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Lime | TIME TO PLANT - in the - orchard Lime Citrus spp. Whether you use its leaves, zest or juice, this intense fruit adds zing to any dish or drink Words Melissa King Limes are small, beautiful fruiting trees with lush evergreen foliage and scented blossoms. In some areas the exotic fruit is expensive to buy, so why wouldn’t you plant one in the garden? It’s the Tahitian lime (Citrus × latifolia) with its small rounded fruit and zesty lime flavour that I use most, in everything from Brazilian-style cocktails to Thai-inspired seafood dishes. It’s more cold-tolerant than other limes so is a good one for growing further south. The lime flavour is most intense when the fruit is green, but the juice is more generous as the fruit changes to yellow. For an intense lime flavour, try the West Indian or Mexican key lime (C. aurantifolia). It thrives in warm frost-free areas so it’s one for tropical and subtropical gardeners. The fruit can be small and seedy but has a delicious true lime flavour. If you’re a fan of Asian cooking, it’s worth planting a kaffir lime (C. hystrix), too, grown for its wonderfully scented leaves that flavour a variety of dishes, from stirfries to salads and curries. The juice of the small knobbly fruit isn’t generally used in the kitchen but its zest is full of flavour. The tree only grows to around 3m tall, making it perfect for pots. But the branches are thorny, so keep well away from paths and entranceways. For something different, try growing the Australian finger lime (C. australasica). The tree itself is spiny and not much to look at but it produces long, slender, finger-shaped fruit filled with caviar-like balls that explode sour lime in your mouth. And the fruit comes in many colours including green, yellow, purple and red (see page 70 for more). Growing conditions: Limes can be grown in cooler areas in a warm, protected spot, but if they had a choice they’d prefer to be grown in subtropical or tropical climates. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage or grow them in pots or raised beds if drainage is poor. Keep trees well watered, particularly when they are forming young fruit, and give them regular doses of complete organic citrus food to sustain growth and promote an abundance of fruit. Health tip: Limes are a wonderful source of vitamin C. Historically, sailors sought out limes to protect themselves from scurvy. Kaffir lime is grown for the fragrant leaves but the zest of the knobbly fruit is used, too Good Organic Gardening | 49
WEEKEND GARDENING | Citrus tips CITRUS CARE All you need to know about caring for your citrus trees — and how to combat pests that might attack them Citrus needs good soil moisture, particularly during flowering and fruiting Words Angie Thomas Citrus offer a fantastic combination of lush green foliage and beautifully scented flowers. That alone would be enough to satisfy most gardeners, but citrus completes the trifecta by providing delicious, juicy and colourful fruit. Citrus could almost be called the perfect plant. From mandarins, oranges and lemons to limes, tangelos and grapefruit, there’s a citrus to suit almost every climate and spot in the garden, from a large spreading tree to a potted dwarf variety on a sunny balcony. There are a few key tips to growing citrus successfully at your place. A sunny, welldrained spot Citrus does best with at least six hours of sunshine a day. Shaded citrus will not be as productive. Citrus trees also need well-drained soil or they can be prone to root-rot diseases. In poorly drained areas you can plant a citrus tree in a mound of improved soil to raise the roots above the existing soil. Dwarf citrus varieties can also be planted in large containers using good-quality potting mix, bypassing poor soil conditions altogether. This method ensures you can move them into sunnier spots or take them with you if you move house. Planting Good preparation will give a new tree the best start. Mix some well-composted organic matter, such as pelletised chicken manure, into the hole before planting. This will help improve soil structure, retain moisture around the roots and provide gentle, slow-release organic nutrients as the tree becomes established. Watering and feeding Citrus needs good soil moisture, particularly during flowering and fruiting. Water stress can lead to citrus dropping their developing fruit, or the quality of the fruit may suffer. CanStockPhoto 50 | Good Organic Gardening
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Page 11 and 12: SCAN FOR FACT SHEET
Page 13 and 14: David Austin Rose ‘Wollerton Old
Page 15 and 16: For all your planting needs Don’t
Page 17 and 18: Bring your garden to life with Pope
Page 19 and 20: pomegranate | PLANT PROFILE Ruby re
Page 21 and 22: Australia’s largest and very best
Page 23 and 24: DUNEIRA MT MACEDON Historic house a
Page 25 and 26: Eggplant | FAMILY HEIRLOOMS CanStoc
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Page 29 and 30: Emma Carlos & Mark Simm | GARDENING
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Page 43 and 44: Spring onion | TIME TO PLANT It’s
Page 46 and 47: choko | TIME TO PLANT neighbour giv
Page 48 and 49: Horseradish | TIME TO PLANT The roo
Page 52 and 53: Citrus tips | WEEKEND GARDENING Cit
Page 55 and 56: WEEKEND GARDENING | Citrus tips Bro
Page 57: PEST PATROL | Queensland fruit fly
Page 60 and 61: Beneficial insects | PEST PATROL sp
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Page 66 and 67: Urban Food Street | AMAZING GARDEN
Page 68 and 69: Wicking bed design | THE SHED Words
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Page 72 and 73: Bush foods | WEEKEND GARDENING Illa
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Page 76 and 77: Feeding for growth | WEEKEND GARDEN
Page 78 and 79: Feeding for growth | WEEKEND GARDEN
Page 80 and 81: Geese | FEATHERED FRIENDS A GANDER
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Page 86 and 87: Spring | GARDEN CALENDAR 3 1. Aspar
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Page 90 and 91: Seasonal edibles | GARDEN TO TABLE
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Page 94 and 95: Apple | COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON
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