Question How many edible plants do you grow?

Joseph Isaac

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@Steve
Yes. Sometimes they tend to grow like that in the photo. Sometimes they curve while growing but eventually they would straighten up. There are also those rare times when a coconut tree would split into two and both heads would bear fruits.

@Mark
Yes. It our case, we are highly encouraged to plant coffee in every coconut tree but that would be expensive. I support your idea too about planting more coffee. Those ripe beans! They smell so good.

But if you are looking for a fast way to increase your nitrogen content in the soil organically, i would suggest planting mung bean. I dont know if it would live there but it helps. Plus you can harvest and eat the beans!
 

OskarDoLittle

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Hi Oskar!

Sorry I cant answer your question scientifically as an agriculturist could but I would like to share some observations.

Our soursop tree would develop fruit buds during colder months (december) that would be around 23°C

When I planted mine, it was easy to grow just like a regular plant or tree. It took me around 4 years to grow. Since you are in subtropics and plants tend to have slow development during frost or winter. I think it would be a little longer to have fruits.

Yes, if you picked them at the stage where they are almost ripe, you get the same taste as a sweet lemonade but if you pick them ripe and almost ready to fall, they are alot sweeter than usual.

A good fruit can be as much as 1kg. Otherwise smaller fruits or average fruits would be around half a kilo.

Also they got stronger flavor if you eat them as a fruit. adding shaved ice or making them as soursop shake ( i dont know how to describe it in proper words. it is just like milkshake but soursop instead of milk) they would be more enjoyable to eat/ drink.

This is a file photo since its dark here. It is almost 1 foot long and 5 inches wide.

Thanks heaps for the info...I asked our local green grocer if he ever got them in so I could try one (but also because they're generally grown from seed if I'm not mistaken Joseph - and I figured that'd be a pretty cheap way to get a plant!) He had to look them up online...wasn't sure when or if he could get them. I think Daley's might stock them periodically.
 

Sanyam

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Here's my little list: ( Some of these are not even seasonal, I grew them in pots out of silly enthusiasm )
  1. Spinach
  2. Fenugreek
  3. Corriander
  4. Mint
  5. Beans
  6. Chilly (easiest to grow plant in my opinion)
  7. Tomatoes
  8. Bitter Guard
  9. Beetroot (This should be counted as 2, the leaves can replace Spinach leaves in most of the recipes :)
  10. Dragon fruit (Yet to Fruit)
  11. Brinjal (Yet to Fruit)
  12. Guava (Yet to Fruit)
Then there are some plants bought from nurseries that I have not yet planted in soil - Lemon, Indian plum (Chineese apple/ jujube), Papaya

( Napier grass for cattle feed doesn't count right ? :-D )
 

Mark

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Sanyam

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I haven't grown this before but I see it's a common herb in Indian cooking and highly rated for its medicinal qualities what does it taste like and is it easy to grow?

Fenugreek seeds are used as spice in very little quantities owing to its slightly bitter taste. Here in India we do use its green leaves as vegetable.

It is known for its medicinal value. I see lots of people eating a handful of sprouted seeds every morning, specially the diabetic people as it lowers blood sugar and is good for digestive system. WebMD has good information on its health benefits.

It super easy to grow, hardy, insect resistant and also, its a legume, so it fixed N in your soil as well.

Note: Seeds loose bitterness on sprouting
 
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Mark

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That's very interesting - we love Indian food and I do my best to cook Indian as good as I can plus by using as much fresh ingredients from our own garden as possible.

It's handy to know from you not to over do this plant in cooking and I didn't realise it was classed as a legume I thought it may have been a herb that was left go to seed but I learn something new every day!

I'm going to buy some seed - I have never seen it for sale locally but some people are selling it on eBay so I'll get it there.

Thanks :)
 

OskarDoLittle

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I picked up a huge pack of fenugreek at Bunnings...under the micro-greens section with the seedlings. Ummm, I haven't gotten around to planting them yet though! They're mr fothergill's and I've often had trouble getting their seeds to germinate - no idea why! Hadn't realised the medicinal aspect, so might give them a go soon.
 

Mark

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I got mine in the post but haven't planted/sowed them yet either.

I've been concentrating on tomatoes I've been raising for a winter crop lately but they're not looking very vibrant at all unfortunately :(
 

OskarDoLittle

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Awwww, Mark that's not good...I hate when stuff doesn't grow as you expect despite heaps of time and care.
Not to rub salt into the wound, but mine are looking and growing great! (IMHO!) these are approx 6 weeks old...a combination of green zebra and tommie toes. I'm kinda cheating as I don't grow full size tomatoes, these seem to be much easier for me (and I'm guessing everyone else)
Back onto growing stuff out of season, I thought I'd whack in a few zucchinis while I was at it, which I think is way too late/early from memory, but they're going well...Lebanese and golden zucchinis are already flowering! Must be the weird weather we're having.

image.jpg
 

Mark

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Your tomatoes are the mirror opposite to mine @OskarDoLittle yours look perfect!

I think the soil I got for our new raised beds is too heavy and too strongly mixed with chicken manure, which disappoints me because it was supposed to be "premium" organic garden soil...

What I think has happened is the seedlings I have transplanted into these beds are being slightly burnt and also not able to take up nutrients correctly plus the weather is cooling down and this doesn't help when growing tomatoes!
 

OskarDoLittle

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I've been told that chicken manure has the highest urea content...which seems fair. I've always been told to use it in compost to allow it to breakdown and be diluted a little, before popping it in the garden. I did once chuck it in the garden as straight poo, and got away with it, but I think that was pretty lucky. I'd have thought tomatoes would cope ok though...maybe check that pH? (Hehehe the old pH chestnut!)
Maybe add loads of seaweed tonic or worm tea to reduce their stress?
 

OskarDoLittle

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wow ... everything looks very healthy...

my vegie garden is looking pretty sad at the moment, I better do some work on it :oops:
What you can't see Stevo is the VERY sad capsicum trying to grow in the brassica patch...companion planting says that's a bad idea...thought I'd test that out...they're right! That capsicum has pretty much died, while the one with the zucchinis is ok. And don't feel too bad about your veggie patch, your photo wall is no doubt much more interesting than mine!
 

Rhonda

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Gosh seems like forever since I have been in here...We are on 5 acres we only use just over 1 the rest is for the wildlings. Bit slack on the food production but working on it. We have in Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Capsicum, Broad beans, Silver beet, English Spinach, lots and lots of different varieties of cut and come again salad greens,,,several different tomatoes including lots of volunteer plants,,,Asian veges and many herbs. I still have a lot to put in to many to list at this hour of the morning...Have a great day everyone:feedchooks:
 

Mark

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We are on 5 acres we only use just over 1 the rest is for the wildlings.
Have you set aside the 4 acres for permaculture purposes @Rhonda such as beneficial insects and animals or are you planning to use more when you get the chance to develop?
 

Rhonda

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Have you set aside the 4 acres for permaculture purposes @Rhonda such as beneficial insects and animals or are you planning to use more when you get the chance to develop?
I am starting a Permicculture corner this weekend coming for the purpose of inviting beneficial insects and creatures to be happy and safe. My main vege area is fenced measures 14 square meteres e have lots of potted vege ect
 

Mark

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Sounds terrific! Our property (only 3 acres) backs onto bushland so we get a lot of natural wildlife but we still keep a section down the back mostly natural - I think it does help the garden in general. :)
 
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