposed to wind failed, watercress. However, wasabi ‘roots’ are actually too. My goldilocks spot is under an oak beside a shed, above-ground rhizomes that grow over 12–30 months. providing shade in summer, bright indirect light in winter, and complete protection from wind. The wasabi plant’s natural habitat is along moist, shady creek banks in the mountainous valleys of Containers Japan – a pointer to how to treat them. Commercially, they’re grown in gravelly riverbeds with shade cloth Unsealed terracotta that cools roots through overhead, while smaller crops are in soil. evaporation is ideal. Ceramic and concrete also work well: my plants thrive in an old concrete laundry trough that stays cool throughout summer. Plastic pots are fine for propagating offsets, before transplanting them into larger containers. A large container is most convenient. Wine barrels dry out and disintegrate when used for the average pot plant but they are perfect for wasabi, which is kept moist year-round. About eight plants fit in a barrel. Some people stand pots in water, but wasabi prefers flowing, not standing, water. Wicking beds with free-draining media reportedly work very well, as do hydroponic systems. organicgardener.com.au 55
Above: My wasabi thrives in a concrete laundry tub. Planting and watering Growing media and fertiliser In any but the hottest season, plant out potted specimens to the same level as in the pot. Plant Many people grow wasabi in free-draining potting offsets 30cm apart and just deep enough to be mix with a neutral pH, but it must hold sufficient secure. Water in well, rather than firming or moisture to stay wet between waterings. This is compacting the potting mix around them. the simplest way. I set watering for these plants daily between However, I grow mine in an old laundry trough spring and autumn, and completely off during with a 3:1 mix of fine coir:perlite. At the bottom winter when it’s wet – alter to suit your climate. of the trough is a long, plastic grate to maximise Adjustable microjets or drippers are preferable to drainage and prevent the potting media blocking the sprays, so foliage stays dry and to minimise fungal small plughole. For containers with plentiful smaller disease. Set irrigation so that water runs out of the holes, this won’t be necessary. Above the grate is a 5cm bottom drainage holes for about 20 seconds: this layer of expanded clay balls, also to improve drainage. helps flush and oxygenate the medium. I then fill the trough with the coir/perlite mix. Pests and diseases A final 5cm layer of expanded clay balls covers the surface of the mix to reduce disease. Wasabi attracts the same pests that attack other brassicas. Use baits and traps for snails, Bacillus Although a fertiliser with equal parts nitrogen, thuringiensis for cabbage moths, and a sharp jet from phosphorous and potassium is recommended for the hose to remove grey aphids on stems. Soap sprays wasabi, I’ve used balanced organic fertilisers slightly for aphids mean you have to scrub stems very hard higher in nitrogen than potassium, and lower in before serving, or you’ll have slimy wasabi on the phosphorous. Pelletised or well-rotted chicken manure, plate! Encourage predatory insects such as lacewings supplemented with a little sulphate of potash works, and ladybirds for long-term control. too. I generally sprinkle a little of whatever is on hand into the trough in early spring, summer and Fungal diseases cause stem rot. The best treatment autumn at about half recommended strength: is prevention through correct cultivation, but 2.5g/l wasabi is very efficient at extracting nutrients. of wettable sulphur on foliage and stems prevents localised disease spreading, and may improve Perlite, coir and fertilisers are readily available flavour. Remove and dispose of spotty or wilted at garden centres, while expanded clay balls can leaves promptly. be found at hydroponics shops and online. 56
