Gardening with Gael - The goodness of grapefruit

 

It is interesting how different a garden can look by the moonlight. The outlines of the plants show up in the softer light. I was recently staying at The Block on a moonlit night. Barney the dog was barking intermittently at the idea of a possum. I slept through most of it. Box, however, wasn’t managing as well and it was him yelling at Barney to be quiet (not exactly those words) that really woke me. Box has recently had a hip replacement and was unable to go out into the garden to fetch him. Out I went. 

Once he has ‘treed’ the possum Barney barks for us to come. I stepped out into the moonlight calling him. Of course he immediately went quiet. I looked up the path. The thujas, topiaried box hedges, olives and trimmed pittosporum golf balls were silhouetted against the soft glow. The garden either side of the path looked lovely. Edged with clipped box hedges the path winds up to the drive. Inside the hedging I have slowly been replacing the geraniums with more formal plants that look good all year round. At the top of the path I have planted a grapefruit which not only looks good but will replace one I had elsewhere that died. It is easy to keep the base weeded inside the hedges.

This is the time of the year for grapefruit. My friend Rosie has two enormous trees dripping with fruit, one of which I am sure is a Morrisons seedless, a grapefruit with no seeds or an occasional one. I am conducting an experiment with myself. Grapefruit and some other citrus contains statins which if consumed regularly help lower cholesterol. Now that the season is upon us I am conscientiously eating or drinking my one grapefruit a day. Only blood tests will confirm if it is working! 

I have a plan with my grandson Theo to collect as many as possible and freeze ice cubes of them in order to extend the season and not waste them. Grapefruit is documented to inhibit an enzyme which plays a part in breaking down certain medications. Doctors usually inform patients when it is inadvisable to eat them.

Rich in nutrients including potassium, antioxidants and fibre, grapefruit are one of the healthiest citrus fruits. Apparently the very best ones are the red and pink ones such as Ruby Red, Star Ruby, Rio Red and Thompsons Pink.
Grapefruit are a hybrid mix of a Jamaican sweet orange and an Indonesian pomelo. They can grow into a reasonably large tree. If they are affected by borer cut out the affected branches in the winter. Now in fact. Between October and April the female borer lays her eggs. I read somewhere that a female borer can smell cut citrus from two kilometres away! 
Another close relative, the ugli (its registered trade mark name because of the rough slightly wrinkled appearance) is also a natural hybrid from Jamaica. Believed to be a cross between a grapefruit and tangerine or maybe a lemon it is sweeter than a grapefruit and delicious to eat. They are just ripening now.

Citrus trees have shallow roots and appreciate a good feed of compost and manure. If they are looking yellow sprinkle some Epsom salts around the drip line. On clay soils and sand a sprinkling of lime helps nutrients become available to the plants. Mulch for the summer now.

As for the dog. Once he knew I was looking for him he sat still and silent. Hidden from view behind a tree, he remained that way long enough for me, cold, scantily clad and irritated to go back inside and back to sleep.
 
A grapefruit hybrid, the wrinkly-skinned ugli fruit is sweet and fleshy. PHOTO/SUPPLIED