Patch problems solved

You've asked, we answer. PHIL DUDMAN brings you solutions to your problems in the patch

WHY CAN’T I GET GOOD, TIGHT HEADS ON MY ICEBERG LETTUCES?

This is likely to be due to temperature. Lettuces love cool conditions, and while many loose-leaf lettuce varieties tolerate warm weather, heading lettuces such as

Iceberg must be cool to perform at their best. When temperatures are over 21°C, their heads tend to remain open, and they may even be forced into premature flowering and seeding. This makes the timing of planting your crop vital. They take 8–10 weeks to mature, so plan your planting at times of the year when you are guaranteed that period of consistently cool weather ahead. Late autumn to late winter is the ideal time to sow in frost-free areas, but if you're in a cool to cold area that gets heavy frost, sow Iceberg lettuce in late summer so it matures in autumn, or start your plants indoors in late winter, then plant them out after the last frost.

WHY ARE MY HENS LAYING EGGS WITH SOFT SHELLS?

This is a nutritional issue, namely a lack of calcium in their diet. Calcium is essential for forming strong shells, so when your hens are calcium deficient, the eggs come out floppy or sometimes with no shell at all! The typical layer pellets that you feed laying hens should contain adequate calcium for their needs. If they’re getting their daily share but the shells are still too thin, you will need to supplement their diet with additional calcium. The simplest way to provide this is by giving

WHY ARE MY CITRUS FRUIT DROPPING PREMATURELY?

It’s natural to see some citrus fruit drop, particularly in early spring, soon after pollination. The tree produces so many flowers and tiny fruit during this period, but there is a limit to how many fruit a tree can support, so it sheds the excess. If conditions are dry and windy, or if the tree is suffering nutritional deficiencies, early-season fruit drop may be greater than normal. If weather and nutritional issues persist into summer, the trees will be greatly stressed and you’re likely to see further fruit drop. To avoid these problems, water citrus trees deeply in dry periods and fertilise regularly (3–4 times a year). Also, position the trees in a spot protected from strong winds, or create windbreaks around existing trees that are showing signs of stress due to wind exposure. them calcium-rich shell grit, which you can find at produce suppliers and pet shops. You can also dry and crush eggshells to supply extra calcium. Keep this supplement in a separate feeder so it’s easy for your chickens to access.

If you have a problem in the patch, write to Phil at experts@gardeningaustralia.com.au