Summer lies forgotten on the orchard floor

Summer lies forgotten on the orchard floor in a carpet of bright yellow leaves. Like bits of sunshine that were too heavy for the sky. On the 21^st of June, in the Southern Hemisphere, we celebrated our winter solstice, or the shortest day and longest night of the year.

It is difficult to imagine that after this date, our days will gradually become longer again. Something to look forward to while winter days remain mist-wrapped in the mornings. The mist only dissipates at noon. Then we have a brief bit of sunshine until about 4pm before dusk descends again to wrap the day in a blanket of evening cold.

We have enjoyed intervals of bright sunshiny days. But, they are neither warm nor long enough to ripen the last of the tomatoes. Although there is a good potential harvest of currently unripe beans on the Hereboontjie vines, I do not hold much hope of them ripening before the vines give up. As with the tomatoes, beans need warmer sunshine. The winter sun is simply not strong enough to warm up the garden for the last of the summer vegetables.

When nature decides that it is time for plants to rest, it is best not to ignore the signs. Although it is tempting to see how long one can harvest the summer crop into winter, it is important to give the soil a rest. I finally decided to take out the beans and transfer their trellis to the pea bed, where the peas, which thrive in the cooler weather, were making long vines in need of support.

The Brinjal plant Competing with the lime tree for some winter sun

The brinjals also produced fruit deep into winter, but the cold prevented the new flowers from developing further produce. I decided to harvest the last brinjals and use the plants in the compost bins. The green vegetation in the compost bins made for a nice break after all the autumn leaves from the oaks and orchard.

Turmeric flower, Brinjal Flower and Sweet potatto flower

The exotic looking lilac flowers of the brinjal, added to the purple theme of the garden, along with the purple flowers of the turmeric and sweet potatoes. The turmeric flower is completely different in colour from the turmeric root. The sweet potato and brinjal flowers both display a hint of the shade of colour of the vegetable they will produce.

The abundant limes herald the citrus season. Food and drink for the season is fragrant with the scent of lime juice, zest, and fruit.

The last of the white and pink guavas, calls for innovative ways to use them, in ways other than the old comfort of stewed guavas in syrup served with custard. A guava and ricotta pasta, made for an exotic side-dish to some fresh Norwegian salmon.

Guava and Ricotta Linguine

On sunnier days, we can even eat al fresco if there is direct sunshine on the lawn. It is even possible, on a good day, to enjoy a Towerwater style salad Niçoise with the warmth of the winter sun on ones back.

Sunny days are always welcome after a spell of cold and rain. Brief sunny periods allow us to replenish the wood stock for Towerwater and Elmwood in Woodstock before the next cold front of winter rain sets in again.

Towerwater Niçoise Salad

The autumn leaves soon join other material in the compost bins to produce a dark worm-rich compost that will once again feed the garden through summer. With 36 bags of compost waiting at the bottom of the orchard for the big pruning and feeding of the garden in July, summer is never really forgotten.

Replenishing the wood stock

In summer, sunshine helps to nourish not only the leaves and fruit but also creates magic in the compost bins. Heat and humidity combine there to create the ‘black gold’ that will nourish the roots in preparation for spring.  The garden is producing in a constant cycle of food for humans and plants. The eight compost bins produce a welcome volume of organic compost. To be honest, there is sufficient suitable garden refuse produced to easily feed another eight compost bins through the year.

Isolation and social distancing have brought us closer to nature and in closer contact with our garden. It has provided welcome therapy in difficult and uncertain times. One more lesson learnt is that if one looks after nature, nature will look after you.