Monitoring for budswell to prevent Leaf curl
Monitoring for budswell to prevent Leaf curl

Getting into the habit of using your Fruit Tree Diary will increase your awareness of seasonal changes and triggers, help you get to know your trees, and ultimately make you a better fruit grower! This week it’s time to get ready to monitor an [...]

Monitoring for pests, diseases, and nutritional problems
Monitoring for pests, diseases, and nutritional problems

Monitoring your fruit trees regularly is one of your best tools in the fight against pests and diseases, as it helps you respond quickly before a problem has got out of control. Weekly visits throughout spring, summer and autumn help you get t [...]

Pest and disease control – why organic?
Pest and disease control – why organic?

Most of the chemicals in nonorganic agriculture are used for controlling pests and diseases, and despite the organic sector holding more than 12 million hectares of land in Australia, chemical farming still accounts for more than 99% of the fo [...]

Phytophthora & collar rot
Phytophthora & collar rot

Phytophthora is a pathogenic (disease causing) soil fungus that causes root rot, and collar rot, and can kill fruit trees. It’s favoured by poor conditions, and can be very hard to get rid of once established in the soil. Read the article in W [...]

Practical spring tips for preventing pests and diseases
Practical spring tips for preventing pests and diseases

As organic gardeners, we don’t use chemicals to kill pests and diseases, but instead rely on building a healthy, balanced ecosystem in our garden—it’s better for our health, the health of the environment, and it also takes some pressure off ou [...]

Prune diseased wood while thinning
Prune diseased wood while thinning

Spring is not really the time for pruning but it’s a good idea to keep your secateurs in your pocket while you’re thinning your fruit, and nip off any bits of diseased wood you come across. Read the article in Spring - Week 8.

Recommended organic spray program
Recommended organic spray program

In this article we outline and present in easy-to-read tables the annual organic spray program we recommend for the various different types of fruit-what to spray, and when. It is based on our 20+ years of experience in growing fruit. Read the [...]

Research common pests & diseases in your area
Research common pests & diseases in your area

Our organic pest and disease control strategy is dependent on getting to know your enemy—and the first step is to figure out which of the common pests and diseases are (or are likely to be) a problem at your place. Filling out the tables in th [...]

Shot hole
Shot hole

Shot-hole occurs on all types of summer fruit, but is less severe on plums. It’s a fungal disease (Wilsonomyces carpophilus) and affects leaves, fruit and buds. The disease decreases the efficiency of the tree by decreasing its photosynthetic [...]

Silver leaf
Silver leaf

Silver leaf is a fungal disease, Chondrostereum purpureum. It can attack all types of summer fruit, as well as apples, pears and quinces, and even willows, eucalypts and roses. Read the article in Summer - Week 8.

Spotlight on Bacterial Canker
Spotlight on Bacterial Canker

Bacterial canker is one of many diseases that can cause gummosis in stone fruit trees, particularly apricot, peach, and nectarine. It can be useful to learn the difference between the different causes, to best  target your treatment, though fo [...]

Spotlight on Bacterial Spot
Spotlight on Bacterial Spot

Bacterial spot is reasonably common on plums, less so on apricots, peaches and nectarines. It is more common on susceptible varieties in coastal areas. Read article in Autumn - Week 11.