ORGANIC GROW Propagating Propagating wasabi is very easy. 1. When harvesting stems, gently pull off the little rooted offsets and larger side stems around the base. 2. Trim older leaves. 3. Replant immediately into small plastic pots filled with the same 3:1 coir peat/perlite mix to grow on until ready to transplant, or straight back into the original large container with a little additional fresh mix. Above left: Side stem ready for planting. Above right: Planting into pot to same depth as originally growing. Far left: mature wasabi with offsets. Left: Hold wasabi at 45 degrees when grating. Harvest and storage traditional wasabi graters (oroshigane) grind cells to pulp; a nutmeg grater is closest. Hold the wasabi at Harvest stems when they are between 10–30cm, 45 degrees and grind in a circular motion, rather usually after 18–36 months. If left in the ground for than rubbing back and forth. Carefully scrape off longer, they are prone to stem rots. pulp, roll into a ball and serve after five minutes, but no longer than 25 minutes otherwise that bright, Pry out stems using a trowel: they can snap if fresh flavour will disappear. Enjoy! pulled. Hose off dirt and remove tangled roots, then carefully trim leaves and stalks – these are perfect Suppliers for stir-fry. Store clean roots wrapped in damp paper towel in an open container in your fridge for up to Wasabi is now available in many nurseries and one month, replacing the towel every few days. garden centres, or try these online suppliers: Use daleysfruit.com.au diggers.com.au Scrub thoroughly just before use and trim off the allrareherbs.com.au bumps. Rather than slicing, the serrations of shimawasabi.com.au organicgardener.com.au 57
TTAOLKL HAVING D When it comes to small hand tools, such as trowels, Penny Woodward says look for comfort and durability to last you a gardening lifetime. PHOTO: GAP PHOTOS/TIM GAINEY Small hand tools, such as trowels, forks and a recalcitrant weed and the trowel snaps at the weeders, are an essential part of a gardener’s point where the handle attaches to the blade of arsenal, and if you garden mainly using pots, the tool (and you usually can’t fix it). they may be the only gardening tools you need. For tools you may use for a lifetime, why not find These tools come in stainless steel, heavy gauge yourself beautiful, well-made, well-balanced ones aluminium and fibreglass/nylon forms with a variety that give you pleasure each time you use them? of handles, including padded rubber, fibreglass/nylon mixes, and a choice of lovely timbers. Some come Always buy the best tool you can afford. Those with lifetime guarantees. If you can, try the tool in that are sharp, tough and function really well will save on time and effort. There is nothing Above: A wooden dibber and trowel are more frustrating when you’re trying to dig out used here for planting sweet peas. organicgardener.com.au 59
your hand before buying. If you have smaller, more Above: My four favourite well-used hand tools: copper PHOTO: PENNY WOODWARD slender hands, you may well prefer a more slender trowel, pronged weeder, dibber, hoe mi. handle. With a larger hand, or if you struggle to close your fist tightly because of arthritis, you may need well. The steel and aluminium trowels often have a thicker handle to get a proper grip. timber handles, which make them comfortable to hold and pleasant to use (the steel or aluminium You also want them to be long lasting (not prone shaft of the blade continues into the handle to ensure to rusting, or the handles perishing) and ideally, there is no weak point in the join). If you need a completely or at least partially recyclable. Luckily, lighter weight tool, go for aluminium or the most of the environmentally-friendly tools are so fibreglass/nylon mix. well made you’ll never have to replace them. Pronged weeder Finally, a colour that stands out is good, because I’m prone to leaving my tools ‘somewhere’ and These are exactly what they say they are. In my struggling to find them again. garden, dandelions seed everywhere. I let some go to seed each year to feed the tender plants to my So what tools do you need? The four I use the most chooks, for the rest I use my pronged weeder. It is are my trowel, pronged weeder, hoe mi and dibber. perfect for pulling out young plants, root and all, as well as small clumps of grass and other weeds when Hand trowel small. At a pinch it can also be used to dig small holes. Again, strength is important. These are used for a range of garden jobs, from digging holes to planting seedlings, removing weeds Hoe mi and moving soil when potting up a new plant. A sharp edge helps with penetration, especially if the Also called homi and ho-mi, these are terrific all- soil is dry and/or clay. It’s essential that both the purpose tools. Some are made in Australia, or are blade and handle are made of strong materials, imported from Japan and South Korea. They’re usually so when pressure is applied it won’t bend or break. made by blacksmiths out of high-carbon spring steel, and bent in a ‘swan neck’ style. The actual shape of I have a copper trowel, made for me by a friend. the head varies a bit and you can buy different sizes. I love it because it does everything I want and after I use the pointy tip to chip out weeds, the smooth several years of use has not been damaged or bent. edge to level soil and the whole device to dig holes. Unfortunately, these are not generally available, but high-quality stainless or high-carbon steel, solid cast aluminium and a mixed fibreglass product all work 60
