The importance of soil characteristics

The emergence and recent focus upon organically certified wine production has contributed to a reassessment of soil characteristics as an important element in new vineyard selection. Compared with the primary status afforded to climate, soil has been frequently neglected or rather taken for granted by a large section of the industry.

One of the general rules for vineyard selection is to avoid deeply fertile soils. While these are often responsible for supporting valuable remnants of very old vines, they can be inappropriate for establishing new plantings and maintaining the healthy development of commercially productive rows. The soil profile becomes increasingly relevant in cooler regions where surface evaporation is less effective.

In the European tradition, a majority of cool climate vineyards were established on marginal soils with a limestone or calcite base. These provide excellent drainage characteristics and the capacity to warm quickly during the early growth phases of Spring. Without the capacity to warm quickly, heavier soils will prevent the roots from exiting their dormant status. This in turn delays the hormonal signals which enable vines to transition from vegetative to reproductive growth.

French vignerons are particularly adept at identifying the significant characteristics of soil, often extending to tiny parcels of land with their uniquely distinguishing “terroir” which incorporates the complex interaction of altitude, aspect, climate and soil properties. While cool climate regions of southern hemisphere viticulture may lack the extended history of observation and analysis accessible to growers in Burgundy or Champagne, there is growing awareness of soil and its contribution to the underlying quality of the harvest.

Growing brilliant tomatoes

Since arriving in Brisbane, I have enjoyed eating an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. We’ve visited many quality restaurants and had the opportunity to attend some great Aussie barbecues where everyone talks and eats outside in the late afternoon sunshine. It’s true about the flies; they’re a proper hazard for English visitors although I’ve been told that a concoction of native mint and eucalyptus oil is superior to any other repellant.

Tomatoes grown in this part of the world taste brilliant. There are numerous varieties to choose from and they appear to be a favourite with local organic growers. It’s no surprise, since salads are prepared for most meals and firm, ripe tomatoes are the best accompaniment for leafy summer greens.

Despite almost ideal conditions, there are few commercial growers and the local market for quality organic produce is reasonably competitive. In my opinion, that’s sufficient reason to plant a row of tomato seeds and water them twice daily for about three months. Okay, there’s a little bit of work ahead, but please don’t underestimate the simple pleasure of picking fresh salad ingredients straight from your own garden.

Most varieties of tomato require plenty of sunshine and warm soil temperatures. They are reasonably versatile in terms of preferred soil characteristics although are inherently susceptible to fungal problems when tried in particularly heavy or poorly drained soils. Experienced growers tend to recommend lighter sand based soils with decent supplies of organic material incorporated prior to germination or the transferal of seedlings. Aim for a soil pH between 5.8 and 7. If you can hit around 6.4, most of the locked trace minerals become accessible to plants, enabling them steady growth and superior resistance against pest and disease organisms.

I’m not fanatical about companion planting yet consider the practice worth trialling in some situations. Here in Brisbane, local growers seem to recommend Nasturtium, Carrot, and Marigold as suitable companion species for the humble tomato. Nasturtiums are believed to repel white fly and aphid. Their orange flowers are frequently included in salads, mainly for decoration, but also on account of their delicate peppery flavour.

Over recent years, many gardeners have appreciated the simplicity of the miniature cherry size tomatoes. I’m a huge fan of these, particularly the yellow ones I grew at home last summer. Because of their compact size and shape, many of the grape and cherry tomato varieties will fruit longer than a traditional vine variety. They also require less maintenance and are usually suitable for large containers carefully positioned on a patio or balcony.

Brisbane arrival

I’ve been meaning to write for several days but have been kept completely on my toes arranging the accommodation, transport, and various incidentals associated with unscripted travel. You see the original plan had been to spend approximately one week in Brisbane before travelling south along the coastal route to Sydney. I’m convinced we’ll make it there eventually but in the meantime our Brisbane visit has been extended indefinitely.

What a glorious city. The locals suggest that Brisbane has risen dramatically over the previous ten years. I recall staying several nights in the mid eighties and being mildly confused by the central district’s deserted streetscapes after about nine o clock. That appears to have remedied itself so there is plenty of activity to look at. Colourful, eccentric, and lively Brisbane folk. It’s a good-natured place so there’s no problem asking someone for directions or a piece of local advice. After almost a week in luxurious Kangaroo Point, we’ve moved to a beautiful garden unit in a suburb called Indooroopilly.

Indooroopilly was recommended by an acquaintance from the Organic Growers. Conveniently central with a pleasant suburban atmosphere. The distinctive name is Australian Aboriginal and refers to a place of running water. Lots of well manicured lawns and eucalyptus trees for shade, which is terribly important down here. Yesterday’s temperature approached thirty degrees around lunchtime. We’re told that’s almost mild for this time of year! I’ve already adopted the strategy of early morning and evening activity with long siestas taken during the hottest period of each afternoon.

