Cankers, oozing sap, fruit scab, fruit rot, leaf spots or leaf curl, and are all signs that pathogenic fungi/ bacteria are out competing beneficial fungi/ bacteria, on your fruit trees. It’s a numbers game. Simple as that. Whoever owns the space, rules the day. Your job is to turn the equation on its head, so […]
How (+ When) to Prune Citrus
Citrus are my favourite trees to prune. Especially thick, thorny, over grown ones – they restore so quickly and beautifully when you use mainly thinning cuts. What a difference when you give up heading cuts and get thinning! Because citrus fruit on new seasons wood, this style of pruning keeps trees compact, sturdy and insanely […]
Notching: A Cool Pruning Trick
Notching is a simple, old school trick that stimulates a branch to grow. Use it while training young (2 – 4 year old), deciduous fruit trees to fill any empty spaces that would ideally, be fruitfully filled with a branch. I have had great success with this, winning more than loosing. The loosing comes from […]
August in the Vegie Patch, Biological Fungicides + How to Prune Citrus
Hard to believe, but after all these years, I still love putting this newsletter together! I love giving you the tools + timings to grow an awesome patch so you can nourish yourselves with real food. But more than that, I love our beautiful planet … and your chem free, humus rich backyard is just […]
A Simple Drainage Test
Winter is a telling time in your soil health journey – from now through early spring you get to see your drainage in action. Those of you at the basemap phase of gathering info and learning your land – perk your ears on up! How wet are your soils? Drainage is absolutely key for edible gardens! When […]
How to Grow Peas
Peas prefer mild, cool weather – not too hot, not too cold. Here in Horowhenua, I can sow them Autumn through Spring. When temperatures rise, peas stop/ reduce flower production. Find your own perfect pea moment by trying all the timings. Regular sowings of peas throughout, brings a steady supply of natures sweetest of treats. […]