Another Midsummer post in the hottest of weather in mid north coast NSW

Even in the hottest of midsummer with heatwaves pounding Australia we have produce available and an exciting garden to explore. We only aim to produce a variety of food for our family, hence we plant a number of fruit and nut tree varieties; or we plant the same tree variety in different locations on our acre to create different ripening times. 

So you will not see a row of custard apples but you will see a custard apples planted on the high side, the low side, in shade and in sun. In addition to planting location variability is the variability of the plants themselves, being seed grown they have slight genetic differences.

Perennial Capsicum with a bite

Some perennial food plants for our Coffs Coast climate

We try to grow perennial vegetables to supply our needs, not only because they are less work but also because many perennial vegetables suit our climate and many of the annual vegetables we have traditionally eaten better suit climates with cold winters. This may also mean we need to change our diet a little so that we eat more green vegetables. Certainly we need to experiment with preparing our perennial vegetables so that they are as attractive to eat as the vegetables we may have traditionally eaten at our parents' table.

Eating local is also better for the planet.

Kang Kong

Kang Kong grows well in water or moist ground.  Here its broad edible leaves are shown with Lebanese Cress growing in a small pond.