passionfruit, berries

spring planting and care guide

Even if you have limited garden space, a passionfruit vine can provide not only two delicious fruit crops a year but also beautiful, shiny green foliage and breathtakingly ornamental, purple and white fl owers. All this in a vertical growing space!

Passionfruit have a climbing habit and can become very heavy when laden with fruit. They require ample room and a strong structure for support. Fences, pergolas, trellises and chook runs all make great support structures. In preparing the soil for planting, be aware that passionfruit must have excellent drainage as they are susceptible to phytophthora root rot. If drainage is a problem, add gypsum and plenty of organic matter such

as Searles Premium Compost to the soil. The best time

of year to plant out your vines is between October and

April. Once planted, water in well with SeaMax Fish & Kelp Fertiliser and mulch thickly. Make sure your chosen position

is in full sun and is protected from strong winds and frost.

Adequate water is essential throughout the growing season. It is critical to keep the water up to your vine once fruit set has occurred and until it has ripened. Inconsistent watering will cause water stress and can result in fruit drop.

For passionfruit to produce well, they need to be fed around three times throughout the growing season. Using

a combination of 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser and Searles Fruit & Citrus Plant Food will ensure your vine has adequate

nutrients for successful cropping.

For more information on pruning, pests and diseases and why my passionfruit is not fl owering + yummy passionfruit recipes to try, head to our website www.aboutthegarden.com.au

> Cucumbers can be planted all year in the tropics, in spring and summer in the subtropics and from late spring to summer in the cool temperate climates after the last frosts. Enrich the soil with plenty of compost before planting and water regularly to keep the fruit sweet.

> For a Christmas harvest of watermelon for friends and family to devour, plant now. To avoid a watery-tasting crop, minimise watering as fruit approaches maturity.

> Place fruit fly traps around the perimeter of your orchard or veggie garden and one trap in the centre to monitor fruit flies. The traps will kill the male flies stopping the breeding cycle and also indicate fruit flies are around. Fruit fly particularly sting the fruit of tomatoes, citrus and passionfruit. Place traps in trees and check them weekly, starting late August in the tropics, September in Brisbane and October in cooler climates such as in Sydney areas.

> Before planting spring veggies, mix into existing soil a good dose of 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser. Plant warm season vegetables such as, tomato, capsicum, beetroot, beans & carrot. In warmer areas, sweet corn, zucchini, pumpkin, cucumber and beans can also be planted from early spring. For cooler areas, hold off planting these until mid to late spring.

> Plants are hungry feeders in spring. Sprinkle 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser Pellets around gardens, lawns and fruit trees to enrich the soil with well composted manures and nutrients for healthy organic growth.

> Spray mangoes with Searles Mancozeb fungicide after flowering to protect them from anthracnose - a common cause of fruit drop. Spray passionfruit with Searles Bug Beater, a natural pyrethrum spray to control sucking and chewing pests.