WendyBellbird Park's Edible Backyard

Joined: 16/07/09 Updated: 14/04/10 Frost: Low
Location: Bellbird Park, QLD, AU

About My Edible Backyard

I live in Bellbird Park in Ipswich on a 1/4 acre house block. We have 2 boys with Autism and one of those has intellectual impairment so probably will not leave home any time soon. My husband and I are older parents and see that if we don't feed ourselves we may not eat.

The type of soil we have here is black clay. And our rain fall is below average. The greatest part of our yard faces north east.

I try to use seaweed and pot ash monthly. I also use Healthy Earth which is the best fertilizer I have found.I use Eco-oil to battle most bugs.

Have just ordered a book on chooks and some Clucker Tucker from Green Harvest. I have also planted Tamarind and Peruvian Ground Apple as well as Comfrey and Arrowroot.

The Clucker Tucker consists of Comfrey and Arrowroot. Also seeds of Linseed,  Buckwheat , Lucerne-Hunter River,   Lucerne-Sequel,  White Clover,  Red Clover,  Pidgeon Pea. That should

keep the chooks extra healthy and happy.

Lemon - Eureka (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

Now has 5 fuit 2 are more advanced than the 3 newer ones and apart from some leaf curl it is doing well.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting and Spring

Pest Control:

Ecco oil and anyother bug hating matter

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Guava - Strawberry ^8/10

Comments: -

Have just planted 2 of these. Now they have been in 6months. they are looking healthy and have put on new growth tho they have not grown in height. Now they have been in 10 months I have pulled one out as it was no longer doing well and replaced it with a hawaiin guava which had looked streesed  in a pot.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Pest Control:

Will use Ecco oil and Healthy Earth products if they are needed but so far they have not needed any thing in the pest line.

Cardamon Ginger ^9/10

Comments: -

planted in shade and will recieve the regular seaweed and mulch Have just planted the second of these and it is also looking good.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Organic Status:Partially Organic

fig Black genoa ^9/10

Comments: -

Just starting to develop leaves, it is the latest of my three figs. It is quite a bit behind the other two but is now doing well with some small fruit on.

Fruiting Months February and March

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Yearly, Winter, Spring

Pest Control:

Eco oil

Organic Status:Organic

chrysophyllum cainito (Grafted) ^6/10

Comments: -

This is a Star Apple or Caimito native of Central America and the West Indies. The fleh is white, tinged with puple and divided into segments by shiny, dark brown seeds. Flesh is soft, sweet and juicy to eat. Best in subtropics, likes fertile, well drained soil in an open sunny poistion.The tree got hit by frost and had one leaf left. From then it has come on well, and looks like it has recovered well.

Pollination: No

Dwarf Mulberry - Red Shahtoot ^10/10

Comments: -

Looking forward to this plant as much as I am looking forward to the mulberrys..yum here we are august and there are 15 fruits on this little stick so I think this plant is terrific. have just potashed all my fruit trees this week.

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Dwarf Mandarin Daisy ^10/10

Height 1 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Organic Status:Organic

Dwarf Lime - Tahitian (Grafted) ^10/10

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Organic Status:Organic

Dwarf Mandarin Pixie ^10/10

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Organic Status:Organic

Fig - Brown Turkey ^9/10

Comments: -

It is in a pot and is the 2nd of my three figs to develop its leaves for this year and has caught up to the first ( White Adriatic) it is a vigorous little fig.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

Healthy Earth and Ecco oil.

Organic Status:Organic

Fig White Adriatic (Grafted) ^9/10

Comments: - It is into full swing with developing its leaves, it was the first of my three figs to get this years leaves.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Pest Control:

Eco oil seaweed pot ash are a few of things used here

Organic Status:Organic

black Sapote (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

have planted a blck Sapote only had it in 6 months but it is looking good. It is a lovely looking plant.Have had new growth but no sign of flowers.

Planted: 2008

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Pest Control:

Have not needed to use but if I do then the usual will be applied.

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Olive - Arbequina ^9/10

Comments: -

This is in a pot until I work out if we have room to put it in the ground.Have now planted this in the ground outside the fence line since I do not think too many people will steal the fruit. It is doing very well in the black clay and have even seen new growth on it.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Pest Control:

Ecco oil and Healthy Earth Products

Organic Status:Organic

Orange - Cara Cara (Grafted) ^9/10

Comments: -

This is in a pot in the full sun.Have just noticed ths week(sept 7) that it is flowering and does it smell good.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Pest Control:

Ecco oil

Organic Status:Organic

Brazilian Cherry ^10/10

Comments: -

Grows slow here but once I began fertilizing with chook poo and seaweed and other things we now how dozens of them. The fruit is astringent but cooks up well with sugar that is if my husband doesn't find them and eat them first.

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

Have not had to use any pest control up to now.

