OPINION: Seeds of hope in the tough times

What better place to be in isolation from the coronavirus than in the garden? My partner and I are following the advice of the Government and embracing isolation. Both of us are over 80 and the statistics show we are at risk if the virus spreads, which it looks like it is going to. It was a no-brainer in what action we, and I suspect most people our age, have chosen. Stay home, watch TV or work in the garden. If you’re close to the coast you can take a rod and reel to the beach and enjoy a bit of fishing. That’s a low-cost way of feeding the family. Isolate yourselves from other people and enjoy the great outdoors alone. Growing your own vegies has always been a good idea. This month is an excellent time to get started. Last week’s story in the Midwest Times featured two teachers and four children from the Geraldton Flexible Learning Centre who visited the garden to help plant cauliflower seedlings. The picture above shows the cauliflower plants standing up and looking healthy. We planted garlic among them, and one has appeared. Also showing up among them are marigolds. These flowers are sacrificial plants, as bugs love them. The planting by the students was a bit early but it was an experiment. The cauliflowers have dappled shade from the grapevine, which is slowly shedding its leaves. The Gardening Australia magazine’s recommendations for planting now include strawberries and Asian greens. We are adding climbing sugarsnap peas, Drylands black valentine beans (heritage seeds), garlic and white onions to our planting here. The magazine features Jackie French in an article on growing brown onions with pansies. She suggests we plant the onions first in rows, and when they are up, put in pansies from seedlings between the rows. For great benefits in isolation, from boredom, or lack of exercise, gardening ticks the boxes. It provides food for a low cost, and flowers for colour and to attract bees. Although I am not a big fan of roses, it is great to sit down near a rose bed with a cuppa to while away the time, especially if they are still blooming away. Another benefit of getting brassicas in early is you can beat the spring caterpillar attack. The white moth will come, but not in early winter. Most vegies can be frozen once harvested. Another thing to look for in planning your vegies, whether in pots or garden beds, is value for effort. Lettuce are cheap in the shops in winter but other things like Australian-grown garlic are expensive, as are broccoli and some herbs. Happy gardening in isolation. Give us a ring and let readers know how you spend your time. To share your Geraldton garden with readers, call Stan Maley on 0428 230 029.