18/06/2026
Here comes the sixth El Niño since I moved to Queensland. What to do?
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared an El Niño, the phenomenon linked to hotter and drier conditions for Australia, is now locked in place:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/16/australia-el-nino-bom-bureau-of-meteorology-dry-hot-weather
Gardeners can expect climate change will amplify the effects, including the risk of extreme heat and bushfires.
The subtropical spring is already our driest season, with hot, sunny, often windy weather, so I don't try to start fresh plantings. Thirsty, leafy plants like rosella and corn need too much water.
Instead, I have turned my spring crop into a seed crop. I save seed from my best winter crops and eat the rest. This means you can now start identifying your best plants/ crops for this purpose. Make mid-winter your pivot point.
Unlike farms, home gardens are diverse. Home gardeners can be nimble and quick to respond to sudden changes in the weather. And our success is linked to growing a diversity of plants - whatever the weather some things will be losers while others are winners.
Use the Seed Savers Handbook as your guide. It explains how to save seed from over 100 of the most important crops and how to keep varieties vigorous and true to type, see:
https://seedsavers.net/tools-resources/the-seed-savers-handbook/
This simple change of focus radically improves my position and perspective. Since my first subtropical El Niño experience, I have used the amplified drying conditions to my advantage, they help seed to ripen.
I can then redirect what water I have to support my orchard, which is every food garden's long term investment. During an El Niño at my place, bananas come before rosella.
Favourite comment: “You often refer us to the Seed savers guide. When I left Australia 21 years ago and moved to an outer island Atiu in the Cook Islands (pop. 360 people and 26 sq km in area) this is the only book I could bring. It has been my most valuable possession.
It’s kept us well fed, taught me how to grow food in a very different environment and the seed saving aspect now has us self sufficient in a place where seeds are very hard to come by.
Even now more so as the seasons are changing.
Your posts give us fair warning and help us to plan ahead particularly knowing that sometimes we have to let a crop go and concentrate on what we can save. Thank you”, J.I.
Jerry Coleby-Williams
Director, Seed Savers Network
Patron, HOPE Inc. Australia
17th June 2026
www.seedsavers.net
