Jan4's Edible Backyard

Joined: 28/06/13 Updated: 28/06/13 Frost:
Location: Mt Gipps

About My Edible Backyard

I love the independence edible plants gives me. You cannot help but be in tune with the seasons, and the quality of home grown produce is far superior to anything you can buy in the supermarket. We get frost here in the winter but our summers can be very hot so the climate is a challenge but I am learning what will work and what doesn't. Our soil is mostly heavy black clay except  on the creek flat where it is good loam but prone to  flooding and frost. Frost tender trees are closer to the house and those that like frost are down on the creek flat.

Comments

Lemon Myrtle (Seedling) ^10/10

Comments: - Easy to grow and useful for tea, cordial ,flavouring. It fits into a bush garden very well and looks attractive

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Pest Control: Its never been necessary

Lemon - Lisbon ^10/10

Comments: - Seems citrus like it here. This has only been planted about 2 years and has grown well and has a good crop for it's size this year. Good flavour, plenty of juice.

Fruiting Months April, May, June, July

Planted: 2010

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 2 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Manual, I use Eco Oil if I notice any scale.

Question: When should I prune citrus?

Orange - Smooth Seville ^10/10

Comments: -

This is a lovely little tree. The fruit is essential if you like the flavour of real marmalade. The marmalade always sets beautifully because of the high pectin content and has a fragrant sourness that other oranges don't have. It is too sour to eat, but you can use it the same way you use lemons in a variety of drinks and recipes. It makes a very good Orange Delicious pudding.

The tree also looks beautiful in the garden. Mine is still quite young but has been vigorous right from the start. I should probably remove more of the fruit as it has probably set too many. I have already removed quite a lot earlier in the season. A generous fruiter! I have never actually weighed the harvest but there's more than I can use.

Fruiting Months May, June, July

Planted: 2010

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Manure and compsot

When I Fertilise: When Fruiting and Spring

Pest Control: Manually pick off pests.

Organic Status:Organic

Australian Round Lime (Grafted) ^9/10

Comments: -

This tree was slow to start growing but has been very hardy and productive. Lots of fruit and it makes a great lime pickle. The flavour is similar to finger limes, in fact, I think it is better than some varieties of finger lime I have tasted. It fruits when there is not a lot of other citrus ready ,which is useful.   I use it in a variety of recipes. I will post a better photo of the tree when it has some fruit on, but it is middle of winter and it's not doing much just now.

Fruiting Months January and December

Planted: 2006

Height 4 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 10 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 5 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: chook manure occasionally

Pest Control: Manually pick off orange bugs using gloves and drop into soapy water. They don't infest the tree every year so I haven't had to do this for a few years.

Organic Status:Organic