Preventing and treating leaf curl: Leaf curl is one of the most common backyard fruit tree fungal diseases, and affects peaches, nectarines and apricots. During spring, reddish areas appear on new foliage, which become distorted and curled as they develop. Leaf curl can significantly affect fruit production and the health of the tree.
Disease spores overwinter on the tree and on fallen foliage and debris on the ground. They are most active early in the growing season in cool, wet weather and are spread to other trees via wind and water.
Trees can be sprayed with lime sulphur or copper-based spray at 90% leaf fall and again in late winter before bud swell. Remove and replace mulch, especially any fallen leaves. Avoid watering the foliage and maintain tree health.
Preventing and treating codling moth: Codling moth is a common and destructive pest that affects apples, pears and quinces. The larvae burrow into the fruit causing significant damage and making it practically inedible. During winter, the larvae digs into the soil and bark of the tree, before pupating as adults during the growing season and laying eggs on both the foliage and fruit. There are usually two generations of codling moth per year.
Check the bark of trees closely and remove any larvae. Remove and replace the mulch, including any rotting fruit – consider sheet mulching with layers of compost, cardboard, compost and lastly, mulch. Repeat at least twice during the growing season. Sheet mulching makes it difficult for the larvae to burrow into or out of the soil. Band and apply horticultural glue to the base of trees, to catch any of the adults as they make their way up the tree during late winter/early spring.
Upcoming workshops at CEC
Check out these upcoming gardening workshops at Canberra Environment Centre (CEC), corner of Lawson Crescent and Lennox Crossing, Acton Peninsula; costs vary.
Growing Veggies from Seed: Raising vegetables and herbs from seed is fun and affordable but getting started can sometimes be tricky. Tuesday 27 July 6-8pm, join the Canberra Seed Savers Network for an introductory, hands-on workshop where you’ll leave feeling more confident about growing veggies, herbs and other plants from seed at home.
Planning a Food Garden: There are so many choices involved in growing food, from deciding on the vegetables to grow to figuring out when and where to plant them. Combine that with Canberra’s unpredictable seasons and challenging soils and you’ll probably find that you need to make a garden plan! In this workshop on Tuesday 10 August 6-8pm, presented by Fiona Buining and Michael Wilson from Ainslie Urban Farm, you’ll learn how to approach vegetable garden planning in Canberra, what kind of factors you’ll need to think about, and how to work with the garden you already have.
Bookings: canberraenvironment.org
Canberra Sustainability Map
The Canberra Sustainability Map, developed by SEE-Change, is a mind-map style resource that contains information about hundreds of sustainability-focused organisations, groups and activities in Canberra, including biodiversity and conservation. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re wanting to get involved in making sustainable change or find others to collaborate with.
For more: see-change.org.au
