SubTropicalOasisGarden1's Edible Backyard

Joined: 15/08/09 Updated: 15/11/09 Frost:
Location: Bentleigh East

About My Edible Backyard

Our Sub Tropical Oasis is being created by Grade 5/6 students who are part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.

At the beginning of our garden classes the students expressed an interest in growing mangoes and other more interesting fruit trees so we decided to turn an area of the school into a Sub Tropical Garden.

Even though growing a mango is not the 'done thing' in Melbourne, the students discussed what the challenages might be and how to create an micro climate. The students  decided it was worth giving it a go.

The area being developed is a large courtyard area protected by buildings to the north and to the south.

The Oasis has had large amounts of council compost (recycled green waste), chip mulch, straw. horse manure and home made compost added over the last 5 months and is almost ready for planting. Our Daleys plants have just arrived and planting will commence shortly.

Our recent annual rainfall has been low compared to past averages. The local soccer club has been keeping figures since 1971 when 700mm plus per year was the norm. The last few years we have been getting around 500mm on average.

Our school has around 60 000 litres of tank storage to care for our food gardens. To maintain constant water for The Oasis under mulch soaker hoses will be used, as well as hand watering for selected trees.

Our biggest challenages will be weather affects from the east and west. Our wind break plantings are just being created, until then we plan to use shade cloth and other barriers.

As part of the celebration of creating the Oasis, the students will share a selection of tropical fruits representing what they have planted, since our Oasis will not be producing crops until the students have finished secondary school.

I look forward to the same students returning to their primary school in the years to come and see the 'fruits' of their labour.

Comments

Lemon - Eureka

Planted: 2002

Pollination: No

Lemongrass

Height 30 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 15

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Cuttings donated by a parent in October 2009.

Organic Status:Organic

plum

Pollination: No

blueberry

Planted: 2009

Height 40 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 50

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

We are creating two blueberry lanes of varies types.

Organic Status:Certified

Berry - Youngberry

Pollination: No

Dragon Fruit - Red

Pollination: No

Dragon Fruit - Yellow

Pollination: No

grape vine

Planted: 2002

Height 3 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

two large vines growing over our traditional garden fence. unknown types.

Organic Status:Organic

Mulberry - White Shahtoot

Height 50 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Organic Status:Organic

Fig Black Genoa

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Organic Status:Organic

Apricot - Moorpark

Height 1.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: compost and worm castings

Pest Control:

Donated by Flemings.

Organic Status:Organic

Chinese Water Chestnut

Planted: 2009

Height 10 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Donated by a parent and some stock purchased from CERES. Growing them in an old bath.

Organic Status:Organic

Monstera - Fruit Salad Tree

Planted: 2002

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Donated by friend, has been in a pot for years, very stunted but is going well now it is in the ground.

Organic Status:Organic

banana

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Unknown type, donated by a parent.

Organic Status:Organic

sugar cane

Planted: 2009

Height 20 Centimetres

Growing: In the Ground

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Donated by a local gardener from a locally grown plant.

Organic Status:Organic

olive

Planted: 2002

Height 2 metres

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: straw or sugar cane mulch

Pest Control:

two unknown types, one is in a large pot the other in the ground.

Organic Status:Organic

Aloe Vera

Planted: 2008

Height 40 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Donated to the school from a gardener in East Gippsland, unknown type.

Organic Status:Organic

loquat seedling

Planted: 2009

Height 20 Centimetres

Growing: In a Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Shade

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: compost and worm castings.

Pest Control:

We have about 20 seedlings donated from a gardener in Doncaster Victoria. Hundreds of seedlings come up every years from a very large Loquat tree in her back yard which makes wonderful jam and eating fruit. Four seedlings have been planted into large p

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

Has anyone got recipe ideas they would like to share?

Lime - Tahitian

Pollination: No

Lime - Kaffir

Pollination: No

Grapefruit - Marshs Seedless

Pollination: No

peach

Pollination: No

Pear - Williams

Pollination: No

Pear - Packhams Triumph

Pollination: No

Apple granny smith

Pollination: No

Apple - Pink Lady

Pollination: No

nectarine

Pollination: No

Pepino - Kendall Gold

Pollination: No

Tamarillo - Red

Pollination: No

Guava - Strawberry

Pollination: No

Avocado - Hass (A)

Pollination: No

Avocado - Bacon (B)

Pollination: No

Cardamon Ginger

Pollination: No

Black Sapote

Pollination: No

Jaboticaba - Yellow

Pollination: No

Guava - Mexican Cream

Pollination: No

Green Sapote

Pollination: No

Canistel

Pollination: No

Longan - Biew Kiew

Pollination: No

Acerola - Florida Sweet

Pollination: No

Tamarind

Pollination: No

Ambarella

Pollination: No

Casana

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Just arived will be planted in the coming weeks.

Organic Status:Organic

Mango - Kwan (Seedling)

Comments: -

Will be planted in a sheltered North East corner. Planning to build a cold weather cover for the cooler months.

Planted: 2009

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: compost and worm castings

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

Is anyone else attempting to grow mango in Melbourne?

Peach - Aztec Gold (Grafted) ^10/10

Fruiting Months February

Planted: 2007

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Fruit Harvest: 3 kilograms per Year

Pest Control:

none, just natural balances, good bug plants.

Organic Status:Organic