Crackpots Rural in OConnor, Western Australia, Australia | Local business

Crackpots Rural

Locality: OConnor, Western Australia, Australia

Phone: +61 8 9337 2211

Address: 1/59 Forsyth Street O'Connor 6163 O'Connor, WA, Australia

Website: http://www.crackpotsrural.com.au

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25.01.2022 Whether you have three square metres, 300 or 3000, the principles of preparing your vegie garden are the same. It's all about the soil!

25.01.2022 Crackpots had a presence at two big ag shows this month - Waroona and Gidgegannup. We met some amazing people working on some inspiring rural projects...hopefully we'll be able to help you progress them. It's a busy time of year for growing and protecting crops and orchards, so we'll be opening our O'Connor warehouse on Saturdays between 9am and 12noon, from now until Christmas. Drop in and see what we've got - did you know we sell craypots too? If you're familiar with our rural website, take a look at the other half of our business www.crackpotsmarine.com.au

24.01.2022 It's hard to believe it's Easter this weekend; the streets are quiet and there is a distinct lack of excitement or anticipation, with holidays and road trips cancelled. At least the glorious autumnal weather encourages us to get outside and spend time in our gardens planning, planting, growing and attending to those jobs we've been putting off. Hopefully you will also find time to just relax and enjoy your garden, too! We will be open until 4pm Thursday - usual deal with minimal staff, distancing and hygiene. We are also taking orders over the phone and arranging postage. However you spend Easter, the Crackpots team hopes it is safe and happy. Stay well and we'll see you on the other side! Here are some tips to get you started. https://homes.nine.com.au//e38f079d-820e-442d-ba50-b0d5cc8

24.01.2022 We love getting out of town and checking out the wildflowers at this time of year - and the WA Visitor Centre has this very cool tool for tracking the best places to see them. If you have any suggestions about places to see the best wildflowers, we'd love to hear them!

24.01.2022 We've just bought a Golden Trumpet Vine, a Chinese Wisteria and a Black Shiraz grapevine, with the aim they'll cover the shed and water tank at East Nannup, cooling them down in summer and giving us some colour (and hopefully grapes!) There are some good tips here on getting the best out of your climbers, getting them to grow horizontally rather than just straight up! Espaliering them is a great idea. If you have any tips, we'd love to hear them.

21.01.2022 Just being around nature has a calming effect, even if it's just in the corner of your back garden. Getting your hands in the soil is incredibly rewarding. We've been busy planting fruit and nut trees and even putting in some late autumn vegies. We'd like to thank all of those keen gardeners and growers who have supported Crackpots during these tough times - we've managed to keep the doors open, which means our team is still working supplying our customers with bird netting and orchard structure advice, shadecloth, Troforte fertilisers and more. As Tom Wyatt says, gardening is 'rejuvenation for the soul'.

20.01.2022 While your vegie garden appreciates plenty of sunshine, with summer days getting hotter the reality is that you'll need some kind of shade to stop your plants getting fried. Even young fruit trees can do with a bit of shading during the hottest days in summer, especially when they're planted against a fence or a wall. 35% shadecloth will protect your plants while still allowing in sufficient light - any darker and the plants can become weak and leggy. White shadecloth in particular will help to reflect light and heat. Crackpots shadecloth is premium quality, and comes with a ten-year warranty, and button-hole edging for easy installation. It comes in 50m rolls, or we can cut to your requirements. www.crackpotsrural.com.au/shadecloth/

20.01.2022 If you're thinking about putting up a permanent structure to protect your fruit trees this year, it's a good idea to start planning now. This is our bespoke EZBuild, which we designed for smaller structures up to 15m wide perfect for orchards, vineyards or hobby farms. Essentially, it relies on a single piece of bird netting being placed over a pre-prepared structure of CCA pine pole and sheathed wire. The netting is then stretched and tensioned over the sides and fixed at ...ground level with drop anchors. We're here to guide and assist you along the way, and we have all the tools and materials you need in our O’Connor warehouse, including our premium quality bird netting that comes with a 10-year warranty. We’ve even put together a video to show you the easy, step-by-step process of building your own EZBuild Structure, along with a written manual that should answer all your questions. This is just a taster! See more

