HELP please

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

CAN I TRANSPLANT A PAWPAW PLANT?

Pawpaws don’t transplant well, but you might have some luck if yours has only been in the ground for six months or so. In that case, saturate the soil a few hours beforehand, then dig it out with a large root ball. At the end of the day, you are better off sowing fresh seed in a pot or directly in the spot where you want it to grow. Pawpaws grow fast and normally produce fruit within 18 months.

FRUIT FLY ARE A PROBLEM IN MY PEACH TREE. LAST YEAR WE NETTED THEM, BUT MOST OF THE FRUIT WAS STILL AFFECTED. WHAT CAN WE DO?

You are on the right track. Pest exclusion netting is the easiest way to keep peaches free of fruit fly.

The trick with peaches is to install the net as soon as the fruit have set. Don’t wait until they are nearly ripe. Peaches are highly attractive to female fruit fly and they will lay eggs in immature fruit. Also, be aware that fruit fly larvae may be overwintering in the soil below the canopy, so make sure that the net is tied securely to the trunk to deny any emerging adults access from below.

HOW DO I KEEP SNAILS AND SLUGS OFF MY CABBAGES? THEY SHRED THE LEAVES AND CRAWL INTO SPACES BETWEEN THE LEAVES OF THE CABBAGE HEADS.

Take a multifaceted approach to reduce their numbers. Beer traps are effective. Find a shallow container, make a hollow in the soil for it to sit in, so the top is flush with the ground, and pour in some beer. During the night, slugs slide in for a drink, then drown. Install a few, and clean and refill them regularly. Try timber traps, too. Lay cabbage leaves on the ground, cover with a length of timber and they will hide there during the day. You just lift the timber and collect. Sprinkling a barrier of either crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around plants is also worth trying. Consider commercial slug and snail baits, too. Use an organic product that’s not toxic to animals. Problems in your patch? Write to Phil at experts@gardeningaustralia.com.au