Early Spring in the Fernmount Food Forest

We need to clear under these trees so that the falling Macadamia Nuts are easily visible. I have made a start by clearing the Pepinos also a useful fruit that flourishes here in our wetter months. So far we have no diseases or major pests attacking the trees. Let's hope the Cockatoos don't find them.

 This pink flowering Macadamia looks to produce a great crop. 'There are two varieties of Macadamia, M. tetraphylla with pale pink flowers, and M. integrifolia with cream flowers.'

Macadamia

Pseudonia sinensis Chinese Quince

 This seedling Chinese Quince quite tolerates this climate. This is a three year old plant which has naturally grown into this shape. Perhaps I need to prune it although the multiple stems would be a stunning feature.

Forest Pansy (Cercis canadensis)

 The early leaves of the Forest Pansy. Did you know native Americans ate the pink flowers. They have a pleasant taste.

A blue Salvia climbs through the Forest Pansy

Salvias are a wonderful resource for nectar loving birds and provide an easily accessible mulch. Crush and crumble the stalks and leaves as you walk.

Star Apple

 The Star Apple has suffered from the cold with half the foliage dying back. It always struggles back in Spring and gradually grows taller every year. Perhaps it will soon be high enough to better survive the cold winter ground air.

Australian Sweet Lime

 This Lime variety is a huge producer of fruit.

Gramma Pumpkin flower

I hope there are a few male flowers Pumpkin left somewhere to fertilise these female flowers.

Red Grapfruit

This red grapefruit tree produces in abundance.

Some Tamarilloes have overwintered and the Spring flush of Cherimoyas has begun.

Elderberry flower

Try these Elderberry flowers in batter. Always cook the berries.

Mango in flower

Perhaps we will have a crop of Mangoes this year. It all depends on the weather. This dry period will see much fruit set but rain will determine whether the trees have sufficient moisture hang on to the fruit. Last year was too dry to hold fruit.

Galangal

Ready to be dug and expensive to buy, Galangal grows easily in our food forest.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Our Brunfelsia latifolia is scenting our whole garden.

Unknown succulent

We think this succulent is Kalanchoe 'Donkey Ears'. Poisonous but decorative and protects bare soil.

Pink Grevillia

 I treat this Grevillia mean and chop it back regularly. It rewards us with flushes of flowers.