Healthy Food, Healthy Environment
Food is easy to grow both indoors (sprouts, ferments and seed raising) and out. Especially if you select food plants that your bioregion grows easily. In many gardening circles, there is great pride in growing exotic plants whilst neglecting indigenous food plants. Let’s flip this. Let’s rediscover and celebrate our bioregional attributes and rebuild natural abundance.
Globally, most people eat annual food crops. We are conditioned to replicate these foods unaware that perennial food plants need less care and offer more and demand less. However, perennial plants are more functional. Perennial plants provide edible leaves and fruit as well as a windbreak, mulch material, fruits, mushroom habitat, erosion management, and wildlife habitat.
Also, there are thousands of forgotten, indigenous and underutilised foods. The individual, first-time food growing will accept ugly fruits, is willing to harvest bit by bit and takes pride in seed selection. They know the joy of truly fresh food.
Bioregion Strengths
All plants have a preffered environment. not everything we eat grows easily in our bioregion. And sometimes, we don’t care to eat what does grow well. Lets find a way to bring this into harmony. Share recipes and tricks so we can what is happy to grow locally.
Grow it Loud
Food plants grow happily in buckets, in pots, in straw-bales and in street, in the front garden. Food plants don’t need to be hidden in a back corner like many neglected vegetable patches. Given that most people don’t know what food plants look like, there is no reason to not grow food plants as a beautiful display. Perhaps you are concerned that your neighbours are so hungry that they will steal pumpkins. Turn this problem into your solution. Grow extra pumpkins and join the food is free movement.
Food comes in many different packages
Many parts of common food plants can be eaten, including sprouts, tendrils and flowers. Here is a quick list of what grows in the Illawarra, NSW Australia
Edible flowers: Sage: pineapple and fruit salad sage (our favourites), Pumpkin (Curcurbits), Sunflower (flowerhead can be baked whole), Magnolia, Artichokes, Elderflowers, Bluebells, Calendulas, Cornflowers, Hibiscus, pelagoniums, Garland, Nasturtiums, Chrysanthemums (medicinal), Citrus flowers, Brassica flowers (such as brocolli and turnip flowers), Borage, Amaranthus, Violets, Fushia, Gladioli, Banana (cooked after treated by soaking).
Peppermint TeaSweetners: Sugarcane and stevia, honey
Medicines: Aloe Vera and Petty spurge.
Tea: Flax, Tea tree, Lemon, Scented tea tree, Bamboo leaf, Mint (Mentha), Backhousia citriodora, violets [Viola], Syzygium anisatum, Orris Root (Melalueca (Leptospermum alternifolia) Petersonii), Lemon grass, Sweet fennel (dulcis var.), Alpine strawberry leaves, Chamomile.
Useful Plants include bamboo for structures and fire-lighting, Paperbark and Banana leaves for food wraps for baking. Hedges and Vines are useful for living fences and privacy screens.
Poultry food and medicine: Protein (snails and insects) is essential, Pigeon Pea, wormwood, Accacia, pumpkin, longifolia, clover seed, cleavers, grasses and dandelion weeds, melon and garlic, sunflowers, fennel, Evening primrose seeds, grapevine leaves. Bamboo and banana leaves are goose food. Weeds are used in the henhouse for bedding and early-morning food. Chicks are trained to eat invasive weeds such as Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia).
Edible Groundcovers: Sweet Potato (Kumara) edible cooked leaf and tuber, Yarrow (medicinal), Chamomile (medicinal tea), strawberries, New Zealand Spinach Tetragonia tetragonioides, mint, woodruff (flavouring), prostrate grevillia (nectar for cordial), Marjoram.
Shrubs: Blueberries, Raspberries, Hazelnut, Tamarillo, Coffee, Tea (camellia senensis), Chilli Rococo Tree.
Tall grasses, herbs and canes: Blueberries, raspberries, Taro, Beans, Peas, Monstera, Spinach, Milo (type of Sorghum), Popping Sorghum, Corn, Wheat, Rye, wormwood, perenial Capsicum, Bush Tomatoes, Sage, Oregano, Sugarcane, Banana.
Vines: passionfruit (sweet and banana), Kiwifruit (1 male, 2 female), Basella, varieties of grape, Choko (Chayote).
Edible Trees: Blue Lilly pilly, Pigeon Pea – soil conditioner edible fruit, Indigenous, and edible pods windbreak, birds. Mulberry alba and nigra – choose different varieties. Moreton Bay fig, Sandpaper Banana – fruits fig, Bunya pine (huge tree with large and dangerous fruits up to 35kg each, do not plant near homes or paths), Monstera Deliociosa – (many Australians call this Monsterio), Chestnut Avocado – easily grown from seed, Walnut, Lemon – grow from seed, Chinotto Orange, Native or exotic Hibiscus (flowers) – seed or cutting, Mango, Olives – cutting or seed, Macadamia, Illawarra Plum, Mountain Paw Paw, Damson (Babaco, also known as champagne fruit), Pistachio, Hazelnut, Almond, Saba Nut, Pecan (need male and female), Pear, Rambutan, Grapefruit, Native Guava, Persimmon, Orange (including Seville and Valencia orange), Mandarine (try to obtain early, middle and late varities), Cherry (best in temperate areas, may need anti-aivary), Barbados Cherry (suits subtropics), Feijoa, Ice Cream Bean, Apple.