Dwarf Apple - Dorsett Golden ^9/10

Comments: -

It is flowering and looks just lovely.

Planted: 2009

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Pest Control:

eco oil and all the Healthy Earth products

Organic Status:Organic

Dwarf Lemon - Meyer (Grafted) ^10/10

Comments: -

Had this 8 months and have just put it in the ground. Heaps of small lemons coming on. A great little plant.Didn't water enough when we had a week or more of hot weather. Lost a lot of leaves and fruit. We managed to get to it in time and save it and  have a lot of fruit coming on for around xmas

Fruiting Months November and December

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control:

Ecco oil and healthy Earth products

Feijoa - Apollo (Grafted) ^9/10

Comments: -

This is an old favourite from when I was a child

Fruiting Months January, February, March, April

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Yearly, Winter, Spring

Pest Control:

Ecco oil and Healthy Earth products

Organic Status:Organic

comfrey ^10/10

Comments: -

looking forward to having a lot of comfrey as it is a great mulch and a good chook food

Pest Control:

if it needs any then ecco oil and healthy earth plant spray

Organic Status:Organic

Alpinia caerulea - Native Ginger ^9/10

Comments: -

Have just planted these in the shade as I assume they are similar to all other gingers and I will keep a close eye on them

Pest Control:

ecco oil and healthy earth plants spray

Organic Status:Organic

Dwarf Mandarin Honey Murcott ^9/10

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Pest Control:

Ecco oil

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Monstera

Comments: -

Plan to plant this in the sun and against a strong wall.

Pollination: Self Pollination

Mandarin - Sunburst ^9/10

Comments: -

This is in a pot.

Height 1 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Pest Control:

Ecco oil

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Mango - Glenn ^9/10

Comments: -

We have looked forward to this tree for a long time and have planted it in full sun. It will get the same routine as all the other plants here...seeweed and potash and occasional chook poo/

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Pest Control:

Ecco oil

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Aloe Vera ^10/10

Comments: -

Growing full sun and spreading almost like wildfire, is great for burns on the skin.

Planted: 2002

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 60

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

none used

Organic Status:Organic

Blueberry - Sharpblue

Comments: -

In a pot under the trees and looking very healthy.

Blueberry - Powderblue

Comments: -

In a pot under the trees with the others and looking good.

Blueberry - Brightwell

Comments: -

Have this in a pot under the trees and it is looking good.

Blueberry - Biloxi

Comments: -

Have this in a pot in the shade and it is doing well.

Jaboticaba - Grafted

Comments: -

Have had this one year and it is doing okay since it is such a slow grower. It enjoys the liquid seaweed I put around ever 2 to 4 weeks.

Dwarf Mandarin - Afourer

Comments: -

A recent purchase and have planted it on a mound. It looks very healthy.

Feijoa

Comments: -

Have one I planted 12 months ago and it is looking okay.

Feijoa - Duffy

Comments: -

Planted one of these 2 weeks ago and it is looking well.

Walking Stick Palm (Seedling) ^9/10

Comments: -

These are very slow growers but they are looking very good.

I think overwatering followed by rain and 2 dogs running constantly thru the area they were planted played a major roll in their demise.

Height 1 metres

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Spring

Bay Tree (Grafted) ^7/10

Comments: -

Think the drought and the fact that it was outside the property so I could not keep a close eye on it

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Spring

Pest Control:

Will use Ecco oil if needed

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Question:

Have planted it in black clay and just hope it does not get too large(bowen mango is too large).

white Sapote ^8/10

Comments: -

Have a white sapote planted in full sun on the western side of our place. It responds well to liquid seaweed. Shame but the drought got this one

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Organic Status:Organic

Tamarillo - Red (Seedling) ^8/10

Comments: - bought this tree in flower and will leave in the pot.It looked too stressed in a pot so planted it out and it is doing well. Not sure why it died but it did so

Planted: 2009

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting, Winter, Spring

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Raspberry - Heritage (Cutting) ^9/10

Comments: -

Just planted it out towards the west in a place where I can mow over the canes when needed.Only in 4 weeks and it had a sucker! not sure as I have now lost two of these plants.

Height 35 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter and Spring

Pest Control:

I can see rust forming so the Healthy Earth spray will be coming out very soo.

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

How big does one cane grow, does a family of 5 need more than one?

Ceylon Hill Gooseberry ^4/10

Comments: -

Have just planted 2 of these these facing north east and they look healthy and strong. They got overrun by killer tomatoes and I think it blocked the sun and nutrients.

Davidson Plum - NSW

Comments: -

Just planted and it is looking well and healthy. Dog or child knocked it in half and that was the begining of the end.

Pollination: No

Pomegranate - Rosavaya ^1/10

Comments: -

too wet, too humid would do better somewhere like Tamborine or Warwick