After England, the vibrant intensity of Brisbane represents something of a culture shock. Each morning the skies are bedeviled with the brightest and noisiest flocks of parakeet and cockatoo. Twelve hours later the twilight plays host to gigantic bat like creatures called Flying Foxes. Indeed, close up they are not much smaller than a native fox and curiously intelligent in appearance. The locals are not keen on their habits. Quite destructive of fruit and trees I’m told. They also generate foul odours with their urine and droppings. I’m yet to ascertain whether these offerings might be employed as a convenient source of soil enrichment. Possibly not.

Can’t conclude without mentioning the food down here. Fresh and abundant, served perhaps without the precision and ceremony we’re accustomed to at home. I adore the seafood platters with fried Barramundi. This is the sweetest tasting fish you’re ever likely to encounter. It’s farmed or caught from the wild in the tropics above here and is one of the most popular estuarine varieties in Australia. Try the Tiger Prawns and Moreton Bay Bugs if you get the chance. The latter are a brilliantly flavoursome crustacean which appear to be unique in this part of the world.

It should be possible to secure our vehicle tomorrow and I’m certainly looking forward to visiting a number of nurseries and organic gardens during the weeks ahead.

Seed saving and Garden Organic interview

Unfortunately, with the rise of industrial agriculture and the promotion of hybrid seed varieties, much of the knowledge associated with seed saving has been lost. This is disconcerting on a number of levels, not least of which is the real potential that exists for food choices available to future generations to be seriously compromised as a result of the loss of genetic material necessary to provide diversity in crop species.

While technology hasn’t always aided in the advancement of the organic movement, the internet has become a helpful tool and resource for those dedicated to seed saving. Many wonderful sites now exist that provide information and practical advice on seed saving. Some of these are the websites of dedicated organisations and associations such as Garden Organic, Seed Savers Exchange, Seeds of Diversity, and The Seed Savers Network, while others have been compiled by smaller groups and individuals. Many of these are also excellent. In this regard, Bifurcated Carrots, Calendula & Concrete and Veggie Garden Info are three sites worthy of particular mention.

To those of you who are interested in seed saving, and to anyone else keen to ensure we retain the much needed genetic stock necessary to support future generations, I would encourage you to read our recent interview with Sandra Slack. Sandra is the head of Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library. She generously gave up her time to discuss the work she performs and the very important role Garden Organic plays in ensuring the continued viability of the organic movement.

Protecting the soil with a cover crop

I’m going to miss the kind people of Montserrat. It’s been a valuable experience, providing the opportunity to catch up with a relative on my mother’s side. It was also very relaxing, quite a break from my usual schedule of activities. On a serious note, I am concerned about the long term prospects of the smaller islands in this region. The soil fertility is extremely good as indicated by the brightness and vigour of Montserrat’s vegetation. Like most tropical soils, the bulk of nutrients are carried near the surface and recycled at a high rate. Heavy rains combined with warmer temperatures and human activity contribute to partial erosion while the distribution of volcanic particles may gradually increase soil acidity. I’m not familiar with the precise chemistry but have been told that its like running an engine too hot. Once the equilibrium tilts, it could be a long decline.

Unlike Montserrat, the majority of our soil problems are generated by ill considered farming and haphazard approaches to landcare. I’m still occassionally confronted by one of the gum boot brigade and told that it’s impossible to grow pasture or grains without bulk quantities of chemical fertiliser. When I explain my organic approach they appear to listen but then dismiss it out of hand. Okay for a few vegetable gardens, they suggest. Won’t do for an entire field of oats or corn. Needs more nitrogen.

Legume and green crops are the best and most efficient means to promote nitrogen availability in a compromised soil. There have been plenty of scientific studies to prove this and anyone tuned into their land knows it from experience. During their winter growing phase, these crops provide a valuable cover, protecting soils against erosion and mineral leaching. After several months, they can be incorporated into the soil, thereby contributing additional organic matter and improving texture in a way that allows air and moisture to be evenly distributed. Can a chemically manufactured mineral compound accomplish this? Of course not.

Next stop Brisbane, where I’m told there’s a cricket test in progress.

Gardens of the Caribbean

I’m happy to announce my safe arrival in the Caribbean Island of Montserrat. We scheduled an early seafood lunch then checked into our villa accommodation with beautiful views of surrounding Olveston. The welcome initiated by our island hosts has been nothing short of overwhelming. Travel certainly brightens the spirit and renews ones faith in the basic decency of humanity.

