MakJeng1's Edible Backyard

Joined: 13/08/09 Updated: 12/07/23 Frost:
Location: MUDGEERABA

About My Edible Backyard

Commenced serious cultivation in June 2008 after major landscaping work.
a) Possum proof bird wire enclosed herb & vegie garden with supported beds - flat area -' imported' 12 metres of good soil.
b) Mini orchard on an easterly slope, roughly 30x8 M, poor soil which is mostly rubbly clayish disturbed sub-soil; area was constructed as part of solving a major drainage problem. About 5 barrows of commercial top soil was blended in for each tree planting location. Soil improved with 1/2 bag of Searles 5-in-1 or similar amount of home compost per tree (annually). Area mulched with 'forest mulch' ,the cheapest stuff. Full sun from dawn to about 3pm in summer, then shadowy due to trees and hill behind.
c) Long planter boxes approx 20 metres total length in 3 metre sections x 400mm high x 500 wide; with 3 metre high 5 strand wire trellis along my boundary as privacy and for growing vines and climbers.

Challenges:
a) wildlife foraging includes; possums , scrub turkey, hares, wallabys, bush rats, bandicoots, birds ... maybe others.
b) plant health, growth rate
c) soil quality
d) water

Low multi wire electric fence keeps possums out.
Rainwater adequate so far.

2010 More bugs than expected within the possum proof enclosure possibly due to lack of birds? Using pest oil and chilli/capsicum sprays from time to time. Partially effective.

Comments

Custard Apple - Pinks Mammoth (Seedling) ^8/10

Comments: -

So far so good. I found some of this variety on sale at Rusty's Bazaar in Cairns. I told the grower I thought it was too low yielding for commercial use. He suggested a heavy pruning with removal of all leaves in autumn, dynamic lifter in spring and fertilizer when buds appear, followed by hand pollenation.
It is December and the tree looks healthy, waiting for flowering.

Planted: 2009

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pruned By: 40% in Autumn and Winter

Pollination: Hand Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting and Spring

Comments

Wow - what excellent advice! It sounds like he really knows what he is speaking about. I should let people know on my hobby-site for gardeners. I love going to a Saturday Market not far from here to by my fruit. It will be even better picking them at home.

Passionfruit - Granadilla ^8/10

Comments: -

Third attempt to grow Granadillas. This time it is enclosed and growing in a big pot for individual control. I have my Grannie's recipe waiting.

Fruiting Months October

Height 3 metres

Growing: In a Pot

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Hand Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter

Organic Status:Organic

Pomegranite - Wonderful ^9/10

Comments: -

After it produced its first quite large fruit, about 6 or 7 pieces (see picture) , I pruned the tree down to easy picking height in autumn. Top dressed with compost and mulched with ti-tree in spring. Watered every week or two if there was no rain and it flowered profusely in Sep/Oct. The bees have many natives to choose from at that time so I hand pollenated every so often.
At present early Dec. it looks like crop will be about 2 dozen fruits.

Fruiting Months February and March

Planted: 2007

Height 2.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 3 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Spring

Pest Control:

None

Organic Status:Organic

Feijoa - Mammoth

Curry Tree ^7/10

Comments: -

Planted in a 'tough' spot but doing OK.
Cooking with the fresh leaves is way better than dried.

Planted: 2009

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

None

Davidson\'s Plumb (Native)

Comments: -

In amongst other natives, no special treatment, 50% shaded, slow growing but appears to be tough. Water only if it has not rained for a month or so.

Pollination: No

Comments

Ceylon Hill Gooseberry

Comments: -

Knock off any suckers. No bird problems. More moist soil than other areas. Attractive flowers. Not pruned yet. No serious bugs or disease yet.
Small amount of fruit after one year which was stewed up into a sweet topping syrup. Good purple colour and interesting flavour.

Pollination: No

Loquat - Nagasakiwase ^10/10

Comments: -

Severely pruned by wallabies in its first year. No fruit yet but growing well. Loquat makes terrific jam.

Planted: 2008

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Papaya - Sri Lankan Red

Comments: -

First fruit after a year. It got off to a slow start but after a dose of compost it took off. Two were planted at the same time and growth rates were very different. Plan to wrap the fruit in aggie cloth and wrap trunk in stiff plastic to keep the critters off.

Growing within low solar powered electric fence which keeps possums out (see pic.)
Wiring is to ground then live-ground-live so they can't avoid touching both wires.

Pollination: No

Passionfruit - Panama Red (Grafted) ^10/10

Comments: -

Growing really wel in a big planter box. Rainwater drip irrigation every second day as soil drains too well. Compost added 2 or 3 times a year. Like everything else, possums and birds are a problem.

Fruiting Months July and August

Planted: 2008

Height 3 metres

Growing: In a Pot

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Searles 5-in-1 organic compost or home made compost

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

None

Organic Status:Organic

Guava - Indian

Comments: -

Heavily pruned last year so that fruit remains within reach. Pant was very scrappy for the first 2 years but with a lot of compost it has come good. Intermittant grey water.

Despite full nylon netting something keeps getting under the net and partially eats the green fruit. Doesn't taste too good so try the next one!
Next step is to wire net perimiter with bird net over the top. Otherwise there will be nothing left for me to cook into Guava Jelly.

Planted: 2006

Height 3 metres

Growing: In the Ground

First Fruited: 3 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Rosella

Planted: 2008

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Comments

Lemonade Tree (Grafted)

Planted: 2009

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Cumquat - Australian (Grafted) ^8/10

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pruned By: 20% in After Fruiting

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Spring

Lime - Tahitian

Pollination: No

Dwarf Orange - Valencia

Planted: 2008

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Mango - Kensington Pride

Water Given in: Spring

When I Fertilise: Winter

Lemon - Eureka

Fig - Brown Turkey

Planted: 2008

Dwarf Mulberry - Black (Grafted)

Planted: 2009

Macadamia - Pinkalicious

Comments: -

Very tough conditions with low watering?

Pollination: Hand Pollination

Passionfruit - Select Black ^5/10

Comments: -

Growing in big planterbox. Notlookingl as good as the Panama Red but fruiting well. Critters seem to attack the Black more than the Red for some reason. Foilage not as dense?

Height 3 metres

Growing: In a Pot

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Organic compost

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Finger lime - Rainforest pearl

Comments: -

My plant is struggling. Semi-deciduous?

Jan-2010 it did not make it through the very dry period before recent flooding rain, despite weekly watering. My conclusion is that the soil was too well drained and maybe not sufficiently rich in organic matter. Nearby ornamental natives are thriving.

Planted: 2008

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Avocado - Hass (A) (Grafted)

Comments: -

Soil/disease problem?