18.01.2022 According to CSIRO, there is very little research about native bees. There are only three species that have an official conservation status currently, all in Western Australia. Some native bees are specialist foragers, others will go for almost anything (blue-banded bees are pros when it comes to buzz-pollinating tomato, capsicum, chili and other nightshade plants!). If you have individual fruit trees you need to protect, our throw-over bird netting will protect budding fruit... from birds, while still letting the bees in and out for any plants that still need pollinating. Throw-over tree netting comes in various sizes to suit nearly all trees, and we can cut to size. Most importantly, it's premium quality, black knotted netting and comes with a 10-year warranty - bound to last you many growing seasons. (Bee images: CSIRO and agric.wa.gov.au). See more

18.01.2022 It's so rewarding for us to see people successfully building their own EziBuild orchard structures - we think we've come up with a great model for small to medium size DIY crop protection structures. These two are still in construction, but already demonstrate excellent workmanship! Each has slightly modified the design; one has included vermi-mesh to keep out foxes, roos and rabbits; the other has installed theirs without using drop anchors, because of space restrictions - a little more work, but a fantastic looking structure. We'd love to help you with yours - check out the video on our website, or call for some free design and construction advice.http://www.crackpotsrural.com.au/

18.01.2022 While we have a preferred, recommended method to construct an orchard structure, we are constantly surprised at the ingenuity of our customers who have come up with their own design, or maybe have a structure up already that requires netting. Either way, we're more than happy to help to get it up and finished. You really want to get your structure up before your fruit trees start flowering, so if you haven't already, it's a good idea to prune now. (We have a pruning specialist on our team if you'd like some affordable advice.) Here are some photos from a customer in the Swan Valley, who is very pleased with the outcome.

17.01.2022 As we start to wind down after another busy year, the Crackpots team would like to thank all our valued clients and supporters - we know it's tough out there but we truly appreciate your loyalty. We're shutting the doors on Tuesday 24th December and taking off for some well earned R'n'R, opening again on Monday January 6. In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year wherever you are, and we'll see you in 2020!

17.01.2022 It's around this time of year we often get asked about fruit fly netting, but in our experience it isn't always that effective, particularly as it requires a lot of effort to ensure there are no gaps. It can also be expensive relative to other methods. Using netting to exclude the fruit fly is one thing, but it's virtually impossible to prevent the pupae from breeding in the soil around your fruit trees - unless you have chooks! This video explains a couple of ways to control fruit fly in your garden or orchard, and we'd agree that a simple homemade trap can be very effective and affordable - if you can spare a little Vegemite, you're almost there! If you have a surefire way to kill the dreaded fruit fly, we'd love to hear it...

17.01.2022 The beauty and wonder of nature...

16.01.2022 We recommend, use and distribute the Troforte range of fertilisers. Focusing on soil health, Troforte can revitalise depleted soils using a combination of fertilisers, trace elements, minerals and beneficial soil microbes and fungi. Importantly, we use Troforte because it is Australian-made, and river, reef and environment friendly. At various times we have different items in stock - All-purpose (great for natives); Vegetable & Herb; Fruit & Citrus; Fert-O-Lawn; Roses, Azaleas and Camellias, and liquid fertiliser. Give us a call if you require anything in particular. https://troforte.com.au/

16.01.2022 The world and the rules that govern it are changing at a rapid rate, often from hour to hour. Here at Crackpots we have decided to remain open for the foreseeable future, in the interests of our valued customers and employees. In order to keep staff on we will be running a skeleton roster, but be assured we are still able to meet your needs, and will of course be undertaking all relevant health precautions to ensure the wellbeing of our customers and staff. We are also happy to take orders over the phone and arrange delivery. There are still crayfish and crabs to be caught, and plenty of food to grow and harvest, so stay busy and keep well!

15.01.2022 "The largest mass migration of livestock in Australia." Yes, bees are classified by the tax office as livestock! Let's hope they don't have a problem crossing state borders to do their job - they are certainly essential workers!