From the verandah, one surveys such an abundance of tropical life. Written descriptions of its emerald vegetation fail to capture an impression of growth proceeding slightly beneath the rate of visible movement. Coconut palms compete with native fig species and yellow blossomed frangipani. A riot of wild peppers intersperse an ocean of blade grass and sweeping pillars of ixora. Their colours saturate the evening atmosphere which carries exotic hints of ginger, cinnamon and lime.

Imagine living without the hidden fear of winter. A working organic garden provides such deeply rooted psychological links to nature. Sometimes cruel, always indifferent, a darkening winter signals the slowing of growth and gradual restriction of many garden items. Before those last autumn beans are picked, we mix apprehension with the deepest appreciation of sunlight and soil. Since fleeing the temporary chills of England, my bones have relaxed into the easy warmth of this paradise.

In the morning, we have an appointment to visit a gentleman who raises tulips and avocadoes in the local manner. This gentleman has a portion of Scots-Irish heritage and is in fact distantly related through a second cousin on my mother’s side. We met many years ago at a Highland function for Clan McHarg. It was during the late sixties and I recall his strong ambition to build a residential community in one of the outer London suburbs. I was equally enthusiastic about the organic movement and we naively discussed the ideals of sustainable agriculture and self-sufficiency. Somehow, he ended up in Montserrat. Arrived when most of the population was evacuating following the volcanic eruptions of 95. Time moves so quickly and it will be wonderful to catch up.

Back to the garden when things don’t quite work out

Well the rugby lads didn’t quite manage the result I was hoping for. The half time score was close enough but we were unlucky with the penalties and probably gave away too much in the lineouts. A victory would have disrupted the world rankings and given me boasting rights against some gardening friends of mine from Natal. Never mind. When things don’t turn out as they should, I usually retreat to a corner of the garden and make myself as busy as possible.

I’m not sure whether it’s my state of mind, but everything looked a bit grey and lifeless this week. The weather’s cooled off a touch and leaves are falling faster than I can rake them aside. They’ll make a nice organic mulch to protect next year’s seedlings from the weeds.

I’m abroad again next month so have concentrated on improving my herbarium which is properly sheltered against the cold. The parsley, mint, rocket, and chives are thriving but most of the others could do with a bit of antidepressant therapy. Organic seaweed complex will be just the trick.

Did you know that seaweeds like kelp contain more than seventy micronutrients and approximately twice the nitrogen concentration of chicken manure? As a younger man, I used to gather generous loads of fresh seaweed from the coastal districts after a storm. Nowadays, its convenient to order the finely granulated complex from my organic distributors. This product is mixed with water to make foliar and soil conditioning treatments which promote sustained growth and healthy produce. Unlike some of the conventional fertilisers, the organic certification ensures freedom from unwanted pollution and disease organisms.

I’ve got a few outdoor tasks to complete then it’s time to start preparing for the trip. The itinerary reads Florida (overnight), Montserrat, then southwards to Australia and New Zealand for Christmas. I have so many old friends to catch up with and look forward to meeting new participants at the seasonal garden displays next month.

Passionfruit and a win in the rugby

The other night I was on the sports network and happened to catch an interview with a few of our fanatical Rugby supporters. It must have been one of those earlybird specials. Watch the lads training around six in the morning followed by a decent supporters breakfast of muesli and yoghurt, with fresh strawberries and passionfruit. I’m seriously considering a trip across for the final but was hoping to join you guys for breakfast beforehand. I’m a great believer in the health giving properties of passionfruit. I almost mistook yours for dark plums but then you cut one open and spooned out those characteristic dark seeds surrounded by their pulp.

It might surprise you to learn that I’d never tasted passionfruit until I visited Italy as a young tourist in his late twenties. The locals made a delightful ice confection known as Gelato. It was served in most of the pizza and coffee houses around Rome and Naples. The best Gelato was made with fresh fruit. I enjoyed the melon, citrus, and berry blends but primo was their donatello passionfruit. This smelled so refreshing and possessed some amazing ability to instantly cleanse and purify a jaded palate. It’s no secret that I became slightly carried away, ordering enough of these special desserts to become a minor source of local amusement. That was a long time ago.

Perhaps it was the cooler climate of England or the lack of enthusiasm for their tangy, somewhat acidic flavour profile. I’m not sure. They just didn’t turn up in the shops and I can assure you that their twisting green vines never made an appearance on the Cotchcroft estate or any of the less formal grounds on my watch. After returning home, I made some discreet enquiries and found a decent group of enthusiasts who managed to promote some hardy grafted varieties in and around the home counties. Nowadays, I get the occasional trip to Montserrat which is sufficiently warm to enable the wild vines to thrive. Of course, most of my time is spent in cooler climates, so I’ve picked up a few tricks to keep them reasonably cheerful and out of harms way.

