Crookie's Edible Backyard

Joined: 26/11/08 Updated: 13/08/10 Frost:
Location: Crows Nest

About My Edible Backyard

We moved into our newly built home October 2008, with our 5 chooks and dog.  We aim to have plenty of fruit and veges and are well on our way towards that goal, with plenty of trees, vines and bushes planted already.  Everything is still small of course, but that's not the point! 

Our block is 970m2, a rectangle sloping to the West.  The garden is North facing and has late afternoon shade from neighbouring gum trees so has some protection from the harsh Western sun. 

Apparently our average rainfall is 850mm but I'm pretty sure it's been less than that these last few years!  We have two tanks that collect 22,200L of rainwater to use in the house and garden, with town water to some of the house and as a backup when the tanks empty. 

Our soil is ok for a new development, it used to be farmland.  We have a sandy loam with the odd worm or two discovered when preparing garden beds.  We do get frosts and had a couple of fairly heavy frosts this year that took a few of our plants out.  At present our property also gets cold winds from the South. 

I am still learning how much frost we get and when, and so forth.  Plus things will change as plants and trees grow and provide shelter etc.

Comments

Callistemon Willow Bottlebrush ^8/10

Comments: -

Bought for the boundary to fill in plantings on the council parkland.  The trees are settling in nicely after waiting far too long in their tubes.

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Passionfruit - Black

Comments: -

Badly frosted and I've spoken kindly to it and am waiting to see if it returns from the brink of death. 

Planted: 2009

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Fertiliser or Organics Used: animal manure

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

Kiwifruit - H4 Female ^7/10

Comments: -

We planted these to grow over a gazebo type structure we built over the asparagus row.  The plan is to have them provide some shade in summer for the asparagus, plus it's a good use of space!

Hard to tell if this is going to break forth in spring or if it's struggling, there was growth prior to winter then the leaves dropped and now I've fed it and am waiting to see what happens.

Planted: 2009

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Pest Control:

none

Organic Status:Organic

Blueberry - Biloxi

Comments: -

Bought in March, now growing well.  Is South of a fence so I'm hoping it grows quickly so as to get enough sunshine.  It is currently flowering and seems to be happy enough.  I have a Misty for cross pollination.

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Cross Pollinator Variety: Misty

Dwarf Apple - Pinkabelle PBR

Comments: -

Fabulous little tree growing well.  Kept it in a pot for some time while we were building, and it grew well.  Now settled happily into the earth, with buds forming.

Planted: 2009

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Cross Pollinator Variety: Granny Smith

Pest Control:

I'll use exclusion bags for fruit, companion planting and naturalure?

Organic Status:Organic

Lomandra longifolia - Mat Rush

Comments: -

I bought a few of these, split them up and have planted them around the dry creek drainage bed at the front and side of the house. 

Planted: 2009

Qty: 8

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Turmeric - Orange

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Strawberry - Maroochy Flame ^9/10

Comments: -

Lovely strawberries, struggled a bit while I had them in pots while we built, but now they're in the ground they have taken off and we are currently enjoying berries from them.

Growing: In the Ground

First Fruited: 3 Months from Purchase in Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Pest Control:

nothing

Organic Status:Organic

Berry - Youngberry ^8/10

Comments: -

Still potted, waiting for planting out... oops!

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Organic Status:Organic

Peach - Tropic Snow ^10/10

Comments: -

Rapid growth, beautiful blossoms.  Something drilled into many of the tips (before winter), causing them to drop the tip leaves and weep.  I think it may be an aphid so pyrethrum will be used if it happens in future.  The tree is currently covered in gorgeous blossoms and new leaves are forming.

Planted: 2008

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Pest Control:

I will companion plant around the tree and use pyrethrum and exclusion bagging.

Organic Status:Organic

Apple - Granny Smith

Comments: -

Very happy with Granny, it had nice bursts of growth shortly after planting, and settled in nicely before winter.  I'm expecting spring growth soon.

Planted: 2008

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Cross Pollinator Variety: Pinkabelle?

Pest Control:

I will most likely use exclusion bags, and am preparing the surrounding beds to plant companion ground covers to help deter moths etc.

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

Does the Pinkabelle cross pollinate the Granny Smith or is it only the other way around?  Do I need a third apple tree?

Comments

Cherry - Pretty Gully ^7/10

Comments: -

I planted it in an area that was not draining well enough and it suffered shock.  Over winter I moved it and assumed it was lost forever, but I dosed it up with Seasol and cow manure and spoke kindly to it... actually cut a small twig today to check it was dead before removing it, and it is not dead after all.  So I hope to see it burst forth with life as the seasons warm... time will tell!

Pollination: No

Organic Status:Organic

Asparagus - Mary Washington ^10/10

Comments: -

Planted and left unharvested first season.  Cut down and mulched after tops died off, cow manure added over winter.  Second season fantastic!  Coming into our third and we are thrilled with them.  9 of 10 thrived, replaced 1 crown.

Planted: 2007

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 10

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: cow manure, seasol.

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting and Winter

Pest Control:

none

Organic Status:Organic