portlaunay Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 This might be a long, slow burn thread this one but there must be others out there who want to grow veggies, natives or perhaps even rare orchids. Gardening here is very different to the UK - obviously the climate, proximity to the ocean and the soil (well, sand) all mean that growing is another new thing to learn or adapt to. I know nothing really; much more of a chuck it in the ground and see what happens type but last year I had some amazing capsicum and paprika. I expected my tomatoes to be glorious but they were dry and floury. Chillies have been a big grower and we have a lemon and a lime tree in the garden. One of our beds I'm going to keep native and focus on Kangaroo Paws but they're pretty delicate and my dog keeps running through them so I need something spiky but pretty to plant alongside them. Any suggestions? Once the sun shows up again we're going to put some Avo's out and I'd also like to bring on a Pistachio tree though I know they don't fruit for at least six years. For now the plan is just to enrich the soil; sheep poo, blood and bone, charcoal, sugarcane, bentonite and mushroom compost to name but a few of the choices available because there's naff all in there at the moment. So, what do you grow? What tips do you have for others and what questions do you need answers to? Where do you get your supplies from and what would you recommend for those just arriving and wanting to get productive in the garden or planter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbyjock Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 I've got a real mix, when we moved in it was a bit if a jungle, so we pulled most of it out and started from scratch. In containers, I have dwarf mango and lemon, and in the ground I've planted grapevine (has done really well and had quite a few bunches last year) a few dwarf apple trees, cherry guava, a pomegranite tree, loquat tree, plumcot, cherry and olive. We be been in the house nearly 6 years and summer just gone we finally got some decent apples, the cherry guava and lemon are doing well too. I keep coffee grindings for the garden and I keep burying banana skins in there too. The soil in some parts of the garden is just pure sand, I used to keep chickens and found they helped to improve the soil. Biggest problem at the minute is the weeds popping up after the rain we've had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinetic Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Surprised about the tomatoes, thought you would be able to grow them for 9 months of the year. Could try burying some water retaining granules in the compost to see if that helps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted August 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 I've got a real mix, when we moved in it was a bit if a jungle, so we pulled most of it out and started from scratch. In containers, I have dwarf mango and lemon, and in the ground I've planted grapevine (has done really well and had quite a few bunches last year) a few dwarf apple trees, cherry guava, a pomegranite tree, loquat tree, plumcot, cherry and olive. We be been in the house nearly 6 years and summer just gone we finally got some decent apples, the cherry guava and lemon are doing well too. I keep coffee grindings for the garden and I keep burying banana skins in there too. The soil in some parts of the garden is just pure sand, I used to keep chickens and found they helped to improve the soil. Biggest problem at the minute is the weeds popping up after the rain we've had. Sounds awesome and I hear what you're saying about the weeds, that's my project for today - stripping them out of my native bed. Do all of your trees fruit? Do they each need different nutrients and attention? Is everything in full sun and are you very close to the ocean? I'd like to know how your cherries and pomegranate's are, quite fancy putting some of those in the ground. Our coffee grounds go into the compost, do you put them straight into the soil? Surprised about the tomatoes, thought you would be able to grow them for 9 months of the year. Could try burying some water retaining granules in the compost to see if that helps... I think the issue, essentially, was lack of care and attention on my part. They had plenty of water and I experimented with watering the roots of some plants and the whole of others but it didn't seem to matter, the soil just has no water retention properties so I'll try your suggestion of adding granules as the sand to soil isn't that effective. They do grow well, we had plenty of them and a lot I dried out in the sun, they just didn't have that explosion of flavour I was expecting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfie Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Advice on the grass lawn would be most appreciated. Last year I was like an Sri Lankan tea picker out there hand picking weeds, I am afraid I have had to resort to weed and feed. I have a large patch on back lawn that is refusing to grow Ive raked out the dead grass and thrown compost down - copied off neighbour - but it seems to have got bigger and bigger. I really do not know what to do with it next ......... I as we are renting I have to say I have not planted much only cuttings that my clients hand out I have a herb patch that is doing well lemongrass, basil, parsley, thyme, garlic I have dwarf pomegranate trees x 2 but the pomegranates were sour yuk. Advice on lawn care would be a massive help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Sounds awesome and I hear what you're saying about the weeds, that's my project for today - stripping them out of my native bed.Do all of your trees fruit? Do they each need different nutrients and attention? Is everything in full sun and are you very close to the ocean? I'd like to know how your cherries and pomegranate's are, quite fancy putting some of those in the ground. Our coffee grounds go into the compost, do you put them straight into the soil? I think the issue, essentially, was lack of care and attention on my part. They had plenty of water and I experimented with watering the roots of some plants and the whole of others but it didn't seem to matter, the soil just has no water retention properties so I'll try your suggestion of adding granules as the sand to soil isn't that effective. They do grow well, we had plenty of them and a lot I dried out in the sun, they just didn't have that explosion of flavour I was expecting. Get yourself a couple of trailer loads of veggie mix and mix that in , only way to get some life on the loam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 (edited) Our garden is hard yakka especially in the heat. We were very lucky to inherit a mass of natives like bottle brushes, golden wattle and numerous palms like cycads, date palms, and giant bird of paradise which is about 6 metres tall, together with gum trees, olive trees, citrus trees and our veggie patch. the citrus trees like wee wee (true)...the