KITCHEN GARDENS With Norina Jane

Have you ever considered growing Australian Native Bush Tucker?

For those of you who are experienced at growing your own food, this could be your next venture.

As we develop our nursery at Paluma Road, our focus is on Australian Natives. We will share the full story about this with you in the next addition of Core Life Magazine’s Home and Garden Issue in July, so keep an eye out for that.  

In our research into Australian Natives, learning about bush tucker has meant new and interesting plants are making their way into our ever-expanding edible home garden.

I have not found a lot of native plants that would be looked upon as vegetables for us to grow (yet) but there are a few bush tomatoes, leafy greens and yams - I am yet to experiment with these, if you have – please let me know!

norinajane@whitpro.com.au

So, let’s talk bush fruit!

Here’s one you must give a go. As we all become increasingly aware of the rising costs of feeding our families, I note that Finger Lime fruit are not only difficult to find, they are also expensive to buy, so grow your own - I have two but plan on planting many more.

Finger Limes are versatile in the kitchen as they can be used for sweet or savoury dishes.

Mix them with whipped cream and put it on your favourite desert (a dash of Cointreau and wow!), they are also great in rice paper rolls, served with seafood, used in jams and sauces and even in curries!

They (like most fruit trees) are hungry plants, so fertile soil is a must. They like a moist (so mulch around the base of the tree), well-drained soil and grow best in part shade. They can take 3-5 years before fruit appear, so get planting now!

Described as citrus caviar, this fruit has become very sought after as an Australian native restaurant favourite and looks fantastic on your plate.

Other bush fruits you could grow here in the Whitsundays are: Quandongs, Rose Myrtle and Riberry.

Growing your own is not only rewarding, healthy and the environmental way to go, it

can also save you money.  

Have you planted your lettuce yet? If not, drop in and I’ll give you seeds!  

Did you know:

•Aboriginals used the Finger Lime pulp as an antiseptic for open wounds.

•Finger Limes are one of the few citrus fruits that can be easily frozen, storing is not an issue that means you can have them all year long!

•Finger Lime varieties produce green, yellow and red fruit, each with a slightly different flavour.

Caution: it’s a prickly tree but that makes it a safe haven for birds (silver-lining)

Finger Lime takes 3-5 years before fruit appear

Quandong are other native fruits that can grow in the Whitsundays

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