Abundant Chaya Spinach Tree in our Food Forest

Our 3m high Chaya Spinach Tree

Chaya Tree Spinach (Cnidiscolus chayamansa) is a fantastic and abundant food. Chaya leaves do need some cooking preparation as do Cassava leaves and Warrigal Greens. Wikipedia states up to 5 raw leaves a day can be eaten but other sources are more cautious. Although blending and drying also seems to remove the toxic hydrocyanic acid substances, boiling for 20 minutes is recommended. The leaves survive the boiling still looking green and attractive. The broth that is left can also be consumed as the toxic substances have been destroyed by the heat.

Cooking in aluminum cookware can result in a toxic broth, causing diarrhea.^[13]

Fruiting and flowering in a late Spring (November) garden on mid north coast NSW

The ten year old purpose built house is designed for comfort, space and to save energy wherever possible. It has 2.5kw of solar power facing north and is fully insulated.

Planting at the front gate in Spring (Furcrea, Pentstemon and Bismarck Palm)

The rooms are spacious with high ceilings. The three bedrooms are roomy. Each room has a garden outlook and privacy. The large master bedroom has an ensuite and walk in robe and opens on to the north facing terrace.

The Music Room provides a nook to escape from the Family Room.

A hot water pump circulates hot water to the taps with the push of a button saving on cold water. An instant hot water tap save energy, no kettles are needed. A filtered water tap is situated alongside.

Although the house is connected to the mains water supply a 25000 litre tank collects rain water for the garden taps, the laundry and toilets.

A worm farm sewerage system deals with all black and grey water and pumps water to a thrid of the orchard.

View from the front entrance

Across the quiet rural road Fernmount Cemetery is rarely used.

Brunsfeldsia near the spa (under sail) on western terrace.

Walking iris and pool garden below spa terrace

The huge hardwood back western facing deck has blinds.

There is space for a plant nursery and worm farm under the excavated corner of the house.

Steps lead up from the main path, past raised vegetable beds (right) to the north facing terrace.

North facing terrace

North facing lawn with main bedroom window

Front entrance with extra large double garage on left

Front entrance with coreopsis in gravel garden

Music room looking to the north terrace and dining room

Family Room looking to the back deck

Spa and back deck

Bedroom 2

Phil Dudman presented on a large screen TV

Twenty Bellingen Seedsavers had an excellent guest speaker experience when  Phil Dudman (writer and presenter from the Organic Garden and ABC Garden Show) visited the Fernmount Food Forest to speak on Fruit Tree Pruning, propagating and much more.