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 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 [...]
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 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 [...]
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 [...]
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.
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 [...]
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 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 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.
