Grant Douglas's Garden Diary

Week 22: First week of June

Finished the last of our Tomatoes this week but on a bright note, the first of the Earlicheer Jonquils are in flower - a promise of Spring in early Winter.

With not a lot that can be done in the garden, now is a good time to look back on what grew well this season and what didn't. This may be due to growing techniques, timing and weather conditions but one of the biggest factors may be the variety of each crop that you chose to grow.

There is a trend at the moment (cynically I would say a fashion) to rely on Heirloom varieties. Some of these produce very successful crops but a large number do not, which is why they have been replaced by modern varieties, especially F1 Hybrids. It is important that we retain the Heirloom varieties, not only because some are productive but also as an original source of material for breeding from. Modern F1 Hybrids have usually been bred to be evenly productive and vigorous.

Hybridisation is a naturally occurring process within a species and should not be confused with genetically moderfied crops which are usually made by combining different species. The disadvantages of using Hybrids is that you cannot save your own seed and therefore you must purchase it each year, sometimes at a fairly high cost, although the cost in relation to the overall production actually is not very great. The other disadvantage is that the seed production is controlled often by multi-national companies, who may withdraw it at any time, if it doesn't meet their production criteria.

Personally what I would like to see is the production of Hybridised seed by ethically based organic growers. I visited a friend today, who had planted Brussel Sprouts from plants bought at the Market. He had planted them at the right time, fed them well, but it was obvious that they were not going to produce good sprouts simply because the variety was unsuitable, possibly just for this region, whereas the variety I had grown, Royal Marvel F1 Hybrid has already formed nice tight sprouts.

Most of the crops can be grown from non-Hybrid seed, but there are a number where I would definitely recommend Hybrids e.g. Capsicum Double-up, Brocolli Marathon, Cauliflower Freda, Indoor Tomatoe Early Girl, Zucchini Black Jack, plus others that you can find for yourself. Most of these Hybrids perform consistently, often when conditions are marginal.

Do not stop using Heirloom varieties and saving your own seed, but simply remember that a combination of them and Hybrids will give you a productive, healthy and nutritious garden.

Sowing or Planting this week:
Broad Beans
Brassicas - Cauli, Cabbage, Broccoli, Broccoflower, Brocoflower (remember to choose Spring varieties of these brassicas eg Wintercross or Flower of Spring Cabbage, Snowmarch Cauliflower) Last time to plant out the seedlings you have sown.
Garlic
Lettuce (Loose-leaf Fancy and Triumph Hearting - not outside now, but in containers, in a protected place e.g. Greenhouse, veranda)
Red Onions - protect soil surface from heavy rains (Heard the other day about the use of carpet underfelt - sounds like good idea. Just get it off as soon as germination takes place)
Shallots
Spinach (winter varieties eg. Hybrid No.7) - not outside now, but in containers as above

Sow Direct: (in containers, protected as above)
Corn Salad
Mescalin Mix
Rocket

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