Don visited Mick and Anna Perri at their home on Sydney’s northern beaches. Mick is an expert gardener who has been growing fruit and vegetables on his property for 24 years. Don asked Mick to take part in a trial of some new and unusual fruit trees. These are mostly tropical and subtropical varieties that should also do well in a temperate, frost-free area. The fruit trees were planted next to the existing vegetable garden. In the months ahead, Don and the Burke’s Backyard team will return to check on the progress of the trees, to see how well they’ve grown and if they have produced any fruit.
Planting the fruit trees
1. The existing vegetation was cleared from the planting site. Don and Mick then removed the grass using sharp spades (this job can also be done with a hired turf cutter). Many people grow fruit trees in the lawn, but Don advises against this practice. Lawn competes with the trees for water and nutrients, and there is also a risk of lawn mower and whipper snipper damage to the trees.
2. Mick used a rotary hoe to dig over the soil, and to incorporate a load of horse manure into the soil (rotary hoes can be hired for about $111 per day, or use a garden fork). Horse manure is an excellent soil conditioner. Although it is difficult to find at landscape suppliers, it can often be obtained from a horse stud or stables at a reasonable cost.
3. A garden edging was constructed from sawn treated pine 100x25mm, H4 rated. The edging was anchored to the ground with H4 treated pine pegs. (Tip: if you plan to use treated pine in the ground, it is important to select treated pine rated for in-soil use. Ratings below 4 (H4) are not suitable for use in contact with the ground. Cut ends should also be treated with a timber preservative to protect them from rot or insect attack.)
4. Mick walked through the new planting area and Don followed, marking the route with spray paint. A dirt path was then made along the same track. In garden areas where people constantly walk (such as the route to the clothesline), informal paths or ‘goat tracks’ appear. It is a good idea to go with the flow and put your paths where people want to walk, not where you’d ideally like the path to go.
5. Don did a rough sketch of the garden and marked in the position of the trees. (Tip: when planting fruit trees, take canopy shape and mature size into consideration and leave enough room for optimum growth and fruit production.) The final placement was done using the ‘put and look’ method – putting the potted plants in their rough positions on the ground then standing back to see how they look. Once happy with the placement, the trees were planted and the area was mulched with horse manure.
6. The plants were watered in well, and then a 50/50 mixture of Seasol and Nitrosol was applied. Seasol promotes root growth and Nitrosol promotes leafy growth. This mixture is safe to use on newly planted trees and shrubs, unlike dry fertiliser which may burn the roots.
Fruit trees
Don and members of the Perri family planted the following fruit trees:
Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis)
This large, evergreen shrub makes a good hedge. It grows to 2m (6′) tall and has white flowers followed by sweet, creamy, red/black fruit. Grumichamas grow in the warmer parts of Australia, including Sydney and the Perth hills area.
Coffee (Coffea arabica ‘KM35’)
A compact, evergreen, dwarf variety, ‘KM35′ only grows to about 2m (6’) tall. It has clusters of fragrant, white flowers in spring, followed by dark red fruit. Each coffee berry has two beans, which you can use to make your own coffee. The dwarf coffee makes an ideal screen or understorey tree, and likes a warm climate.
West Indian lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
The most frost tender of the citrus, the West Indian lime does best in tropical climates. It is also worth a try in warm temperate, frost-free zones, although Tahitian lime may be a better variety for many areas. West Indian lime grows to around 4m (12′) tall and bears small, round, green fruit which are full of flavour.
Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana ‘Duffy’)
This small tree has green leaves with a silvery reverse. In spring, pretty red flowers are followed by fruit with a pineapple-strawberry flavour. Feijoas like a well-drained soil with added organic matter, and protection from wind as the stems can be brittle. They will grow in all areas of Australia. (Note: specialist fruit tree nurseries stock the best fruiting varieties.)
