Jimmy's Edible Backyard

Joined: 30/09/11 Updated: 31/12/11 Frost: None
Location: tallebudgera valley, qld,

About My Edible Backyard

 I visited a relative in bundaberg as a child. they had a fruit orchid with lychees, mangoes and starfruit. I was hooked on tropical fruit! i now live on a 20 ha rural property mainly consisting of sub tropical rainforest. the soil type is clay so all planting have been mounded. the property was a bannana farm until the late eighties and the removal of all top soil is still evident in places. hovever, there are places where the soil is deep and rich. I face a few challenges here in the form of soil quality, drainage, pests (insects, birds, fruit bats, possums, bush turkeys and wallabies) At least we dont get frosts up in the hills!  i find it interesting learning about differnt plants and nutrients  and it will all be worth it to eat my own fruit, hopefully :)

Lemon - Eureka (Grafted) ^7/10

Comments: -

growing well. alot faster than a mandarin purchased at the same time in mid spring

Planted: 2011

Height 600 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

When I Fertilise: Spring

Mandarin - Freemont ^5/10

Comments: -

growing steadily. the plant had small fruit when purchased. removed fruit to concentrate on growing

Planted: 2011

Height 400 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

First Fruited: 1 Months from Purchase in Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

When I Fertilise: Spring

Question:

Macadamia - A38 (Grafted) ^7/10

Comments: -

established well  only a few months old, new growth late spring

Height 400 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

When I Fertilise: Spring

Macadamia 741 (Grafted) ^9/10

Comments: -

quite happy with this type   didnt grow much in cooler months but both are going well early summer

Planted: 2011

Height 0.5 metres

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Spring

Avocado - Hass (A) (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

growing slowly but steadily. they seem to grow in spurts.

Planted: 2011

Height 0.75 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Question:

planted in a mound on quite heavy soil. going well now but will the trees die off when the roots hit the heavier/ wetter soil? should i condition soil with liquid gypsum and anti rot now even though no probs?

Dwarf Mulberry - Red Shahtoot (Grafted) ^7/10

Comments: -

quite slow growing compared to the white as it is a dwarf. seems to be getting thicker instead of taller. got a couple of fruit  very tasty

Fruiting Months October and November

Planted: 2011

Height 400 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

First Fruited: 6 Months from Purchase in Pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Autumn and Spring

When I Fertilise: Spring

Question:

 tree seems very dense  do dwarf trees need extra pruning?

Tamarillo - Red ^8/10

Comments: -

quick growing tree but they dont like the cold. i bought two orange seedlings a couple of months before the cold weather.both grew 2 feet then stopped and died off in the cooler months. purchased 2 reds after cold weather and now at years end, the reds are nearly the same size even though about 4 months younger and all 4 are flowering/fruiting. good idea to plant/establish  before winter.

Fruiting Months December

Planted: 2011

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 4

First Fruited: 9 Months from Purchase in Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Question:

Chestnut - seedling (Seedling) ^7/10

Comments: -

had a few leaves when purchased, both lost all over winter decid- i guess. lots of new growth late spring.

Planted: 2011

Height 500 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

When I Fertilise: Spring

Organic Status:Partially Organic

Mulberry - White Shahtoot (Grafted) ^10/10

Comments: -

never tried white mulberrys. established last autumn, lost all leaves over winter, flushed with new growth mid spring.

i love these white mulberrys.  great tasting, got about 15  and at only 6 months. they have  concentrated on growing now in early summer and both have gone nuts after a light prune.

Fruiting Months September, October, November, December

Planted: 2011

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

First Fruited: 6 Months from Purchase in Pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer and Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting and Spring

Question:

Carambola - Kembangan (Grafted)

Comments: -

they dont like cold. but our lowest temp was about 4 deg c this winter and they survived. one lost nearly all its leaves but has lots of new growth in spring.

Height 500 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

When I Fertilise: Spring

Question:

Carambola - Kary Seedling (Seedling) ^7/10

Comments: -

stopped growing over winter, lost some leaves.  i read they stop growing when temps below 20. now, late spring, lots of new growth.

Height 400 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Spring

Question:

Avocado - Secondo (A) (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

would love some avos, so i bought a couple of hass and a secendo.  planted march, established but all slowed nearly to a stop over winter. beginning of spring, secendo flowered and is  now flushed with new growth. hass buds beginning to bloom mid spring.

Planted: 2011

Height 500 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Spring

Question:

I have used no pest control. noticed stems and trunks of hass avos with brown blotches, any ideas?  Also new growth on secondo is being eaten by small, long, green insects similar to a praying mantis. Pyrethrum spray says do not use on new growth and i would like a safer option. would a garlic or white oil spray be ok on a secendo?