Episode:#11 11/11/06
Presenter: Kim Syrus

Have you ever dreamt about going into the garden and picking your own avocado or maybe collecting some macadamia nuts? Well Kim drops into Perry?s Fruit and Nut Nursery at McLaren Flat to see how you can make this dream become a reality.

Both Avocados (Persea sp. ?Fuerte?) and Macadamias (Macadamia integrifolia cv.) can be successfully grown in Adelaide. Selecting the right variety though is critical. The Haas or Reed varieties are the best avocados for the local conditions, while the grafted Macadamia does really well in this area.

Because they can grow into large trees, avocado and macadamias are better suited to the bigger garden. Start by selecting a spot that is both sunny and also sheltered from the north wind, this will help protect the leaves from being severely scorched.

Avocados and Macadamias need well drained soil to stop any root rotting, planting on a mound will really help with drainage and allow the tree to grow and quickly establish. Keep up regular deep watering, drip irrigation is best. Mulching is very important, spread the mulch under the tree, and just remember to keep it away from the trunk.

Avocados will begin to fruit within 2 to 3 years. Pick your avocados when they have developed a good size and begin to change colour. They are mature before picking but not ready to use. Store them until they soften and then they are just right to cut open and eat.

You don?t need to pick your fruit all at once, avocados will hang on the tree for quite awhile making it simple to grab a few at a time and extending your the harvest for many months

Macadamia trees are very good at hiding their special bounty. Beginning as pendulous flowers, the macadamia nuts slowly develop into clusters of round green balls which eventually change colour to brown while the outer skin develops a hard covering.

As the nuts ripen, they fall off the tree and are easily picked up. To get the macadamia nut out, you first need to remove the outer husk. Peeling it off reveals a hard brown shell.

Be careful when you are cracking the shell not to smash and mash the nut, a couple of firm taps with the hammer will break it open or, you can use a special device made to make it even easier to remove the delicious nut.

If you have the space and the right spot in your garden, have a go at growing an avocado or maybe a macadamia tree. Just think, before you know it, you will be harvesting your very own mouth watering bounty.

Perry?s Fruit and Nut Nursery
http://www.perrysfruitnursery.com.au/
Kangarilla Road
McLaren Flat SA 5171
(08) 8383 0268