Albert1's Edible Backyard

Joined: 26/11/08 Updated: 20/09/09 Frost:
Location: Goodna

About My Edible Backyard

Approaching retirement and decided that I would take up gardening again. My property is an old 40 perch allotment which served as a football and cricket oval as my 4 boys grew up. It had a few native trees which managed to survive and a home grown bowen mango tree. I had to remove a poincianna tree which had taken over a quarter of the yard.

Because of the drought and the water restrictions the yard was almost bare of grass. The top soil in this area is not very deep and you are soon into clay. I had to import topsoil 30 years ago in order to establish a lawn. I decided that I would establish a vegetable garden by using a variation of a no dig method as well as establish a fruit orchard. I am also establishing flower gardens and planting more native scrubs.

The rainfall is mainly storms in spring and rain in summer. I aim to have the vegetable garden productive during autumn and winter with more hardy types growing in summer. I hope to have rainwater tanks in place over this spring (2009). When I have more water the vegetable garden should be more productive.

I am providing most of the fresh vegetables and herbs required for the 2 of us plus we are able to supply other family members and friends with some of our excess.

Just as I started my vegetable garden, my son gave me 4 hens. They immediately destoyed part of my crop before I was able to provide a secure enclosure around my vegie patch. They provide us with eggs and fertiliser. I have also used an old washing machine as a worm farm to provide another source of fertiliser.

Comments

grape waltham cross (Grafted)

Comments: -

planted may 2009. waiting to see if it takes. september 2009 showing signs of life.

Planted: 2009

Height 0.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pear - Hood (Grafted)

Comments: -

planted august 2009.

Planted: 2009

Height 1 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Question:

need another for cross polination floridahome.

apple - beauty of bath (Grafted)

Comments: -

received for father's day. This is an old english variety and I am not sure whether this climate is cold enough. Grafted on dwarfing rootstck MM102.

Planted september 2009 and the first leaves have developed.

Planted: 2009

Height 0.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Vegetables (Seedling) ^8/10

Comments: -

started a no dig garden april 2008. 8 beds 2400 X 1200. This winter the first real crops was planted an harvested. The spring crop of tomatoes, celery, peas, strawberies, leaks, onions, silverbeat, spinach, bush beans, zucinis, lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot, spring onions, garlic, potatoes, garlic are well established and progressively being harvested together with several herbs. Coriander, basil, parsley, sage, dill, oregano, rosemary, lavender.

Fruiting Months January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Organic Status:Organic

Loquat - Seedling ^6/10

Comments: -

damaged early by hail storm. Still recovering.

Planted: 2008

Height 1.5 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: organic

Organic Status:Organic

Orange - Valencia Seedless (Grafted) ^6/10

Comments: -

damaged early by hail storm then infested by leaf miners.still recovering. allowed to fruit. oranges were small and sour. will prevent from fruiting this year to maximise recovery.

Fruiting Months March, April, May, June

Planted: 2008

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

First Fruited: 2009 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: organic

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

leaf miners homemade white oil spring onwards.

Organic Status:Organic

Passionfruit - Panama Red Pandora (Seedling) ^6/10

Comments: -

planted may 2009. growing vigorously.

Planted: 2009

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Nectarine - White Satin (Grafted)

Comments: -

planted august 2009

Planted: 2009

Height 0.4 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Peach - Flordagold (Grafted)

Comments: -

planted august 2009

Planted: 2009

Height 0.4 metres

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Avocado - Reed (A) (Grafted) ^6/10

Comments: -

planted 2 august 2009.

Planted: 2009

Height 60 Centimetres

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Organic Status:Organic

Papaya - Southern Red ^6/10

Comments: -

purchased 2. Only 1 has provided fruit the other appears to have male flowers only. Fruit taste great.

Fruiting Months January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Planted: 2008

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

First Fruited: 2008 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: organic

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting

Pest Control:

no pests

Organic Status:Organic

Comments

Dwarf Mulberry - Black (Cutting) ^6/10

Comments: -

cut back after it fruited. new growth with fruit late winter/early spring.

Fruiting Months August, September, October, November

Planted: 2008

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 2008 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pruned By: 30% in After Fruiting, Summer, Autumn, Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: organic

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Organic Status:Organic

Guava Hawaiian (Seedling) ^7/10

Comments: -

damaged early by hail. recovering very well and is growing vigorously.

Planted: 2008

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pruned By: 5% in Spring

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: organic

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Organic Status:Organic

Lemon - Meyer (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

damaged early by hail storm then infested by leaf miners. A couple of lemons were allowed to develop to see what the quaility of the fruit would be. Quality good.

Fruiting Months May

Planted: 2008

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 2009 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: organic

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

leaf miners homemade white oil from spring onwards.

Organic Status:Organic

Mango - Bowen Seedling (Seedling) ^6/10

Comments: -

grew from seed 20 years ago but it was damaged when sewer line had to be repaired. now neightbours trees placed it in shade. Fruit is delicious. last year all but one were stripped from the tree by a hail storm. The crows beat me to the survivor.

Fruiting Months January, November, December

Planted: 2002

Height 6 metres

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 10 Years from Seed

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

When I Fertilise: Never

Mandarin - Emperor (Grafted) ^6/10

Comments: -

Damaged early by hail storm then infested by leaf miners so the tree is in recovery mode.

Planted: 2008

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: organic

Pest Control:

leaf miners white oil (home made) spring onwards

Organic Status:Organic