Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Joe Bond
Ever so slowly, we’re getting out there and sharing what we’ve learnt from growing our own food, with the hope that other locals feel confident enough to give it a go too!
This month, we thought we’d talk about two questions we’ve been getting asked a lot lately at the markets: paw paws and bananas.
Paw Paw, also known as papaya is a fantastic fruit tree for our local climate. You’ll find them growing in many front and backyards around our area, and they can be incredibly productive once established.
They’re also packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre, making them a great addition to the backyard garden. And if you’ve ever had a paw paw tree that really gets going, you’ll know they can produce A LOT of fruit!
We currently have more than 50 paw paw trees growing in our yard, and while driving around our local area we’ve noticed many trees, including some of ours, developing black spotting on the leaves.
As the weather changes and warms up, it’s worth keeping an eye on your paw paws.
If you’re seeing signs of fungal spotting, consider using copper oxychloride as a fungicide, following the product label directions carefully. We’ve also found that giving the trees a little extra nourishment, such as Dynamic Lifter around the base, can help support healthy growth.
Another hot topic we’ve been asked about at the markets is banana plants. If you have bananas growing, remember, they are thirsty plants!
They need plenty of water to grow well, particularly as the weather warms up. We suggest giving them a good drink twice a week, adjusting this depending on rainfall, soil and how quickly your garden dries out.
And don’t forget their food! We fertilise ours about once a month with something like Dynamic Lifter or worm juice/worm wee, whatever you like to call it!
Now is a great time to get cucumbers, rockmelons, watermelons and sunflowers started.
Mulch, mulch and more mulch! Keep a good layer of mulch around your garden beds and especially your fruit trees. It helps retain moisture in the soil and protects the roots as the sun starts to really warm things up.
And remember… You don’t need a huge garden to grow your own food. Start with one plant, learn as you go and build from there.
Happy growing! - Joe
If you’d like to see what we’re growing or pick up some fresh, locally grown produce, you’re always welcome to visit our fruit stall at 63 Forrest Drive, Forrest Beach.
Have a gardening question? Feel free to give Joe a call on 0403 532 549. I’m always happy to chat about gardening, share a few tips, or help you get started.
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