New home orchard (forum)

Bendigo area starts with ...
I am planning an orchard for home use. The soil is generally bad with shallow topsoil and plenty of clay. I have ripped furrows 30M long and down 600mm, mixed good compost at each plant location, and I wonder what else I can do/
Also I struggle with knowledge about variueties I can actually plant.

Time: 16th June 2010 2:09pm

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About the Author jdaley1
Bendigo
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BJ says...
Hi Bendigo Area;
What you plant will really depend upon what food you like. I know that things like plums, apricots, peaches, nectarines, quinces, mulberries etc grow around Bendigo ... I lived about 50km from Bendigo once and remember many a time sneaking down to the local creek to nibble on what was growing in the vicinity. Things like grapes, apples and some nuts (i.e. almonds, walnuts etc) should also do well as I remember them growing in friend's yards. If you cultivate, citrus will probably be happy too.
Your personal micro-climate, access to water, and amount of nuturing you can provide will dictate exactly what you can grow. Then consider your personal tastes - it is so much easier to grow things that you enjoy eating!
If you decide on a particular type of plant (i.e. an apple) then you might be able to research the "My Edibles" to see what varities thrive in a simular climate.
Good luck.

Time: 17th June 2010 12:21pm

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About the Author BJ11
WA
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Bendigo area says...
Thanks.
I understand what you like is part of the plan, but some things just do not grow in particular areas and it is that knowledge I am after. I found a site www.cityfoordgrower which gave me info about chill hours etc that has proved useful.
Soil type etc is the other factor that I need to gain an understanding.

Time: 22nd June 2010 5:02pm

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amanda says...
Hi Bendigo area....it sounds like u are prepared to do some serious work there...I would highly recommend you get your soil laboratory tested. The testing lab will be able to tell you what u need to do for your individua soil. It is well worth the money and may save you many $ in lost plants. If u have a Landmark or such in your area they have the kits.

A great product that I use is liquid gypsum (Gypflo) - it's expensive but lasts a long time. I put it through my retic system. It works much faster than powered gypsum. Then back it up with the coarse grain gypsum.

You will need to add organic matter always - to keep the clay open. Apart from that u need to get it tested as u will be running blind otherwise.

Some clays are very sodic etc...



Time: 23rd June 2010 9:13am

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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Gus says...
I live in Bendigo, 4 years now.

My backyard has some fantastics citrus trees, almond trees, apricot.

Stone fruit such as apricot are more difficult to manage.

The citrus are easy to grow.

I also have some Plums, but they have boarers at the moment.

The trees are over 20 years old so they have deep roots. Establishing them is going to be most difficult.


During my time in Bendigo, I've started to grow in large pots apples and pears. However these plants are too young to comment about.

I've also been succesfful with passionfruit that I planted 3 years ago.

I'm about to plant a Jujube.

Time: 27th June 2010 10:35am

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About the Author Gus1
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Gus says...
Oh,

and you can get free straw and some manure from the show grounds.

Also free manure from some of the horse trainers.

the local nurseries are useful.



Time: 27th June 2010 10:36am

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About the Author Gus1
Bendigo
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