Going Chinese ... cabbage, that is

Chinese cabbage is also known as bok choy and wong bok. It is the Chinese green vegetable that is closest to the traditional cabbage shape, although its tightly packed leaves are crinkly and lighter green than ordinary cabbage leaves.

Chinese cabbage should be planted after the danger of frosts has passed as the plants will form seeds, rather than the fleshy leaves, if plants are grown in cold weather.

Planting Chinese cabbage into fertile soil is preferred, with the addition of some lime to the soil prior to planting. Better results are obtained by growing from seeds as seedlings do not always transplant well.

Alternatively, seeds can be grown in peat pots in the initial stages, and the pots can then be placed whole into the vegetable garden. Nagaoka F1 is an early variety. Seed packets will indicate the preferred planting time.

As citrus trees come towards the end of their fruiting cycle and still have some fruit left on the branches, flowers for next season’s crop will begin to appear.

This is the time to give the tree some feed, using a complete fertiliser that has been specially prepared for citrus trees. This applies to all citrus trees, including lemons, oranges, cumquats, limes and mandarins.

After weeds have been removed, the fertiliser should be added to the drip line of the tree, underneath the outer branches, and watered in well. Add a cover of mulch, using compost, sugar cane of leaf litter.

New growth will also soon appear. However, in order to reduce the incidence of citrus leaf miner, which will cause the new growth to become very misshapen, Pestoil, which is a biologically friendly horticultural spray, should be applied about every 10 days.

There is a huge range of small growing Australian native trees, including indigenous plants local to this area. Many are suitable for inclusion in the average home garden.

Tree Waratah (Alloxylon flammeum): Not all shade trees have a spreading canopy. With its upright habit, this evergreen is one example. With its dense foliage and fabulous summer colour, it’s a wonderful tree to provide a shady spot. It is a member of the family Proteacae, which includes grevilleas, banksias and waratahs. The tree is fairly slow growing and may not flower for seven or eight years, especially if propagated from seed. However, the spectacular waratah-like red flowers are well worth the wait.

Native Frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum): A small, slender, fast growing tree with glossy dark green lanceolate leaves, that reaches 8 to 10 metres. From mid spring to early summer the canopy is covered in clusters of highly fragrant cream flowers turning yellow as they age. They attract honeyeaters and insectivorous birds, as well as butterflies. Although tolerant of poor dry soil and full sun, it prefers a moist, fertile soil with some shade.

Snow in Summer (Melaleuca linariifolia): A fast growing, bushy tree with dull green lanceolate leaves, that reaches about 8 to 10m. From mid-spring till late summer it produces a profusion of white, scented ‘bottlebrush’ flower spikes. Often found on heavy wet soils, it tolerates sandy and saline soils and atmospheric pollution. Snow in Summer also makes an effective specimen, screen or street tree. According to the Koala Preservation Society of NSW, it is one of the few non-eucalypts with foliage that koalas sometimes feed on.

Lemon-scented Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora): A medium-sized shrub or tree, to 8m tall with a low-branching habit. The leaves are a fresh green colour and strongly lemon-scented. The young foliage is reddish and the young shoots and undersides of the leaves are often hairy.

Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon): A long lived wattle that would be suitable as a small shade tree. In cultivation, most blackwoods will grow 12-15 metres in height. Blackwoods are known for their long life (often living over 100 years), low suckering habit, elegant dark grey-green foliage, and abundant winter flowers. The flowers appear in late winter, and are multi-branched inflorescences of pale yellow balls. The fragrance is sweet.

Plunkett Mallee (Eucalyptus curtisii): A fast-growing small tree with many smooth-barked trunks. In spring white flowers that are full of nectar are produced. Plunkett Mallee reaches about 7 metres in height. Ideal growing conditions include well-drained, sandy soils in full sun.

Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina): This is not really a eucalypt, despite its common name. It grows naturally by rivers and streams. The leaves are a deep green, produced in a dense crown and look like the leaves of a laurel. Clusters of yellow flowers are produced in summer. Its mature height is between 6 and 10 metres. Water Gum is tolerant of poorly drained soils.

Gardeners who are keen to get children developing an interest in gardening might consider have them grow radishes. Radishes are easy to germinate from seed and will reach maturity without too much effort. Perhaps as an added interest for the children, the seeds might be planted in a pattern such as the individual child’s initials.