Bush Food Garden

Citrus Australasica X The CSIRO has developed a rare and unique tree which is the native Australian Finger Lime crossed with a kumquat. Suitable to be grown in the ground or in a pot it makes a special addition to your home garden or orchard. The tree has pretty dusty dark green foliage and produces…

The bush tomato is a small desert plant approximately 30cm in height, with grey to bronze leaves and attractive mauve/blue flowers. It grows naturally through the central deserts of  the Northern Territory and  South Australia. Part of the tomato family (which includes potatoes and capsicums), there are over 100 species of Solanums (Wild Tomatoes) in…

Originally a rainforest tree Lemon Myrtle prefers good soil and warm conditions. In milder areas they can handle full sun positions but in hot dry climates plant in dappled shade. I have had a couple of goes at growing this aromatic leaved tree. The first time was in a sheltered position overlooking Lake Macquarie just…

Midyim Berry (Austromyrtus dulcis) is a shrub which occurs naturally throughout the coastal areas of northern New South Wales and south east Queensland. It produces pretty white flowers and an abundance of fruit. The soft pulp is described as being one of the most delicious of all bush foods. This is my first crop, barely a mouthful,…

Yikes, they are like a weed! I’ve recently been forced to re-imagine my courtyard garden due to degradation caused by heavy rain over the past 9 years. Completely demolished and started again with the placing of 30 tonnes of rock to form a large rock garden. Now the warrigal greens have chosen where they wish…

I bought this finger lime as a seedling 9 years ago. I know my climate is not the best as any resultant fruit will suffer skin burn however I love the fruit so I persist. I have had a couple very tiny fruit from it but they were nothing to write about. Like most of…

I raised this saltbush from seed a few years ago. My climate is not conducive to its growth so I placed it in a pot fashioned from an old pool sand filter. This year has been extraordinarily dry so you would think that the saltbush would thrive and perhaps even reach the width and height…

River Mint is endemic to rivers edges, bogs and other damp, shaded places as it loves moisture and shade, and does best in boggy soil. But you can grow it in dry areas, with extra watering and plenty of organic matter in the soil. I have mine in a pot where I can administer its…

 Desert Lime Trees are the quickest citrus species in the world to set fruit after flowering.  The fruit has been used by generations of outback people to make thirst-quenching infused drinks and cordial and delicious sauces, marmalades, pickles and chutneys. You can purchase trees and learn how to grow them for best results from Jock…