Open Gardens: Joe's Connected Garden

JOE'S Connected Garden consists of four interconnected 1000sqm blocks in Adelaide's north.

Joe's Connected Garden

6 ARGENT ST, ELIZABETH GROVE. OWNERS

JOE KIELNEROWSKI AND ROSANNE PARKER OPEN THIS WEEKEND 10AM TO 4.30PM ENTRY $7, UNDER 18S FREE

Describe your garden: It's four interconnected quarter-acre blocks in Adelaide's north, where neighbours can share the work and bounty of nearly 400 varieties of fruit trees, plus herbs and vegetables. It's an organic, permaculture garden with an eye to aesthetics. It all started with conversations over the back fence about five years ago.

How does it work: We co-operate with land, time and talents. I'm a Saturday morning gardener, and look after most of the infrastructure, while Rosanne does most of the watering. We have 15-30 people for working bees, which always include a barbecue and plenty of food to share. We grow fruit trees to sell, and give a lot away to workers, too. It's people of all ages from children to grandparents, and now there are offshoots all over the place as others have become inspired.

Biggest challenges: Water, as our rainfall is low - even our 28,000 litres of tanked rainwater runs out in summer. We've had to put up netting against birds. Over time we've turned our heavy alkaline clay into rich, friable soil by adding compost, gypsum and manures.

Most proud of: That it took off by itself. The idea hits a nerve with people - not just the fruit trees but that we connected with the neighbours. People miss that these days. Now our Facebook page (facebook.com/Joe'sConnectedGarden) is good for spreading the word. And we've shown what a huge range of fruits will grow here.

Extras: Talks by the Rare Fruit Society at 11am and 2pm each day. Free advice and information about edible gardening and sustainability topics. Summer pruning demonstrations, sales of fruit trees and edible plants. Sausage sizzle, cakes and teas, plus live music.

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OTHER OPEN GARDENS

This weekend 10am to 4.30pm, $7 entry, under 18s free

Sthradher garden, 17 Bedford St, Box Hill, VIC 3128

Aquarius, 2/232 Cambridge Rd, Kilsyth, VIC 3137

Amlee, 2054 Old Melbourne Rd, Millbrook, VIC 3352

Frawley garden, 132 Reidys Rd, Bungaree, VIC 3352

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FLORA

A world record-beating US chilli, the Carolina Reaper, has blasted away the Guinness Book of Records winner, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, by measuring 1.57 million Scoville heat units. One chilli in the batch was a searing 2.2 million units. Wilbur Scoville's heat scale dates from 1912 and rates sweet bell peppers at 0 and pure capsaicin, the compound that gives chillies their heat, at 16 million units. Tabasco sauce is 30,000-50,000 and jalapeno peppers 5000-8000 units. Meanwhile, a British farmer has reported a single Dorset Naga plant that yielded more than 1000 chillies that each rate a high 1.2 million heat units for this variety, attributed to a hot summer. Picking them, farmer Joy Michaud wears two layers of latex gloves, changing them every 15 minutes.

TWIG

Q Our mulberries are netted but, as the fruit ripens, small caterpillars are sucking the fruit dry and webbing fruit together. What's a safe solution?

Vicki, Adelaide

Dipel is a biological control, containing a natural bacterium, which affects only caterpillars and is harmless to other animals and birds, including those that might subsequently eat the caterpillars. It has no withholding period. It may take a couple of days to be effective and thorough coverage is essential. Repeat at 10- to14-day intervals.

Q I'm developing my huge garden in tropical style, starting with different palms and yuccas. What other trees and plants could I use?

Billie Ness, Traralgon, Victoria

For cool climates, try colourful foliage plants from New Zealand such as cordylines and flaxes (Phormium), with bird of paradise (Strelitzia), hibiscus, cannas, bromeliads and clivias. Some Alpinia and Hedychium species are cold-tolerant gingers. Trees include Elaeocarpus eumundii and many lillypillies.

Q My lemongrass has flowered and gone to seed. Will it come good or do I need to start again?

Julie Bielicki, via email

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a perennial, and although flowering is uncommon in cooler climates and in pots, it doesn't die after flowering. However, older clumps can become congested and benefit from dividing every few years, usually done in winter. In commercial production, plants are replaced every four years.

Q What's the best way to look after two bird of paradise plants I was given for Christmas? Do they prefer sun or shade?

Zora Sulja, via email

Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) tolerate shade but grow and flower best in full sun. They'll grow easily in any well-drained soil and also in large pots. When choosing a spot in the garden, be aware they can grow into a clump 1.3m tall and even wider, and they are notoriously difficult to dig out.