Episode: #3 16/09/2006
Presenter: Melissa King

The black English Mulberry is a slow growing tree, but the wait is worthwhile and if you plant a tree in your backyard you are definitely planting for future generations. One of our garden club members contacted the Gurus wanting to know how to keep the ants off the fruit because ants love the fruit just as much as kids.

Just before the fruit is ripe, wrap masking tape around the trunk and then smear the tape with vaseline. The ants get stuck and your fruit is safe.

Most of the citrus trees have finished fruiting and it is usually only the lemon still loaded with fruit. You should be sprinkling a quality citrus fertiliser around the root system every 4-6 weeks until May. Citrus trees have a shallow root system and can?t cope with a huge amount of fertiliser all at once then not at all. They need small amounts regularly throughout the growing season.

Citrus are prone to Citrus leaf miner, the larvae causes curling of the new growth in spring and autumn. This small insect can be controlled by using pest oil, which will also clean up any scale insects on the trees.

As with all plants they require mulching before the real hot weather sets in. Mulching now will reduce the moisture lost through evaporation, so the plant can use it and remember only water accordingly.

If there has been a little rain in the past week turn the reticulation system to off, because we need to save as much water as possible over the next few weeks.

It is the time of the year when we get all enthusiastic about the garden and there are hundreds of plants ready to go into the ground and not enough hours in the day.

Zone or group all plants with the same watering needs together when planting them out. When you take a trip to the garden centre keep this in mind. You will be amazed at how much water you can save. High water users go together, while dry area plants such as succulents are all planted in one bed.

Margie Clemma from Whistlepipe Gardens has achieved zoning brilliantly and has created a spectacular garden using minimal water. If you would like to see how she has done it, the garden is open as part of the Open Garden Scheme.

While you are there join our online Garden for the most comprehensive and up to date local gardening advice around and have your gardening questions personally answered by the gurus.

Whistlepipe Gardens
281 Holmes Rd, Forrestfield
25?26^th November
10am ? 4pm, $5 entry.

Featured Products

Yates Citrus Food

• Specially developed granular fertiliser for feeding garden planted citrus.
• Balanced blend of nitrogen for healthy foliage growth and phosphorus andpotassium for large juicy fruit.
• A fast acting granular plant food.
• Specifically formulated for all types of citrus.
• Also contains trace elements for all round citrus health.

Yates Pest Oil

• For control of citrus leaf miner, scales, mites, mealy bug, aphids and white fly.
• Low toxic and highly effective.
• Includes UV inhibitors which reduce potential leaf burn during hot weather.
• Easy to use.