Reusing garden leftovers

Paul Pascoe emailed Don to suggest that Burke's Backyard run a weekly item on how to use up landscape gardening leftovers for projects around the home. As an example, Paul and his son, Alex, discovered that some leftover plastic garden edging made excellent walls for a crush gear chariot toy's Battle Stadium.

Don thought this was a great idea and a great example of real recycling - use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. If any other viewers have ideas for genuine recycling, Don would love to hear about them.

Passionfruit

Lara Johnston, from Everton Hills in Queensland, wrote to Don about a passionfruit problem. Her husband bought the vine five years ago. The first year it produced five passionfruit, but nothing since. Lara's friend gets lost of fruit, but it never ripens!

Don said that he has heard of this problem many times before, but he is not sure why it happens. He said that passionfruit vines fruit best in full sun, but lots of fertiliser and lots of water often restricts their fruiting. Rather than worrying about the existing vine (as passionfruit are short-lived), he suggested planting another vine in a sunny spot nearby. Give the new vine just enough water, but not too much fertiliser.

Cecile Brunner rose

Mark Sheldon, from Christies Beach in South Australia, may have sprayed Zero too close to a Cecile Brunner rose. Mark emailed to say that roughly 10% of its leaves have turned yellow. He asked Don if there was anything he could do to help the rose recover.

Don said that roses hate anything containing glyphosate, including Roundup and Zero. In his opinion Mark's rose is unlikely to recover. He suggested pulling it up and replacing it with a new Cecile Brunner.

Duck poo

Jordan Corning, from Rockhampton in Queensland, emailed to say that he has two pet ducks that he loves, but his mum thinks the duck poo is killing the lawn and might kill the vegies.

Don said that there was no need to worry; the duck poo won't kill the vegies. Duck poo is a wonderful fertiliser, particularly for plants such as gardenias.

Letter of the Week

This week's award goes to Paul Pascoe of Berwick in Victoria, for reminding us that we should do more about genuine recycling. Congratulations Paul, you win a year's free subscription to the Burke's Backyard Magazine.

Copyright CTC Productions 2004