1. Good Organic Gardening - January-February 2016

Late summer | GARDEN DIARY
Fruit fly in fruit
Reduce fruit fly by rigorously finding and
removing fruit fly-affected fruit. Left on the
plant or lying on the ground, larvae can
pupate in the soil, mature and start another
generation. Look for fruit that shows signs of
stings (small punctures) on the skin or fruit
that’s rotting due to larvae inside. Pick up all
fallen fruit. Destroy the larvae in the fruit by
placing the damaged fruit in a clear plastic
bag and leaving it to stew for a few days in the
sun. It can then be buried (don’t put it in the
compost). Allowing poultry to feed in orchards
can help reduce fruit fly numbers.
3
4
1. Beware the 28 spotted ladybird (Epilachna
vigintioctopunctata) — she is not your friend
2. Fertilise all citrus with an organic citrus food
3. Pick up fallen fruit to help control fruit fly
4. Kang kong — a good one to plant now for
a supply of leafy greens
5. Change birdbath water regularly so
mosquitoes can’t breed in it
5
Buzz off!
Bloodsucking mosquitoes can
spoil time in the garden. In addition
to protecting yourself from bites,
regularly empty water collected in
containers. This removes mozzie
breeding grounds and reduces
their numbers. Even water put out
for pets, poultry, native birds and
bees should be replenished daily to
prevent mosquitoes breeding in it.
Around 60% of our rubbish in landfills can be composted
CompostingHome.com.au
for all you need to know and products that will help you produce compost.
Good Organic Gardening | 43