Sunday 2 March 2014

In Marches Autumn

Autumn in my Garden

March brings so much variety with many fruits almost ripe, a total gardener's delight!

Last year I had one Pitaya, this year there are 19, although 2 are on my neighbour's side of the fence.
Both of my arms were badly scratched retrieving the prickly branches to bring 17 back on my side.

Pitaya (Dragon fruit)


The first quinces have been picked. This tree was planted twelve months ago, it is clever to grow 5 fruit.


There are 20 olives brining in this jar, 20 this year, a whole bucketful next year~!

We have an abundance of figs.  Black Genoa, Brown Turkey, White Adriatic and a Yellow seedless variety (Please inform me if you know it's name.)
Fresh figs, grilled figs, fig jam, dried figs did I mention fresh figs?  Their flavour is sublime.


Soem need more protection from birds than other varieties.


A selection of chillies, from mild through to cayenne and jalapeno hot.
Plus our first lime of the season.


We have two bunches of bananas growing, which will ripen in different months.  Both suckers came from the same tree but one was moved to a different part of the yard where a crop of bananas will ensue.



Eggplant (aubergine) black, glossy and healthy.


This Tuscan Kale plant was riddled with caterpillars, so I pruned it right back
and now it has re-shot, producing fresh, young kale leaves.


Corn, behind a chicken proof fence, soon to produce luscious corn cobs.


Since being planted in the ground this bay tree is bursting with life.


Green papaya, I love to make green papaw salad with these lovely specimens.


Tamarillos (Bush Tomatoes), proudly clumped together.
These will turn a bright, dark red when ripe.


Ever present chicory, pick all the leaves and it will re-shoot to produce another plant.


We are still picking tomatoes, so much nicer than any store bought variety.


A Rockmelon vine with flowers trailing along the ground.


One of the free ranging chickens eating everything in it's path.



I hope you have enjoyed strolling around my Autumn garden, 
please take the time to enjoy the other Garden Share Collective members gardens.
Buon appetitio, Merryn.

12 comments:

  1. I saw your link on the garden share collective, I am slowly getting to know everyone. You seem to grow quite a few tropical fruit, but then have tamarillos and olives so am not sure what your climate is. Those tamarillos are awesome. That is a huge bunch of bananas you have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you africanaussie (I am going to email you to get more information about you) for browsing my blog. We are located at Forster (mid north coast NSW) with the most temperate climate in NSW. Halfway between Sydney and Coffs Harbour on the coast. Our red earth is wonderful for trees :D

      Delete
  2. I am filled with garden envy when I look at these photos. I even have chook envy. I miss having chooks so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Maureen, I do love gardening and strolling around watching the day's growth. It is delightful seeing the 'girls' free range. I miss chickens too when we don't have them or their gorgeous free range eggs.

      Delete
  3. So many bananas. You will be making banana cakes, bread, muffins and pancakes for ages. As always your garden is full of a food. I hope to get my subtropical garden up to your standards soon. I am now also going to plant a quince to see if it will work here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We give many bananas away, much easier to deal with them. The quince tree grew from a stick to fully producing in such a short time, you should be able to grow them :D

      Delete
  4. Wow, wow, wow! What a luscious selection of tropical produce you have Merryn. It all looks fabulous. I love looking at garden produce when it is something that we can not grow in our climate. Your kale looks devine, I can't wait for my new lot to go in as we are quite addicted to kale chips every Sunday afternoon. Happy gardening :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are lucky your family eats kale chips. I know what you mean about admiring what grows in other climates Kyrstie, it is inspiring :D

      Delete
  5. what ana amazingly tropical collecton you have (no wonder the chook looks happy!). all the fancy things are amazing -but i would love to have a good old banana tree in my backyard! what a treat that would be.
    what do you do with chicory? i must admit i have no idea what it is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are fortunate to live in this climate and grow pitayas, bananas and also olives. The recent rain has been a blessing too, it was getting very dry.

      Delete
  6. I wish we had a more temperate climate down here! You have so many goodies growing that certainly wouldn't enjoy our frosty winters :( gorgeous produce, you are certainly very blessed indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes I guess bananas are not common in Hobart (but between you and me - I am allergic to them ;p). Chicory has a slightly bitter taste and it is an Italian offering, finely sliced 1:3 ratio with baby spinach and a balsamic dressing. Or served with a soft boiled egg to ooze over accompanied by a creamy dressing. You can lightly cook it to take away some bitterness but it always needs a dressing. Italians believe the bitterness is good for your liver.

    ReplyDelete