Planting Information > What to do When > October

Fruit

Custard Apple:  Start to increase irrigation.  Mulch trees.  Apply 2 grams boron per sq m.

Figs: Pruning can be carried out if not done yet.  Figs are only produced on new wood of the new season’s growth.  Mulch well.

Lychee: Mulch trees.  Peak water needs.  Apply 20 gms gypsum per sq m.

Low Chill Stone Fruit: Spring prune new growth. Continue with high irrigation. Prune out water shoots and dense foliage for better sized fruits. Use fruit fly control programs, for example netting or an attractant method.

Mango: Peak water needs.  Apply organic fertiliser with sulphate of potash, 1kg for larger trees and ½ kg for smaller trees. Spray with copper based spray or leaf microbes for anthracnose per fortnight.
Passion-fruit: Plant out new vines.  Pruning carried out this month. All dead parts to go. Mulch vines at least 2 to 3 metres out from the base.

Pawpaw: Release predatory mites.

Persimmon: Flowering will start in early varieties.  Mulch trees. Low irrigation.

Strawberries: Apply small amount of organic fertiliser with sulphate of potash, about 10 grams per plant. Keep up the fish emulsion or kelp spray weekly. Pick fruit when ripe.

Bananas: De-sucker plants by cutting down to centre with a sharp knife taking the centre out and add 1 teaspoon of kerosene in the well. Have one plant with fruit on, one half grown and one sucker. Discard all others. Keep up water needs.

Citrus: Keep up water. Time to put on lime or gypsum. Mature trees ½ kg, ¼ kg for small trees.

Chores for October

• Sow seeds for flowers and vegetables for autumn planting.
• Plant some Australian Species to encourage birds into the garden.
• Deadhead spring annuals and feed with liquid fertiliser for further blooming.
• Give house plants a dose of liquid fertiliser, take cuttings, to pot for Christmas.
• Finish fertilising fruit trees and plant all tropical fruits.
• Do not allow citrus trees to dry out.
• Prune poinsettia for sturdier growth.
• Divide and replant cannas Plant Gladiolus Corms.
• Rub off aphids on roses.
• Mound up potatoes.
• Plant sweet potatoes.
• Sow seeds and plant seedlings of all herbs, including Basil.
• Prepare rich soil for dahlia-planting next month.
• Take softwood and semi hardwood cuttings.
• Increase mulching as weather becomes hotter