Being a small Ma and Pa nursery, Mel and I are not breaking any of the Covid - 19 travel restrictions when we drive a short distance along quiet gravel roads to tend to the plants. We would really like to see some rain but in the meantime these beautiful sunny days are an absolute delight. We feel sorry for all those stuck inside during the lock down but here is a small selection of photos I took yesterday.
Mel is trimming plants, fertilising and prepping for the cooler months.
Her Comfrey fertiliser looks a lot better than it smells.
The bees are getting into the grapes.
Pomegranates have split due to the drought (I think) see an article I copied from the internet underneath the slideshow.
Possums are getting into the apples.
Nothing eats Crab Apples.
Seedlings and cuttings are doing well.
Flowers everywhere.
Fruit on the ground.
Pears doing well.
(Double click on the photo to see them as a larger slideshow)
Splitting Pomegranate Fruit: Reasons Pomegranates Split Open On The Tree By: Kristi Waterworth Waiting all year for your juicy, fresh pomegranates to mature can be a real killer — much more so when they suddenly start splitting just before harvest. Splitting fruits can be hugely frustrating, especially when you’ve been eagerly awaiting pomegranates for a full season. If your pomegranates split open on the tree, it might seem like it’s time to break out the chainsaw, but before you commit a pomegranate massacre, consider why your pomegranates are cracking. We’ll walk you through the most common problems pomegranate growers have with splitting pomegranate fruit in this article. Why Does Pomegranate Split? There are a couple of very common reasons for split pomegranate fruit on a well-cared for tree. In fact, one of them may be caused by a tree getting a little too much care. Fungal pathogens are notoriously frustrating causes of split fruit. In fact, they often strike just as the fruit is ripening. Fungal diseases are often accompanied by leaf spots, premature leaf drop or other leaf damage, but sometimes the fruit is the lone target. Controlling fungus on pomegranate can be tricky. Since they’re not considered primarily a cash crop, little research has gone into the diseases that plague these plants. However, if you apply copper fungicide to your plant next season as the fruits are just starting to grow, you may be able to kill off the fungal spores before they infiltrate your fruits and cause more pomegranate fruit split problems. The other main cause of splitting pomegranate fruit is the same as with many other fruits: irregular watering. During crucial points in fruit development, it’s vital that the water entering the plant’s system is fairly regular and even; otherwise, different parts of the fruit will develop at different speeds, resulting in splitting and ruined fruits. Read more at Gardening Know How: Splitting Pomegranate Fruit: Reasons Pomegranates Split Open On The Tree https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/pomegranate/splitting-pomegranate-fruit.htm You can prevent splitting by mulching your tree heavily with at least three inches of organic mulch and putting it on a watering schedule once the blooms are beginning to drop. Water evenly every few days without soaking the root system – the mulch will help to prevent evaporation, so there’s no need to overdo it. Too much water can encourage fruit-splitting fungus, so just water until the soil below the mulch is wet. Water more in the hottest part of the growing season, then taper down considerably as fall approaches. Read more at Gardening Know How: Splitting Pomegranate Fruit: Reasons Pomegranates Split Open On The Tree https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/pomegranate/splitting-pomegranate-fruit.htm