14.01.2022 Plastic-Free July is a challenge we can all take on - one piece of plastic at a time! One small change we can all make when planting new trees is to use a rigid corflute tree guard instead of a plastic sleeve. The sleeves are fine if they are collected and discarded properly once they're no longer needed, but too often we see them blowing around our parks and beaches. Crackpots' rigid tree guards provide a secure, stable microclimate, and their non-collapsible walls are much... more resistant to strong winds and hail - and the rabbits can't get under them! They are UV-stabilised and can be re-used over several seasons (three to four years on average) making them more cost-efficient as well as more environmentally friendly - the more you buy, the cheaper they are. hee PP plastic can then be recycled. Your young trees and the environment will thank you for it! We can post anywhere in Australia - just let us know your postcode and we'll give you a quote. See more

13.01.2022 Wondering what vegies to plant this month? Here's some suitable for the south and southwest - but remember if you're going to plant in summer, a light shadecloth cover will help seedlings deal with heat stress.

11.01.2022 Who knew lettuce farming was so high-tech! At The Loose Leaf Lettuce Company in Gingin, Maureen and the team take you through from seed to gourmet salad, showin...g you the variety of jobs you’ll find on a farm. If you’re looking for an outdoorsy gig this summer holidays, have a look at what horticulture jobs are currently advertised on Harvest Trail: https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest/search #workandwander See more

11.01.2022 We are really looking forward to the Nannup Flower and Garden Festival this weekend ... we'll be in and around town all weekend checking out the displays and volunteering - let's just hope the weather gods are kind. If you see the Crackpots vehicle, come and say hello!

11.01.2022 Think you may have citrus gall wasp? Here's what to do...

09.01.2022 We really appreciate the support shown following Friday’s post about keeping our doors open. We will continue to do so, while monitoring the advice from State and Federal governments. To make it easier to 'keep our distance', you can order and pay over the phone, and we’ll have the order ready for you to pick up, or we can arrange delivery. A few people have told us they’re taking this time out to take on the projects that keep getting put off, like building that shade house or bird netting structure! So if you're getting ready to start your own project, we can help - we are well stocked with shadecloth, bird netting and all the components you need. Just call us on 9337 2211 during office hours (Monday to Friday 8am 4pm). Thanks again for your support, and stay safe.

09.01.2022 The heat is still with us...if you've been thinking about getting that shadecloth up before Christmas, Crackpots is open each day up until and including Christmas Eve (except Sunday 22nd), as well as Saturday morning. Our range of premium shadecloth comes with a 10-year warranty and buttonhole edging for easy application. We have a range of colours and different sun strengths - generally we recommend 35% for your shadehouse (to protect your plants); 50% if you need a roof over your vegie garden; and 70% for your patio (to protect you). Give us a call on 9337 2211 to see what we have in stock. And stay cool!

09.01.2022 If you can get past the main image, you might be as intrigued as we are by the Jaboticaba, or Brazilian grape tree. We love discovering unusual fruit trees, and this is certainly one. It's a beautiful looking tree, and we love that you can use the fruit to make wine, as well as making jams and preserves. It's low in calories, has lots of vitamin C, and apparently it goes well with duck! On the downside, you'll need to net it against birds - and it takes 8-15 years to mature. So if you have the time and patience, consider the Jaboticaba!

08.01.2022 Grow your own. Eat local.

07.01.2022 We've had quite a few people come in recently having had their koi and goldfish taken from ponds by birds - a good indicator of this happening is when you see heron, kookaburras or other fish-eating birds sitting on your neighbour's roof eyeing off your pond! It's easily fixed - just strain some netting over the pond and fix it to the ground. Our low profile netting is strong and unobtrusive; similar netting to the netting we sell to marron farmers to protect their marron and yabbie dams. It's an effective and inexpensive way to keep predatory birds out of your pond. It's also easy to install - it depends a bit on the size and location of your pond, but we can help with advice. (photo credit pinterest.com)

07.01.2022 Get knotted! When it comes to bird netting, that's the best advice we can give you. In permanent setups, knotted netting has many significant advantages over the knitted variety. It has an inherently high strength and excellent wear characteristics, with a higher resistance to tearing due to the multiple hard twisted twine construction. The twine is knotted at every mesh, so it can’t unravel any tear stops at the knot, which also makes it easier to repair. The low profile e...nsures an easy passage of water and air through the net, so there’s a lower potential for water retention dragging down the net panel or billowing in wet and windy conditions. The multiple-twist mono-filaments reduce exposure to UV damage; and it’s less bulky, making it easier to bundle and transport. We've just taken delivery of a container full of premium quality 6-ply black bird netting ideal for orchard structures. Happily for us, a mistake on the part of the netting factory has resulted in this delivery being even tougher than normal, weighing in at 65g per square metre. So if you’re considering putting up a structure to protect this year’s planting of fruit trees, now’s the time to organise your netting! Give us a call to find out how we can help with your structure, or check out the EZBuild video at www.crackpotsrural.com.au See more