Handy to have TTAOLKL There are other tools useful for specific or seasonal jobs: Hand forks for turning and opening up the surface soil. Special bulb planters for digging the hole and depositing the bulb. Scoops for lifting potting mix out of bags and into pots (I also use mine for chook food). Hand shears/shears for trimming lawn edges and plants. Weeding knives and other sharpened tools for cutting off plants just below the surface of the soil. Snips (a bit like sturdy scissors) are terrific for trimming indoor plants, harvesting a handful of herbs, microgreens, and certain vegies. PHOTOS:TOP: ISTOCK/ TOP RIGHT: ALAMY/ Dibber Top left: Stainless-steel Finding too ABOVE LEFT & RIGHT: PENNY WOODWARD. hand trowel. These surprisingly simple tools are very useful Top right: The hoe mi Head to your local garden centre when planting seeds and bulbs. Many have the is good for chipping or try these online suppliers depth marked so you can make holes to exactly weeds and digging. the right depth. I use my dibber to plant garlic Above right: Using a aussiegardener.com.au cloves, bulbs and large seeds such as bean seeds. dibber to make a hole digadoo.com.au of the right depth to fdryan.com Next issue: Penny Woodward continues our ‘Tool Talk’ plant a bulb. fiskars.com.au Above left: Pronged forestrytools.com.au series with a look at large digging tools, such as broad weeder. theseedcollection.com.au forks, shovels, spades, mattocks, power planters and more. organicgardener.com.au 61
ORGANIC ACTION Copoeraotorls Colder weather means it’s the perfect time to get cracking on garden jobs and planting. Countrywide Penny Woodward Frosts are unpredictable in many regions so keep an eye on weather forecasts for early frosts and have old sheets, curtains or frost cloth ready with a handful of pegs to keep them in place. Throw these over young plants with new growth or frost-sensitive vegies that are still producing. When sowing seeds, don’t forget your chooks. Use packets of out-of-date seeds of edible plants to sow into mixed trays to create a special treat for your chooks. Some chook wire over the top will stop them from trampling and digging the small plants. They just pull them out. For more seed planting tips see page 48. While the soil is still warm it’s the perfect time to plant trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials. If you have room, plant big clumps but also go for diversity. Don’t forget the indigenous and native plants that help attract native insects, lizards, frogs and birds into your garden. Both flowers and habitat are important. Left: Plant native perennials into warm soil now. Below: Plant old seed for chooks. PHOTOS: PENNY WOODWARD
tropical Trellis time: Set up trellises ready for climbing Above: Choose a Leonie Shanahan trellis that suits vegetables. Do this before your plants or seeds are what’s growing Boost plant strength: Are your plants planted to avoid disturbing them. A trellis can be in your garden. a variety of shapes, including a teepee or even an For example, under attack from grasshoppers or caterpillars? To archway, and serve multiple purposes. If placed at the tepees seen lessen the possibility of attack, avoid putting plants the front of a north-facing garden, it can shade through the in the wrong position, planting in the wrong season, delicate plants behind, or be a screen. Harvesting arch are perfect or even choosing plants not suited to your climate. of produce is much easier on a trellis. for beans. Perhaps your plants are lacking nutrition due to the nutrients being leached during the wet season. Plant beans: Once the wet weather has PHOTO: ISTOCK If plants are struggling, they’re more likely to be passed, it’s time to plant your bean seeds, either attacked by pests. For a short-term boost, spray bush or climbing varieties, directly into soil that is your plants with a solution of 1 tablespoon of hilled and in full sun. Pre-soak seeds in diluted molasses in 1 litre of water with some drops of seaweed solution then plant and don’t water washing detergent added. again until seed shoots have appeared. 64
