Nothing can be compared to the flavor of fruit that has been warmed by the summer sun and has fallen off your own backyard. Summer seasons in Australia give one of the best growing seasons of some of the most delicious and high yielding products. The heat may be fierce but there are numerous varieties that are adapted in such conditions and this gives you a source of fresh sweetness to add into salads, desserts or your health snacks. It can be set-up on a large block of a quarter acre or even on a small balcony easier than you may imagine with the correct choice of plants.
The Berry Patch: Strawberries and Blueberries
The best rewarding fruit to a beginner in summer is probably the strawberries since this type of fruit does not need much space and will produce in a short duration. They do well in hanging basket, pots or raised garden beds where their trailers can be controlled easily. To have a constant source of harvest during the warmer seasons, find out everbearing varieties. Another good choice is blueberries that are also utilized in pot culture. They prefer acidic soil more readily available to work with in a container by customised azalea or camellia potting mix. Both berries require regular moisture and therefore it is essential to check them on a daily basis when the mercury reaches 30o C and more.
Passionfruit: The Backyard Icon
One such staple of the Australian summer garden is a passionfruit vine, which can be counted on to cover up an ugly fence and at the same time plant dozens of fragrant fruit. These are aggressive climbers that thrive in all sun and warmth yet are voracious eaters that need fertile soil enhanced with sufficient chicken manure and compost beforehand before planting. Their water also requires are high; a dry passionfruit vine will not produce flowers until they drop away. When you are pressed in space, the grafted varieties of Nellie Kelly are extremely tough and resistant to diseases and hence a good choice to beginner gardeners.
Melons and Tomatoes: The Heat Lovers
Tomatoes though technically a vegetable are handled in the kitchen as a fruit and are the undoubted rulers of the summer garden. The cherry tomatoes are especially tolerant and grow quicker than the larger varieties, which means that they are ideal to impatient gardeners or those living in the southern states that have less time in the summer season. With a little more ground area, there is watermelons and rockmelons that enjoy the Australian heat. Smaller gardens will need smaller types such as the so-called Sugar Baby watermelons whose fruit is smaller in size, resembling an icebox, and can even be grown upon a strong trellis to save space.
Small Fruit Trees
The orchard is unnecessary; it is now possible to grow tree fruit in small pots, to grow lemons, limes and even nectarines just by using modern dwarf grafts. The citrus trees like the Meyer lemon or Tahitian lime are heavy bearing trees that like the summer sun. Dwarf peaches and nectarines are also excellent stone fruits, and they can produce in late August. The trick to success with potted fruit tree is the size of the pot- make sure that the pot is at least 40cm to 50cm in width and use the highest quality of potting mix so that there is good drainage also.
Critical Summer Maintenance: Mulch and Water
Australian summer gardening is the most difficult because of the soil that is kept cool and moist. There is no such thing as bargaining on mulching; in order to keep your plants moist and to kill roots, you must spread 5-7cm of sugarcane, pea straw or lucerne hay around the base of your plants. Ideally, it should water in the early morning or late evening so that it does not evaporate. Watch out for the pests such as the Queensland Fruit Fly, a pest that is active during summer; you can avoid this pest by putting up exclusion nets or baits that are eco-friendly to save your harvest before being spoilt before it gets to your plate.
Quick Planting Data
| Fruit | Best Planting Spot | Difficulty | Water Needs |
| Strawberries | Pots / Hanging Baskets | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Passionfruit | Fence / Trellis (Full Sun) | Easy | High |
| Cherry Tomato | Stake / Cage (Full Sun) | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Watermelon | Ground / Sturdy Trellis | Medium | High |
| Dwarf Lemon | Large Pot (Sunny Spot) | Easy | Moderate |
| Blueberries | Acidic Soil / Pots | Medium | High |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How shall I prevent the birds to feed on my fruit?
The best technique is the exclusion netting. Install fine-image wildlife-safe netting (white is preferable as it is visible to the animals) by casting over the trees or frames. Temporary scare tactics can be used with old CDs or shiny tape but are less efficient.
2. Was I to develop these fruits in pots?
Yes. Strawberries, blueberries, dwarf citrus and cherry tomatoes are all potted plants. Passionfruit can even be grown in an extremely large pot (50L or bigger) as long as it has a climbing frame.
3. Why not fruitful, my passionfruit flowers?
This is most often because of the un-timely watering, absence of pollination or excessive heat. Keep the soil constantly damp, and endeavor to pollinate the flowers by hand, with a little paintbrush, by sprinkling the anther on the stamen of one flower, and the stamen of another.
Disclaimer
The information contained in it is informational in nature. You may refer to the authorities; we intend to give a proper information to everyone who will use it.