Start with the toughest varieties you can find. There’s a relatively new graft called Black Magic which is vigorous, disease resistant, and quite capable of withstanding the occasional frost. They have become quite popular with organic growers and the nurseries frequently run out of stock by the middle of Spring. Next year, I’m going to try a new Granadilla which was initially recommended by one of the organic experts at IFOAM.

It’s pretty essential to find a suitable location for these vines which need plenty of sunlight and fresh air to succeed. Avoid dampness, draughts, and darkness. Most of my well established vines have enjoyed climbing over a brick wall which warms up nicely during the day and holds some protective heat overnight. I’ve seen them growing over wire and wooden trellises although care needs to be taken to avoid any draughts which will certainly stunt growth and ultimately restrict their fruit development.

Passionfruit seem to cope with a range of soil types with the exception of heavy clay. Their roots tend to be wide ranging but shallow so it’s important to avoid digging or other forms of cultivation until the vine is well established. Providing your vines with plenty of organic matter is a good approach although if you’re using manure, try to ensure it’s well dried as this enables nutrients to be efficiently transferred to the upper layer of most soils. Allow your vines to establish themselves before harvesting the initial crop. In cooler climates this will require patience. Don’t worry; it becomes worthwhile when you fill your first bucket with those ripe, sweet smelling gems. In the meantime, let’s join our fanatical supporters for breakfast and cheer our mighty rugby lads toward their consecutive world cup triumph.

Where have all the pumpkins gone?

Halloween is the time of year when decent size pumpkins and squash are in demand. Not necessarily for their eating qualities but always to carve out the mysterious and haunting faces of Jack O Lanterns and Will O the Wisps. Apparently this year holds no promise of an easy delivery. Most of the Northern hemisphere has experienced unseasonal levels of Summer rain which has contributed to a poor crop. A lot of pumpkin farms were forced to dig out their vines months ago. In terms of what’s currently available, don’t expect to find the beautiful gold and orange specimens. A lot of the imported ones are still green and need to be treated with artificial heaters to ripen in time for the main event.

Many Organic Guide readers will prefer to grow their own pumpkins at home. It’s easy once you pick up a few of the basics. Try to select a sunny location with well-drained soil. A sandy loam is favoured although other soil types can be improved with the addition of organic compost. Pumpkin seeds can be planted directly to the garden or raised in seedling punnets for later transplantation. Whichever method is preferred, remember that maturing pumpkin vines encompass a considerable amount of garden space. Allow at least one square metre for each plant. Regular weeding is required once the seedlings emerge and they will need to be protected from frost, drought, and insect pests like snails, slugs, and aphid.

Once the seedlings have established, reduce the frequency of watering while ensuring that roots are challenged by deep soaking. Commercial growers prefer drip irrigation and there is no reason why this cannot be replicated in the backyard garden. Mulching is helpful for reducing weed competitors and maintaining an even soil temperature. Organic mulches like pea straw, untreated bark, and neutral pH leaf moulds are suitable. Some growers like to employ windbreaks or canopies to protect exposed vines and others will advocate trellises and other structural devices designed to elevate and protect fruit against mildew and other fungus complaints.

Harvest once the vine starts to wither and the fruit takes on its characteristic golden orange colour. Don’t forget that pumpkins sweat and always need to be stored in cool but dry locations and rotated several times each week to prevent rotting.

Gardening into the night

My husband and I both work long hours in demanding environments. At the end of each day there’s nothing so relaxing as the moments we spend in our garden. The summer months of extended daylight enable us to enjoy the visual beauty of our shrubs, trees, and flowers. As the sun recedes, we find ourselves reluctant to retreat from our oasis of calm. So we frequently extend our stay beneath the moonlight and stars. This is the quietest reverie of subtle shapes and hidden dreams. Our senses are indulged by a myriad of tiny blossoms and their subtle perfumes which float in the breeze. We have friends who appreciate similar moments and have developed their own strategies for evening display. Here are some useful ideas for establishing a night garden.

White and beige coloured gravels reflect the lowest light levels and provide an exciting contrast to surrounding shrubs and ornamentals with dense opaque foliage.

Water features contribute to a peaceful mood and their reflective surfaces will illuminate surrounding areas.

To improve evening visibility, earthenware pots can be gloss varnished while wooden garden furniture and ironwork will benefit from white or cream toned paint.

To increase the wow factor after dark, choose shrubs with white flowers and shiny foliage. By focusing on a variety of plants with these characteristics, the evening display will encompass a range of silvery and soft charcoal hues.

Ask your nursery about plants like Angel’s Trumpet and Jasmine, which flower at night.

For calming and restorative energy, include some traditional aromatic herbs like rosemary, lavender, ylang ylang, and sage.

Make sure you have ready access to good music and other comforts like a warm blanket, and a delicious pot of herbal tea.

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