Australian House & Garden

Question: How often should you replace mulch?

Answer: Mulches decompose over time and need to be replenished when bare soil starts to show or the weeds are starting to return. Coarser types of mulches such as pinebark and woodchip last the longest, while softer mulches such as pea-straw and lucerne break down rapidly, feeding the soil as they decompose. Mulches in moist areas of the garden break down more quickly than in areas where they stay dry. A layer of mulch 50 mm thick is plenty.

Answered by Helen Young

Question: What are some easy to grow fruit trees that don’t take up much room?

Answer: Citrus are must-haves for any backyard. Smallest are Tahitian and kaffir limes, and Meyer lemons. But many citrus are available that are grafted onto dwarf rootstocks, so you get small plants with full-sized fruit. Diggers Club has a wide range by mail order including mandarins, lemons, cumquats, oranges and grapefruit (www.diggers.com.au). They also have a dwarf mulberry available. There are dwarf apples, crabapples, peaches and nectarines (www.flemings.com.au) but you need to check your climate is suitable. Tamarillo, pineapple guava (Feijoa sellowiana) and guavas (Psidium) are all large shrubs to small trees, and blueberries grow on small bushes.

Answered by Helen Young

Question: Any tips on growing a hedge from offcuts from a friend’s hedge?

Answer: Growing plants from cuttings is an inexpensive and fun way to obtain lots of plants for a hedge. Most hedging plants such as murraya, box, lillypilly, viburnum or photinia grow from semi-hardwood cuttings, taken in summer or autumn. Look for stems that are changing colour from bright green to deeper green or brown; and where the stem bends rather than snapping cleanly. Make sure the mother plant is a good, healthy specimen and take cuttings early in the morning. Cut pieces with at least four sets of leaves. Strip off about half the leaves and dip the stem ends in propagating gel or powder. Put half a dozen into each small pot, filled with a special potting mix for cuttings. Keep them moist in a sheltered, brightly lit spot. You can make a mini-greenhouse by using the bottom half of a clear soft-drink bottle inverted over the pot. Depending on the species, the cuttings may take several months to develop roots.

Answered by Helen Young