Effective fruit fly control starts now Swan Hill

SWAN Hill home gardeners can learn how to prune their fruit trees to promote healthy growth and protect them from Queensland fruit fly at a community workshop on Sunday.

The Fruit Fly Murray Valley (formerly Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area) fruit tree pruning workshop will be held from 11.30am to 4pm at Swan Hill Specialist School.

Participants will be able to practice their pruning skills and hear from commercial stone fruit grower Emily Caruso and experienced gardener Rohullah Hossaini about how best to prune stone fruit, citrus and pome trees.

Fruit Fly Murray Valley regional co-ordinator Narelle Beattie said taking the time to prune fruit trees in winter paid off in the warmer months.

“Controlling Queensland fruit fly in your home garden starts in winter,” Ms Beattie said.

“Pruning not only helps your trees produce good quality fruit, but it keeps your trees at a manageable size so you’re able to fit a net over them in summer.

“Covering fruit trees with insect netting is the simplest way to grow beautiful, clean fruit – and it’s also one of the cheapest ways to control fruit fly.”

Ms Beattie said people would need to bring a warm coat, gardening gloves, and a clean pair of good, strong secateurs to the workshop.

“Swan Hill Specialist School will be providing hot soup for everyone from 11.30am, so we’re also asking people to bring their own cup,” she said.

“As part of the event, people will also be able to tour the GIFT Permaculture Community Garden and one lucky participant will win a pair of secateurs that were kindly donated by Bunnings Warehouse in Swan Hill.

Register for the workshop at fruitflymv@mildura.vic.gov.au or text/call 0438 335 661.