Talk2grumbles's Edible Backyard

Joined:26/11/08 Updated:24/08/09 Frost:
Location: Sale

About My Edible Backyard

I am an amateur gardener in Victoria.

I like to grow fruit trees specifically citrus and exotics where possible but any fruit or nut tree is likely to end up in my orchard.

All my fruit trees are in large tubs and pruned to about 2- 2 1/2 meters high. This allows the mobility to change the selected site as conditions dictate, or if I decide to move house.

Soil is worm free (worms are great in the normal garden but deplete the quantity of the soil in the tubs) and a mix of good free draining soil and lots of compost. I usually put in a good quantity of vermiculite which I find helps retain moisture at a good level over a period of time. I have a chipper/shredder and all the product from that gets mixed into the soil initially and then provides a mulch cover, reducing moisture loss and providing additional nutrients as it breaks down.

Orchard to date boasts Strawberry Guava, Chilean Guava, Dwarf Peach, Pomello, Tahitian Lime, Arnold blood orange, Cherry, Fig, Blood Plum (Satsuma), lemon, Mandarin, Pepino, Nashi and a Bay Tree.

Very interested in companion planting and aspects of permaculture. Don't believe that just one method on its own produces the desired results but a combination of methods to suit local area and conditions gives excellent results.

Have had a great success growing herbs and chillies in pots.

I use lotsof Chook Pooh (Dynamic Lifter is great but Elders sell a "Chook pooh" which is similar and at greatly reduced cost. Also use seasol or lately maxicrop as an additional supplement at flowering time.

Use lime, blood and bone or other supplements for specific requirements only.

Don't like using commercial sprays and insectacides prefering to use companion plants or home made concoctions which are usually better for the environment and made from ordinary "around the house" contents.

Citrus have few problems and the exotics are doing well even though they are out of the usual climate. I put this down to better soil temperatures as a result of the tubs I use.

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