ORGANIC ACTION subtropical Leonie Shanahan PHOTOS: TOP: LEONIE SHANAHAN/RIGHT: HELEN MCKERRAL/ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK Add calcium: Calcium is the ‘trucker’ of all minerals, it Above: Replant strawberries in late autumn. transports and regulates the uptake and movement of other arid/semi arid nutrients into and around the plant and roots. Calcium is Helen McKerral essential for microbial activity and beneficial fungi, creating a healthier soil and stronger plants. Boost it by adding strawberries: Late autumn is a great time agricultural lime or gypsum to your soil now. trawberries. Trim off the long runners and select Grow mushrooms: An easy and fascinating way to plantlets that are closest to the parent. At the remove dead or yellowing leaves to let more light start growing food is using a mushrooms kit. Varieties you can wn to stimulate flower buds. If plants are losing buy include the medicinal Lion’s Mane, Oyster and Shitake new mail order virus-free plants. mushrooms. It is as simple as cutting a hole in the mushroom bag and misting daily with water. In just over two weeks your y mildew alert: Many plants succumb to mushrooms are growing. You can usually get a couple of harvests from one bag. If this process feels too easy and ldew late in the season, but don’t panic: it’s a you prefer to get your hands dirty, move on to making your normal part of the cycle of life, and it’s not worth mushroom kits from scratch. You’ll find information on im dead leaves and carefully watch remaining growing shitake mushrooms here: organicgardener com au/ mpkins, cucumbers and squash, so you can articles/grow-your- m before they begin to deteriorate. Plant garlic: It ate perennials: Divide tough perennials time. Choose variet lilies, winter iris, alstroemeria and echinacea if Subtropical Group, s owing new green tips at the base – they’ll put on ‘Glenlarge’, which ha h this season while the soil is still warm, and bulb and matures ea even better display in winter or spring. Dig up the Pink’, which has larg pull apart or cut with a sharp spade or gardening are easier to peel. P ve dead leaves and replant into replenished soil. fridge for a couple o th seaweed extract and liquid fertiliser to get planting to assist bu a quick start. Add lime and nutrien individual cloves abo Harvest garlic in abo Above: Start growing mushrooms, such as the Australian Reishi. Below: It’s time to plant garlic. Right: Echinacea. organicgardener.com.au 65
ORGANIC T Squa Above: Alyssum growing in same bed as vegies. PHOTOS: INSET: ISTOCK/TOP: PENNY WOODWARD/ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK. CUCURBITA warm temperate Penny Woodward Save seeds from a plant that is free of pest and disease problems Grow alyssum: Plant seeds or seedlings of as we want the strongest seeds for the next generation of food. Lobularia maritima around fruit trees and near vegetables Leave squashes on the plant until to attract hoverflies and ladybirds in overripe and the skin is hardened. particular. This delicate low-growing Remove a squash, cut it down the annual grows as a carpet of sweetly middle and scoop out the seeds. scented flowers (hence it’s other name of Separate the seeds from the ‘Sweet Alice’). They’re too small to compete flesh. Soak the seeds for a few much for nutrients, and they protect the soil. hours to release any remaining ‘pulp and string’ and then rinse in Pumpkin harvest: Protect the last of a colander to clean. Put seeds into a jug full of water, discard any your pumpkins from rats and possums by surrounding seeds that float as they are not with a rough wire cage, and when harvesting, viable. Then rinse well. use the knuckle test to check that they are ready (you should hear a hollow, knocking sound) Spread seeds on a tray or place and stems will shrink a bit near the fruit. Cut leaving on paper to dry for 2+ weeks, about 5cm of stem and store in an open, airy position, turning regularly. out of the weather and away from hungry rodents. Any moisture will result in Plant citrus: Get your citrus trees in now to make use mould, so check that the seeds are fully dry by breaking one open. of the still warm soils before the cold really hits. Lemons, mandarins, oranges, Tahitian limes and cumquats are pretty Store and label. Viable for cold hardy, but won’t tolerate hard or long frosts so may 3–6 years. If you have excess, need protection in winter. In cold, frosty regions either grow share seeds with your friends in a pot in a sheltered position or unheated greenhouse. Or and community. construct a frame around and over the whole tree. Drape frost cloth or thick plastic over the frame and secure with Leonie Shanahan ties, to protect from frost for the first couple of winters. 66
