I've decided I need a shade tree to go in the backyard. Let's face it - I want some grass, but I also want to be able to sit out in my backyard and enjoy it. Hence a shade tree. It must be deciduous, relatively small, not necessarily productive (if it is - can't have fruit fly prone fruit as I will not be keeping small enough for netting) but beautiful if not. Jacaranda's and Poinsettia's are out -> Jacs are too big and the Poins are too wide. Something about the poinsettia's height or a little smaller though would be great. This is the area it would go in.I think I've narrowed it down to a few in a possible order of preference.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Just remember that I have mulberries, persimmons and stone fruit already planted around the yard so they're out.
In other news, I'm getting heaps of capsicums and Chilli. I've been procrastinating this weekend but I'm making that chilli jam this weekend. I've got about 3x this much in the freezer all from a little bush I picked up at one of our garden visits.
Since working out that I could put capsicums under fruit fly netting last year, I haven't looked back. These are the mini-mix from Bunnings but I have some seed grown ones that have heaps of green normal sized fruit as well that will hopefully be coming on soon.
Finally got my act together and created the A-frame climber for my melon's. Got the idea from Gardening Australia.
The tromboncino's are reaching for the sky. They are extremely prolific and flowers and fruit are enjoyed in this house - my zucchini needs are well met. They are susceptible to fruit fly though. I find if I pick them youngish (just after their flower closes) I'm good. Currently I have a black bucket 1/2 filled with water where all the rotting fruits (not just troms) go so I drown/boil the little suckers. It then gets tipped on my compost after a few days - smelly but effective.
Found my first set of grapes that have set - Yay! Had a look around and quite a few bunches.
Peaches have been divine but are nearly over and done with. Got some really good sized, perfect fruit this year. Still, about 1/4 are marked or have coddling moth but that is less than last year.
And finally, I'll leave you with a shot of my flowers. Sunflowers, foxgloves and lisianthus. The foxgloves are a definite replant item. The plants themselves are a very neat whorl like pattern with their leaves and make an excellent border and then the flowers!!! Pretty! I know they are poisonous - they are planted in fenced off areas but next Autumn, I'm definitely planting more of them. The lisianthus are left overs from last year. Most sites say they are an annual, but this is the second lot of flowers out of these guys. Have planted more!
Well guys, this chilli jam ain't gonna make itself! Happy gardening folks and be kind to yourselves - Don't make the mistake of staying out doing "just one more job" without sun protection. I got a touch of sunstroke yesterday with major headaches and sunburn because I started in the garden at 5.30 when you don't need anything and kept working through till 11.30.
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Hi Susan, Have you thought about growing a
Tabebuia impetiginosa Synonyms-Handroanthus impetiginosus, Tabebuia palmeri, Tabebuia avellanedae, Tabebuia avellanedae Common Names-
I feel your pain Dave ... when it's slow to load that has happened. One work-around is to select all of your text and save that. If it doesn't load fast enough then at least you have your text to have another go with.
An up-side with she-oaks is that the needles are useful for covering the mix when growing Strawberries. They don't break down readily and are similar to pine needles in their usefulness with Strawberries.
I just wrote a simply stunning contribution on this topic and lost the lot.
Bloody Ning!
I'll precis it:
I better post this in case I lose it again...
Ah, forgot about the deciduous part... Macas are not deciduous, they thin out a little bit, probably due to our winters being dry.
Awesome gardening Susan.
Macadamia's can be pruned, and Brisbane is central to it's natural east coast distribution. They have fine (but matting) roots which assist the tree in becoming more tolerant to dry times (once established).
My parents have a large tree, 5 meters from the house with no root intrusion to date (After 25 to 30 years), and lawn grows well in the shade, 1 metre from the base (beyond the garden bed it grows in). The tree has had 2 prunings in its time, the recent being over 50% with amazing recovery.
The pecan would be a tasty choice as well, unsure about the pruning though.
Looking at the need for a deciduous tree, there's few-to-none Australian natives which answer this description. Exotic trees which can put up with our humid summers are few; none spring to my mind.
Shade sails are a possibility, good thinking Christa. They need sturdy uprights concreted into the ground but no watering, weeding or fertilising.
Backhousia citriodora, 5x4m, Eucalyptus "Summer Red" 5mx2.5 Bunnies have them at the moment at fair size. See this site for trees without invasive roots etc, http://www.loganrivertreefarm.com.au/other-natives
Or you could consider a green shade sail, which does not need watering or fertilizing.
Always add photos using the "From my computer" option, even if you are on a mobile phone or other device.
Added by Doug Hanning
Added by Doug Hanning
Added by Doug Hanning
Vetiver grass helps to stabilise soil and protects it against erosion. It can protect against pests and weeds. Vetiver is also used as animal feed. (Wiki.)
GrowVetiver is a plant nursery run by Dave & Keir Riley that harvests and grows Vetiver grass for local community applications and use. It is based in Beachmere, just north of Brisbane, Australia.
Talk to Andy on 0422 022 961. You can Pay on this link
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