Ceylon hill cherry (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa)
A compact, attractive plant to about 1.5m (5′) tall. In spring, pink or mauve flowers appear, followed in autumn by tasty grey/purple fruit. The fruit can be used to make jam and sweet pies or added to salads. This plant will tolerate cool temperatures but may be slow growing in cooler areas.
Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora)
This Brazilian native grows slowly to around 4m (12′). It produces large, grape-like fruit on the main stem. Plants grown from seed take about 8 years to fruit, so it is best to buy a grafted plant. This fruit tree is best in the subtropics or tropics.
Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)
A native of West Africa, this plant produces bright red fruit with sweet white flesh. Amazingly, after eating miracle fruit any sour foods consumed over the next couple of hours will taste sweet. This plant likes a warm, humid climate and is cold and frost sensitive.
Cherry guavas (Psidium spp.)
Guavas come from Central and South America. They are hardy, cold tolerant and compact. Don planted two different kinds: the red cherry (P. littorale var longpipes) has red fruit and grows about 2m (6′) tall, and the yellow cherry (P. littorale var littorale) has yellow fruit and only grows around 1.5m (4′) tall. Cherry guavas grow everywhere in Australia, except for cold mountain districts.
Ornamental plants
Don also planted the following ornamentals to take away the bareness and soften the look of the newly planted area:
Canna ‘Tropicanna’ (Canna x generalis ‘Tropicanna’)
‘Tropicanna’ is a canna hybrid with dark purple, variegated foliage and orange/red flowers. Cannas grow in most areas of Australia, except inland zones.
Impatiens ‘New Guinea Hybrids’
New Guinea impatiens grow to a height and spread of around 45cm (18″). The have bright colourful flowers and attractive bronze green or variegated leaves. They like a warm, sunny spot with protection from strong winds.
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
Acorus ‘Ogon’ has attractive, cream and chartreuse variegated leaves about 30cm (12″) long. It is frost hardy, and grows well in damp or boggy situations. Propagation is by division of established clumps.
Costs and availability
Plants
Tropical and subtropical fruit trees are readily available from local nurseries in warm climates or from fruit tree specialists, or ask your local nursery to order plants for you.
Approximate retail prices for the plants used in our segment:
Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis) – 125mm (5″) pot $20, 300mm (12″) pot $50
Coffee (Coffea arabica ‘KM35’)- 125mm (5″) pot $18, 300mm (12″) pot $50
West Indian lime (Citrus aurantifolia) – 15L bag $30
Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana ‘Duffy’) – 125mm (5″) pot $28, 300mm (12″) pot $66
Red and yellow cherry guavas (Psidium spp.) – 125mm (5″) pot $18
Ceylon hill cherry (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) – 125mm (5″) pot $20, 300mm (12″) pot $50
Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) – 125mm (5″) pot $20, 300mm (12″) pot $56
Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) – 5L bag $25
Canna ‘Tropicanna’ (Canna x generalis ‘Tropicanna’) – 200mm (8″) pot $20
Impatiens ‘New Guinea Hybrids’ – 175mm (7″) pot $9
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’- 150mm (6″) $9
Most of the fruit trees shown in our segment were supplied by:
Birdwood Nursery (wholesale only)
71-83 Blackall Range Road
Nambour QLD 4560
Phone: (07) 5442 1611
Birdwood Nursery supplies to retail nurseries in all states.
Cannas, impatiens and acorus are available at most nurseries and garden centres.
Hire of equipment
Turf cutters, about $130 per day
Rotary hoes, about $111 per day
Mulch/soil conditioner
Horse manure can be obtained from a horse stud or stable, or use cow manure ($53m3 from landscape suppliers).
Edging
H4 sawn treated pine timber 100x25mm, $2.40 per metre
H4 treated pine pegs 50x25x300mm, $1.10 each
1 pack 45x8mm Topfix screws (to attach pegs to timber edging), $5.60
Liquid fertiliser
Seasol, about $20 for 1 litre
Nitrosol, about $16 for 1 litre
Both are available at garden centres, nurseries and hardware stores.