June began with an extended spell of dry settled weather and mild temperatures. Over the last few days however, there have been two substantial weather events dropping about 40mm of rain, saturating the ground to the point of runoff.
This sets up the early spring growing season nicely in terms of soil moisture. Mild temperatures have kept growth moving a little despite the short daylight hours. We are now past the winter solstice, meaning daylight now gets slightly longer, although barely noticeable until late July.
Recent episodes of rain show the value of soil-protecting cover crops over winter. Cover cropping, or green manure, prevents excessive leaching of valuable nutrients, while helping keep soil structure stable. Towards the end of July, I’ll be digging mustard, lupin and oat cover crop into the soil which will provide valuable organic matter as it breaks down through spring.
Overwintering crops in the garden such as carrots, parsnips, leeks, beets, celery and winter brassicas are all looking healthy and undamaged because of lack of frost. Garlic has been planted and just beginning to show through the soil surface. Traditionally I’ve always planted garlic around winter solstice time, however I’ve been moving my planting date earlier to try to get a good size plant before allium rust hits the crop in late spring. This disease basically stops bulb growth and can develop extremely rapidly.
Broad beans are one of the few crops that tolerate the winter cold and damp. I have plants grown indoors that are ready for setting outdoors although ground conditions will be too wet for the next few days. Broad bean plants or seed can be established in the garden right through the cool season in a well-drained and composted part of the garden. There are several varieties available, with the shorter growing ones, such as "Coles Dwarf" providing an earlier crop and taller "Exhibition Long Pod" a heavier crop. My personal favourite is "Evergreen", a mid-size plant with green beans rather than the usual buff brown-coloured bean.
I often early sow peas in cell trays now. They take about a month to grow and can tolerate the cold when planted early August. This will give a crop much earlier in the season. Direct sowing into cold soil usually isn’t successful this early in the season.
The cold time of year is when indoor growing really becomes an advantage. Between now and November can be a difficult time to supply fresh produce for the kitchen table. Overwintered crops have gone to seed and lost quality, and early spring plantings are not yet ready for use. We grow a variety of greens in compost-filled pots through winter and early spring giving a regular supply of fresh greens when they are expensive, or just not available.
Even a sunny doorstep can produce tasty greens while garden soil is still too cold and wet for growth.
It’s winter pruning time now. Dry sunny days are best, allowing time for any wounds to dry before infections can invade damp surfaces. It’s best to seal any larger cuts with pruning paste.
Once pruned, winter clean up sprays can be applied, giving trees and berry bushes the best start for the new season. Start with lime sulphur, which cleans tree branches of accumulated mosses, lichens and overwintering insects such as pear blister mite. Follow this with spraying oil, which also controls overwintering insects such as scale and finally a copper spray which will slow the establishment of fungal diseases such as black spot when growth starts in spring.
• Keith Omelvena is an avid gardener and nurseryman.