Above: Prune out Tropical branches going Subtropical into the middle. Arid/semi-Arid Warm Temperate Cold Temperate WHAT O PL N D SOW PLANT/SOW RIL cold temper Artichoke Penny Woodward Asian greens BeanS: French/Climb Pruning apples: Once you’ve Beetroot Broad bean picking apples, completely prune ou , Broccoli Brussels sprouts crossing and crowded branches and those growing into the Cabbage Carrot middle. On young trees cut back all of last year’s growth by Cauliflower CELERY/celeriac a third. The trees are still in active growth, so pruning now Eggplant ENglish Spinach minimises risk because wounds heal quickly. Summer/autumn GARLIC Herbs/Mediterranean pruning also minimises non-productive growth while stimulating Kale Kohlrabi the growth of fruit-bearing wood. Use bypass secateurs and Leek Lettuce loppers, not anvil types, so you don’t damage the wood. onion Peas PHOTOS: PENNY WOODWARD/ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK. Start a worm farm: If living in a flat with little space, Radish Silverbeet consider a worm farm rather than a compost bin. Any small SPRING ONION worm farm will work well on a balcony as long as it’s shaded Strawberry plants during the hottest part of the day. Or put it in your car space SWEDE if there is room. There are now also worm farms that are Tomato designed to be used inside. All you need is green waste, Turnip worms and the farm. And you’ll end up with food for all your indoor and outdoor plants. Flower power: Seeds of flowers for winter and spring Our climate zone map is a simplified version of a Bureau of Meteorology map. For more detailed climatic information in relation to cities and major towns, colour can be planted now. Calendula, dianthus/carnation, go to: bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climate_averages/climate-classifications/index.jsp cornflower and viola flowers are beautiful but also deliciously edible. Foxglove, gypsophila, hollyhock (see above illustration), lobelia, polyanthus and primulas, will add colour to your garden but shouldn’t be eaten. organicgardener.com.au 67
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ORGANIC Partner promotion A passion for the land The transition from traditional methods to organic and biodynamic practices is not an easy one, but for Melissa Brown, co-owner of Gemtree Wines, it was worth the many years of hard work. Melissa Brown has long had the belief that it was organic producers like Melissa Brown. It’s been a tough few PROVIDED BY GEMTREE/IMAGE CREDIT: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TOURISM COMMISSION her responsibility to leave the land in a better years for our producers, who are still struggling condition for future generations, but when she with sta shortages, so show your support where began working on her parents’ vineyards in McLaren Vale, you can - buy local and buy certified organic.” South Australia, in 1994, her father wasn’t sure how long she would last. Over 25 years later and she is still there, using Scan QR code to learn more sustainable and biodynamic practices that nurture the soil or visit: austorganic.com and protect surrounding flora and fauna. “There was a disconnect between the way I was living my life and the practices that were happening in the vineyard. My job as a farmer is to make the most of natural resources,” Melissa says. “It just made sense that the more natural the process of growing produce, the better the results will be in soil and plant health and flavour. It’s about working with nature and not against it.” Some of the first changes made included replacing synthetic herbicides, applying biodynamic preparations and compost to regenerate the soil, introducing sheep for weed control, and bringing back the dodge plough. Obtaining organic certification in 2011 was an important milestone for Melissa. Years of hard work and sustainable ethics have shaped Gemtree Wines, which Melissa now co-owns with husband Mike Brown. Taking their care for the earth beyond the vineyards, in 2001 Melissa embarked on a project to clear the creek on the property and plant over 50,000 native trees and shrubs in partnership with Greening Australia. The site is now home to an array of native species and the publicly accessible ‘Gemtree Eco Trail’, which plays an important role in improving the biodiversity of their vineyards. Melissa is also a proud advocate for women and has set herself the task of developing and growing the roles of women within her business and the industry. Being named the recipient of the inaugural Woman in Organic of the Year Award at the Australian Organic Annual Industry Awards 2021 was acknowledgment of yet another milestone for Melissa. Martin Meek, Chair of Australian Organic Limited, believes there’s a lot of work still to do in recognising outstanding women in the organic industry, but the new award is a great start. “We introduced the new Woman in Organic of the Year Award in 2021 to recognise female leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the organic industry over the past year or more,” Martin says. “It’s important for consumers to understand the di erences in organic and certified organic, to ensure they buy authentic organic produce from passionate