grass comes back with sand thrown all over it, that takes patience, as it looks awful for ages but it comes back. All the palms especially the big palms when they get the fruit on them make a right mess, but you have to wait for the pods to flower before cutting them off or else the palm throws another load of fruit out and you are back to square one. As for weeds, it is weed season, so bad this time of year. I have planted a jacaranda ( my favourite tree) and it seems to be doing well as well as grasses and New Zealand flax. Porty you could plant aloe Vera between the kangaroo paw to keep the dog off and it's great for treating sunburn....my favourite plant of all is the agapanthus and when they burst into life there is nothing more beautiful...IMO percy thrower pea:cute: Edited August 3, 2013 by guest9824 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbyjock Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 (edited) Sounds awesome and I hear what you're saying about the weeds, that's my project for today - stripping them out of my native bed.Do all of your trees fruit? Do they each need different nutrients and attention? Is everything in full sun and are you very close to the ocean? I'd like to know how your cherries and pomegranate's are, quite fancy putting some of those in the ground. Our coffee grounds go into the compost, do you put them straight into the soil? I think the issue, essentially, was lack of care and attention on my part. They had plenty of water and I experimented with watering the roots of some plants and the whole of others but it didn't seem to matter, the soil just has no water retention properties so I'll try your suggestion of adding granules as the sand to soil isn't that effective. They do grow well, we had plenty of them and a lot I dried out in the sun, they just didn't have that explosion of flavour I was expecting. I scatter the coffee grounds around the base of the trees, the apples, cherry guava, dwarf lemon and grape vine have been most successful so far, trouble is the trees are young so take time before I get fruit. I'm not expecting to get any cherries on my tree as we don't normally get the chill required for fruit to set here on the coast, having said that my boss has had cherries on her tree but I will be happy just to get the flowers. I planted seed potatoes in a plastic garden bag and they seem to be doing well so far, the biggest problem for veggies seems to be stopping them getting fried in the summer. I grew cherry tomatoes and snow peas in hanging buckets a couple of years ago and they did quite well. My pomegranite was in a large container but I've now put it in the ground and seems to be a lot happier. I have had a couple of fruit off it but squally they drop off, may e not getting enough water. If you are looking for cheap plants then try Mundijong markets, 1 st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, never yet had a dud plant from there and often get more unusual stuff(I got a lovely big night scented jasmine from there and it's fantastic in summer) Edited August 3, 2013 by gobbyjock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted August 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Well today we went mad. I went to buy some Grevillea after a little research revealed a variety called juniperina Pink Lady that has short spiky foliage. Unfortunately I took the family and we ended up with a herb collection, four different Grevillea including a lovely variety called Ned Kelly and my daughter fancied starting a flower garden. Needless to say we filled the boot which is lovely now they're in the ground but I find it hard spending the amount of money I did on plants that don't give any food stuff in return. Next weekend I intend on building up the veggie planters for the bottom plot so I'll keep this going with updates. I didn't realise you'd need a frost for the cherries, gobby but yeah, the blossom is beautiful. Let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted August 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Our garden is hard yakka especially in the heat. We were very lucky to inherit a mass of natives like bottle brushes, golden wattle and numerous palms like cycads, date palms, and giant bird of paradise which is about 6 metres tall, together with gum trees, olive trees, citrus trees and our veggie patch. the citrus trees like wee wee (true)...the grass comes back with sand thrown all over it, that takes patience, as it looks awful for ages but it comes back. All the palms especially the big palms when they get the fruit on them make a right mess, but you have to wait for the pods to flower before cutting them off or else the palm throws another load of fruit out and you are back to square one. As for weeds, it is weed season, so bad this time of year. I have planted a jacaranda ( my favourite tree) and it seems to be doing well as well as grasses and New Zealand flax. Porty you could plant aloe Vera between the kangaroo paw to keep the dog off and it's great for treating sunburn....my favourite plant of all is the agapanthus and when they burst into life there is nothing more beautiful...IMO percy thrower pea:cute: We have a Strelitzia tucked at the back of the garage pea. It's in shade and looks a little sad to be honest but 6m, what are you doing to it! I didn't realise they'd get that big. Do dogs not like Aloe then? I don't think it's be spiky enough to keep her off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 We have a Strelitzia tucked at the back of the garage pea. It's in shade and looks a little sad to be honest but 6m, what are you doing to it! I didn't realise they'd get that big. Do dogs not like Aloe then? I don't think it's be spiky enough to keep her off. Get a trailer load of veggie mix for veggies and fruit or you're fekked mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 We have a Strelitzia tucked at the back of the garage pea. It's in shade and looks a little sad to be honest but 6m, what are you doing to it! I didn't realise they'd get that big. Do dogs not like Aloe then? I don't think it's be spiky enough to keep her off. Haven't done anything to it Porty, it's just quite happy where it is and the only thing we have to do is rope it up to keep it from hanging over the next doors garden! It's probably been in about twenty years! I thought it was a banana tree at first, and then when I looked it up, they are sometimes called a banana tree! It has white flowers in summer! It looks very Jurassic! The Aloe doesn't have any special powers as far as dogs are concerned it was more to do with the spikeyness of the plant which is why I suggested it, and I think they are succulents, so need less water. I'm not really a gardener but I do like to know what is growing in the garden! Lovely morning for a spot of fossicking in the garden! pea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Bump on this. More comments please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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