I received a few emails last week about how the climate had impacted the ability to garden, and with so much uncertainty around the seasons how so much of the fun had been taken out of it.
What a topic! And one that is new to me, as it is with so many. In the end it will be about looking, trying and adapting, maybe ongoing and always. But for now, here are some thoughts and ideas about how to move forward and cope with the un-copeable.
Overview
Climate change driven by human activity has been recognised for a long time, as far back as in the early days of the industrial revolution, when thick black smothering blankets hung over large parts of the country. We don’t see that as much nowadays in Australia, maybe if we did the situation would be taken a little more seriously, but it reflects so much of our behaviour, if you can’t see it, it does not exist! Then it is too late. The impact of the climate does vary by region and it's too much of a topic to cover all areas, so let’s look at Victoria.
Average temperatures have been increasing with longer and more extreme heat waves and shorter winters – this may seem opportune as spring could start early, but like us, many plants need time to rest and restore themselves, and many pests are inactive during winter.
Droughts are expected to increase – quantity and severity, as is extreme rain events – this type of rainfall is hard to capture.
This adds up to more extreme bushfires, which destroys and disrupts so much, not only in the local area but across the globe.
And then there are the smallest that we have the biggest reliance on, the pollinators that are seeing habitat and diversity depleting.
On top of all this blatant and clearly seen challenges is the lack of response from governments and big business, that like the whalers before them, won’t stop until the last drop of blood or oil has been spilled.
Where does this leave us – in our own backyards growing our own food
Design your garden
With these changes there could well be a need to review the layout of your garden and rather than retrofitting what is already there, in many cases it starts with designing from scratch with an understanding of your local ecosystem, weather patterns of your patch, and looking to provide food, shelter and nourishment not only for yourself but all the wildlife and insects that will rely on it. To do this
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Firstly observe, the priority step with all design. Look to see what plants already work, what animals and insects populate your space, and what copes best in the weather you get. Start to study and record your rainfall and know where it runs to and if it can be diverted or captured. And remembering that this is Australia look to see what plants cope best in hot and dry conditions and which ones need more afternoon shade.
This will help with garden bed location and crop selection
Soil
Do not forget your soil health (your plants food), probably the most important aspect of gardening and combating climate change
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Mulch and compost with organic matter – adds carbon back into the soil and retains moisture
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Compost kitchen and garden waste
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Practice no dig gardening, trying not to disturb the soil and the microbes too much
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Use raised beds to stop soil compacting or make pathways so you don’t tread on the soil
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Rotate crops
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Plant beans, peas, clover and other legumes to put nitrogen back into the soil
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Plant perennial edibles that last for a few years helping to hold the soil together. There are many great plants like these, such as asparagus, globe artichokes, rhubarb, strawberries and other berries, scarlet runner beans, french sorrell, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme, and fruit trees if you have space for them.
Planting
Look also to how you plant, for example taller crops like corn or climbing tomatoes, planted on the west side of the bed will provide shade for plants behind them. Or use shade cloth when it is needed.
Groundcover plants like clover and sweet alyssum can act as a living mulch, keeping soil cool and stopping water evaporating.
Start to consider native bush foods like Yam Daisies or Bulbine Lily’s for their tasty tuber-like roots, or Warrigal Greens as a hardy alternative to spinach.
Frosts
If you get frosts, play around with locations and try to find a microclimate within your garden that is free of frost, maybe next to a wall that catches the sun and retains its heat, where you can plant cold sensitive edibles next to.
Water
Respect water and know how best to use it. Find ways to get rainfall to move slowly through the garden so as much as possible will be absorbed into the soil OR in times of heavy rainfall see how excess water can be diverted and captured. Or look to install wicking beds – you can see come atWaterUps.
Water early in the morning or in the evening on hot days.
Group water hungry plants together in the boggy parts of the garden and put drought tolerant plants together in the dry spots.
Deep irregular watering is better than regular shallow watering, as it encourages roots to grow deeper.
And keep the garden mulched with organic matter
Pollinators
Most of us just think of bees, but there are many other pollinators including ants, bats, beetles, birds, butterflies, flies, moths, and wasps. To attract these
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Grow flowers and stagger them so they are out all year round – remembering that vegetables also flower – carrots, dill, fennel, coriander, parsley etc
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And need I say it – don’t use pesticides as they can kill beneficial insects. If you attract the right insects they will keep the wrong ones at bay. You can also plant aromatic herbs to deter pests, as well as onions, chives, marigolds, basil, sage, etc as these will mask the smell of crops the pests are interested in
Phew! And WOW all at once. Gardening has never been a set and forget project, but maybe now more than ever we are being made to work for it, and as with all work, if it is something you like then it is enjoyable more than tedious and onerous.
Enjoy
Peter