It is cooling down in South Australia, but the cooler weather doesn't make growing vegetables any easier, according to Anthony De Ieso from Thorndon Park Produce, near Adelaide. Anthony grows spinach, silver beet, spring onions, radish, parsley, continental parsley, beetroot, kale, coriander, dill, chives and rosemary.
"We have had some freezing cold mornings, but very sunny days. However, we could really use some rain. It hasn't been this dry this time of the year for 101 years."
"Every season has its challenges, be it heat, rain, not enough rain, cold etc. At this time of year there is a lot more disease to watch out for especially with cold dewy mornings, we have to keep an eye on weather patterns for potential frost and also growing times of produce significantly extend with the shorter days and colder conditions. We normally see a drop off in demand this time of year leading to winter on quite a few of our lines, however we do hit a consistent supply once the weather settles in to being cold."
Anthony said that they work on set prices, so there are no fluctuations on returns, but costs are increasing and he would like to see an increase in those returns to cover costs.
In a bid to combat those dropping returns, Anthony started to grow herbs as it is a high value crop, which has been going very well. "We have been very lucky to work with some great buyers who have been giving us very good orders."
For more information:
Anthony De Ieso
Thorndon Park Produce
Tel.: +61 8280 9722
[email protected]
www.thorndonparkproduce.com.au