Jessica1's Edible Backyard

Joined: 04/09/09 Updated: 04/09/09 Frost:
Location: South Maroota

About My Edible Backyard

We bought this house almost 7 years ago. The soil in some parts can only be dug using a pinch bar to get down and inch, then fill with water, leave overnight and try again the next morning, and the next, and the next unti desire depth! We have clay, fine sandy and some loam, and often strike sandstone. It is challenging, but plants are amazingly resilient. The front garden faces N/W, the fruit 'orchard' is scattered along the S/W, but gets sun most of the day, with the harsh western sun dipping below the tree line which protects them from the worst.

Comments

Cape Gooseberry (Seedling) ^9/10

Comments: -

Planted by a friend in the ornamental garden. Tough as nails and able to get a smattering of fruit this year.

Fruiting Months September and October

Height 2 Feet

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Fruit Harvest: 0.25 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Cow manure

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting

Pest Control:

None

Organic Status:Organic

Guava - Strawberry (Grafted) ^9/10

Comments: -

Planted out of childhood nostalgia. Doing very well with no additional care other than water in hot weather first year in.

Planted: 2008

Height 2 Feet

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic Lifter/cow manure

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

None required

Organic Status:Organic

Apple - Dorsett Golden (Grafted) ^6/10

Comments: -

Flowers and forms fruit, which get stolen by the birds. Lovely tree.

Fruiting Months March

Height 7 Feet

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 2 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pruned By: 20% in Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic Lifter/Cow manure

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

Some insect problems such as mealy bugs.

Organic Status:Organic

Quince - Smyrna (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

Much loved young tree. Can't wait for my first crop.

Planted: 2006

Height 6 Feet

First Fruited: 2 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pruned By: 20% in Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Cow Manure

When I Fertilise: Yearly, Winter, Spring

Pest Control:

None

Organic Status:Organic

Lime - Kaffir (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

Tough as nails, but loathe to plant in ground as it can be a devil.

Fruiting Months April

Planted: 2004

Height 2.5 Feet

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 4 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic Lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

None.

Organic Status:Organic

Orange - Valencia Seedless (Grafted) ^8/10

Comments: -

Inherited in a sad way when we bought the property. Initially thought it was a lemon as the plant was growing prolifically from below the graft untion. Once water shoots removed, and after 7 years it has proved to be a seedless valencia. Fruit not as attractive or sweet as Washington, but a good marmalade fruit. Not an ideal planting position as below larger trees in a southerly aspect, but still crops well. A toughy.

Fruiting Months June and July

Planted: 2002

Height 6 Feet

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 6 kilograms per Year

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly and Spring

Pest Control:

Yearly prune to remove gall wasp damage, and to controll for coming season.

Organic Status:Organic

Orange - Washington Navel (Grafted) ^10/10

Comments: -

Bought 15 years ago and only put in soil 7 years ago. Wonderful fruiting, bumper crop each year, no diseases or pests - including gall wasp - remarkable as it sits next to a lemonade lemon which gets quite badly affected. Very occassionally fed, when I remember. Wonderful shape with no pruning. Fruit is much sought after by neighbours who like sweet, juicy, no spray fruit.

Fruiting Months May and June

Planted: 2003

Height 5 Feet

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 20 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly and Spring

Pest Control:

None required thus far.

Organic Status:Organic

Mulberry - White Shahtoot ^9/10

Comments: -

Planted 2 years ago as a knee high plant and forgotten about. Now just over five feet high, but yet to fruit. Doing very well in a westerly aspect with little or no additional watering. No pests or diseases, but needs a trim.

Height 5 Feet

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic Lifter 1st year

When I Fertilise: Yearly and Spring

Pest Control:

None required at this stage.

Organic Status:Organic

Lime - Tahitian (Grafted) ^9/10

Comments: -

Given to me after a tough life in the previous owners pot for a number of years. Planted below the septic tank in a sheltered position with morning and midday sun. Never looked back, fruits brilliantly every year. Some problems with gall wasp.

Fruiting Months May and June

Planted: 2003

Height 5 Feet

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 8 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic Lifter

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

Gall wasp removal yearly.

Organic Status:Organic

Lemonade Tree (Grafted) ^6/10

Comments: -

Is only just starting to grow well now, after 2 years of being cut down by pet geese. Points for toughness. Quite a draw card for the gall wasp.

Fruiting Months May and June

Planted: 2007

Height 3 Feet

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Dynamic Lifter

When I Fertilise: Winter

Pest Control:

Gall wasp infestations removed before 31 August each year.

Organic Status:Organic