The green vegetable bug is a nuisance in the garden in spring and summer, says gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.

Given the green vegetable bug can reproduce up to four times a year, an infestation can build up in no time. 

Green vegetable bugs begin as small black nymphs; they moult life stages and look different as they grow. 

The problem is that they pierce and damage fruit, removing nutrition and moisture. That, for us, is flavour. 

The best time to break its breeding cycle is when it’s young and its shield is soft. So, once they’ve been spotted, spray with an organic mix of water, horticultural soap, chilli powder and garlic. This will keep the adults at bay and suffocate any young. Repeat spraying every few weeks. 

Also, keeping garden beds tidy and free of debris and old garden growth helps keep these types of pest issues away.

NOW’S the time to get the winter fruit trees in the ground while they’re dormant and the soil is cold. 

Some fruit trees do better in our region and knowing the “chill hours” required helps with choosing the right fruiting tree. Chill hours are important in showing the tolerance of the tree. There is a mathematical equation along with maps of chill hours that can be researched further, but in Canberra we are rated as cool-to-cold with medium-to-high chill. 

This information is useful for buying trees online. While a low chill plant might still grow here, it may not flower or fruit – so a little bit of research is needed to choose the right fruit trees for our region. 

In the garden or the orchard, all fruit trees will need an area that has at least four to six hours of daily sunshine to produce well. 

The soil where trees are to be planted should be turned over with added compost, back filled, watered in and mulched with light bark. Stake if necessary. 

Water only occasionally if there has been no rain. Plant around the base of fruit trees with flowering plants such as thyme, rosemary and calendulas, in fact any flowers that bloom at the same time as the fruit trees to encourage the bees. 

NOW flowering in the glasshouse are the cymbidium orchids. While they grow well in our climate and need a little winter protection, they’re tougher than they look. 

In Canberra they’re potted plants, unlike in tropical regions. But even as a potted plant, they flower well and can be moved around as a bonus. Their colour range is vast.

They like to be pot bound to induce flowering and, with the correct bloom food or foliage food, they are terrific large, indoor plants, with flowering that can last up to six months.

The growing media for orchids is a little different than potted plants and coarse bark is all that is needed.

I sift potting mix to remove the fines and use the coarse material to pot my orchids and use the fines for potting plants. 

Water with foliage food for any newly potted plants and switch to flower food once there is new growth. 

The best place to ask questions or buy orchids is the Spring Floral Spectacular next month. Combined with an orchid show and a conference, this is the Horticultural Society of Canberra’s event for the year and not to be missed. 

It’s at the Fitzroy Pavilion, EPIC, September 20-21. More at hsoc.org.au.

Jottings

• Prune apples and feed with boron for flower and fruiting.

• Keep sticky weed, chickweed and spurge weeded while young.

• Place manure under fruit trees and water in. 

• Turn over compost and add blood and bone. 

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au