07.01.2022 If you have ten seconds to spare, check out this quick viewing of an orchard structure completed recently by one of our happy customers in the Great Southern. This is a great example of supporting the corner poles with internal braces rather than external anchoring, for situations where space is too tight - close to a shed or driveway for instance. An orchard structure is the most efficient way to protect your crops, using premium grade birdnetting from Crackpots Rural Supplies. Thanks Mike for the video!

06.01.2022 And how lucky were we to have a stall right next to these lovely gentlemen at the Gidgie show! Lovely wine too... Avonbrook Wines

05.01.2022 Crackpots Rural spent a wonderful Saturday at the Waroona Ag Show - the weather was fantastic, the crowds seemed up, and all the usual attractions were there - the horse events, the log chopping, farm animals, sheep shearing, local produce (great wines!) and of course sideshow alley. Lots of people keen to get orchard structures up to protect their fruit trees visited us at our stand. Country shows are a great way to meet people and hear their stories about what they are growing, and how they're going. Our next show is the Gidgegannup Ag Show on October 26 - maybe we'll see you there!

04.01.2022 Nothing beats green beans fresh from the garden! Climbing beans grow really well on our Vegie Mesh - it's 2m high by 50m long, very quick and easy to put up, and you can harvest from both sides - twice the beans! It's also great for tomatoes and capsicums - any climbing plants. Vegie Mesh is real bargain - less than $30 for 50m of trellis mesh, and it's completely re-usable. It's easy to post too - give us a call and find out more!

04.01.2022 Think we could find a spot or two for these stunners ...

03.01.2022 "As a general rule of thumb vegies like full sun, but coming into summer, the reality is on really hot days and during hot spells, your plants can get fried and this is where some temporary shade comes in handy." We've shared this clip before, but now's the time of year, when summer seems to hit us with a bang, to think about protecting your vegetable seedlings and even your new fruit trees, while they're still young and unable to fend for themselves. White or light-coloured ...shadecloth is best, and 35% strength is enough to protect your vegetable bed while still allowing in sufficient sunlight; if the plants don't get enough they'll get thin and straggly. If you have more sensitive plants, you could get away with 50% shade on those hotter days. Our premium quality UV-stabilised shade cloth comes in 1.8m or 3.6m widths, with a reinforced buttonhole edging for easy attaching to a structure or frame. The shade cloth comes with a 10-year warranty, in 50m rolls, or we can cut to order. So don't risk sunburned tomatoes or lettuces - they need protection from the sun on hot days just like we do! See more

03.01.2022 Our first crop of Jerusalem artichokes - there are some big ones in there! Now all we need are some recipes ... any suggestions?

02.01.2022 With the new restrictions in place, staying open is a day-to-day proposition for us. But for the moment, we will remain open with a skeleton staff, while observing all safe distancing and hygiene rules. Travel restrictions kick in MIDNIGHT TUESDAY, so if you need to cross regional 'borders' before then, we will be ready to supply any gear you need before you head off. You can ring us and pay over the phone, and we'll have you order ready to pick up. We can also arrange delivery. This is for all our customers, both www.crackpotsrural.com.au and www.crackpotsmarine.com.au During office hours call 9337 2211, after-hours 0422 172 592. You can also email us at [email protected] Whether you're home, on the road or on the water, stay safe and well. We'll keep you updated should things change.

01.01.2022 Some local broccoli growers are saying it's one of their best seasons in years - and that makes sense. Eating fresh locally grown veg (or even better, your own homegrown veg) is a great way to boost both your immune system and local growers. They're like big tasty vitamin pills!

01.01.2022 Happy New Year from the Crackpots team - here's to a safe, healthy and productive 2020. Our thoughts at this time are with all those affected by the horrific fires around Australia, and all those fighting them. This story is a reminder of how reliant we are on fresh fruit and veg coming from the eastern states - unless we grow our own or are lucky enough to buy locally grown.