PHOTO: HENRY HERRON OrgwanciocmLitvoing Inside: Sophie Hansen recipes poultry care book reviews Join Sophie Hansen and Annie Herron for a celebration of food and art, page 72. organicgardener.com.au 71
“Fo d an rt are pow ful ays to com uni ate wh we lov , n ed a fe l to h p le around s.” Woom cation Sophie Hansen and annie herron have created a collection of ideas around food and art to keep you and your family busy and well-fed this winter. PHOTOGRAPHY BY SOPHIE HANSEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANNIE HERRON Sophie Hansen and her mother, artist Annie Herron, spend a lot of time around the kitchen table: preparing food, creating art, sharing the results with whoever is at the table at the time. Their new book, Around The Kitchen Table, is an invitation to take part in similar rituals around your own table with family and friends. Here’s a couple of Sophie’s recipes and Annie’s illustrations for inspiration.
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WARM DUCK B E ST AND FIG L the cauliflower cream WITH CAUL F OWER AM over the base of a pretty serving platter. This dish is a bit fancy. It definitely looks and 4. Remove the duck breasts tastes special, and with the figs and duck as key and figs from the oven and let ingredients, it’s probably the most extravagant the duck rest under a tent of foil for meal in the book. But it’s worth it for a special 10 minutes or so. Return the pan with lunch for a special two or few. cooking juices and figs to the stove and cook over high heat for a few minutes to PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES, plus marinating reduce the juices a little. (You could add COOK TIME: 45 MINUTES a splash more wine if there’s not enough liquid to make a sauce.) Se 2 5. Slice the duck against the grain and arrange it on the cauliflower cream. Add the figs and scatter the 2 duck breasts rocket, pomegranate seeds and walnuts over the top. 2 tablespoons soy sauce Serve with some crusty bread or focaccia. 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar Variation: If figs have come and gone for the season, 2 tablespoons five-spice powder try using a little thinly sliced pear, some plums, 1 teaspoon honey blackberries or even raspberries instead. ½ cup (125ml) white wine 4 figs, halved 2 handfuls rocket ½ cup (70g) pomegranate seeds ½ cup (60g) walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped Crusty bread or focaccia, to serve CAULIFLOWER CREAM 1½ tablespoons (30g) butter 1 leek, white part only, diced ½ head cauliflower, broken into small florets 1 cup (250ml) chicken stock or water PHOTO: HENRY HERRON 1. Score the top (fatty) side of the duck breasts in a Annie Herron and crisscross pattern and place in a bowl. Combine the Sophie Hansen. soy sauce, vinegar, five-spice and honey in a small jug, then pour the marinade over the duck breasts, rubbing it into the scored meat. Cover and marinate overnight or for at least a couple of hours in the fridge. 2. Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Place an ovenproof frying pan over medium heat, then sear the marinated duck breasts for about 2 minutes, fatty side down, until golden and crispy. Pour the wine into the pan around the duck breasts (but not over the top of them). Transfer to the oven for 15 minutes. Add the figs, cut side down, and bake for another 15 minutes or until the duck breasts are cooked but still pink and tender inside. 3. While the duck is cooking, make the cauliflower cream. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Cook the leek for a few minutes or until soft and translucent. Add the cauliflower and cook for a few minutes before adding the stock. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the cauliflower is completely tender. Transfer to a blender, reserving some of the cooking liquid, and blitz until you have a smooth purée, adding a little liquid if needed. Smear organicgardener.com.au 75
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