Listen in to Brisbane’s 4ZZZ to hear Ketah from Brisbane Edible Gardening talking about underrated subtropical edible plants perfect for our climate as well as the awesome upcoming Herb Awareness Fair.

http://ondemand.4zzzfm.org.au/eco-radio

Click on the 15/5 show. Listen for a few minutes of music then edible gardening!

Brisbane Edible Gardening is a community initiative that raises awareness of unusual food plants perfect for our subtropical climate.

We know that there are actually over 30 000 edible plants worldwide but just a small number of those are available at the local supermarket. We are all about is raising awareness of currently underutilized subtropical food plants that are well worth growing in your backyard. They are nutritious, delicious, lower maintenance and more resilient to climatic changes. Something that will only become more important in the future.

Some of the best food plants are perennial plants. So many of us don’t have the time to keep replanting annual crops each year. With an edible perennial, you plant it once and watch it keeps producing for years. This is such a better strategy for those of us who are time poor.

One of the easiest things you can start with is by replacing your salad greens and spinach. Instead of lettuce why not try Okinawa spinach and Sambung. These low growing herbs can be planted as part of your existing garden. They are hardy and require minimal care other than regular harvesting, and the leaves can be picked when necessary for salads. They are great raw or cooked and have a mild sweet flavour. Okinawa spinach is also very pretty, having a deep purple underside.

If you love big juicy tomatoes but are sick of fighting pests and diseases during the summer months then why not explore the diverse range of cherry tomatoes like yellow egg, blueberry or black cherry tomatoes which are far less prone to problems or better yet why not plant a perennial tree tomato, also known as a tamarillo. This fast-growing small tree fruits within 2 years and produces abundant egg sized fruits very similar to a tomato but with a slight passionfruit flavour.

If you are sick of cockatoos or fruit flies eating your citrus, then why not try planting a wampi instead. This lesser-known member of the citrus family is perfect for our climate. It is a very hardy fruit tree, tolerant of a wide range of soil types and shading. Its leaves smell lovely when handled and it produces clusters of grape sized fruit which are the perfect balance of sweet and sour throughout the summer months. It responds well to pruning and is a great small tree for your backyard.

If you are interested in learning more about unusual food plants why not join me at the Herb Awareness Fair on Sunday 26^th May from 9am at the Albion Peace Hall in Windsor. The event is free. There will be heaps of free presentations and plant stalls. I will be presenting on unusual food plants.