Smaller harvest from these below- Arbutus unedo – Irish suitable for large sites – increases diversity strawberry tree, Jak fruit, Japanese Raisan Tree, Linden, Gingko Lemonade, Italian Pine, Medlar, Stone Pine, Natal Cherry, Date Palm, Nashi Wine Palm, Lychee, Walking stick Palm, Cabbage Tree Palm (indigenous), Pomelo, Wild Date Palm (also windbreak), Carob (in a dry micro-climate), Silver Birch (edible syrup), Pomegrantes, Sugar Maple, Magnolia (edible flowers) windbreak.
Fruit Fly prone trees [Must be planted within chicken forage areas] Quince, Plum, Custard Apple, Paw Paw – papaya, apricot, Peach, Loquat, Nectarine.
Useful Trees (all indigenous species support beneficial micro-organisms) All trees part of wind channelling toward windmill and away from housing Illawarra Flame (indigenous) flowers, birds, native bees, mulch, windbreak, deep rooted. Red Cedar (Toona Australis) rare indigenous tree, suited to wetter zone, deciduous, good windbreak. Plant only one by itself. Small grevillia, steep flowers for cordial, bird attractant and other Natural insect predators. Banksia Cauarina – nitrogen fixing. Lemon Scented tea tree -tea, antiseptic, bee forage. Grevillia robusta – timber and bee and edible nectar. Elm – 2 varieties or more. Boobialla (soft edible fruit) bird attractant, bushy, windbreak and screen. Agati (African tree has edible leaves and pods).
Acacia longifolia (edible seed) leaves for chicken and stock, soil conditioner, windbreak. A. acuminata (seed) A. Coriacea (seed) A. Holosericea (seed) A. Kempeana (seed and witchety grub) A. Notabilis (seed) A. Oswaldi (seed) A. Retinodes (seed) A. Victoriae (seed) A. Aneura (seed and edible Galls), Acacia main winter forage for bees, good pioneer species, soil conditioning and kindling for wood fire. Blueberry Ash (indigenous). Pine leaf Gebung (winter bee forage).
| HERBS | |
| Basil – (Sweet) | Ocimum basilicum |
| Brooklime | Veronica beccabunga |
| Buckhorn plantain | Plantago coronopus |
| Buckwheat greens | Fagopyrum esculentum |
| Cardamom | Amomum or Elettaria |
| Coriander | Coriandrum sativum |
| Cardoon | Cynara cardunculus Cardoon Group, syn. C. cardunculus var. altilis DC |
| Cress – | |
| garden cress | Lepidiumus sativum, |
| land cress | Barbarea verna |
| watercress | Nasturtium officinale |
| Watercress | Rorippa amphibia |
| lebanese Cress | Aethionema cordifolia |
| Chives | Allium schoenoprasum |
| Garlic Chives | Allium tuberosum |
| Chrysanthemum | Chrysanthemum coronarium |
| evening primrose | Oenothera |
| Lavender | Lavandula spp. |
| field poppy | papaver rhoeas |
| Balm | Melissa officinalis |
| mallow | Hibiscus Manihot |
| Ginger | Zingiber officinale |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium |
| Comfrey | Symphytum officinale |
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare |
| Thyme (Common) | Thymus vulgaris |
| Thyme (lemon) | Thymus citriodorus |
| Tansy | Tanacetum vulgare |
| Borage | Borago officinalis |
| Sage | Salvia officinalis |
| Sweet Bay / Bay Tree | Laurus nobilis |
| Mint | Mentha spp. |
| Cumin | Cuminum cyminum |
| Corn Salad | Valerianella olitora |
| Voilet | Viola odorata |
| Rosemary | Rosmarinus officinalis |
| Garlic | Allium sativum |
| Parsley(Curly) | Petroselinum crispum |
| Parsley (Italian) | Petroselinum neapolitanum |
| Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis |
| Aloe | Aloe spp. |
| Angelica | Angelica archangelica |
| Anise | Pimpinella anisum |
| Bergamot | Monarda didyma |
| Burdock | Arctium lappa L. |
| Bluebells (Spanish) | Hyacinthoides hispanica |
| Carnations | Dianthus caryophyllus |
| Chamomile | Matricaria chamomilla |
| Chickory | Chichorium intybus |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale |
| Dill | Anethum graveolens |
| Dock | Rumex spp. |
| Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare |
| Feverfew | Chrysanthemum parthenium |
| Geraniums (scented) | Pelargonium graveolens |
| Ginseng | Aralia quiquefolia |
| horseradish | Armoracia rusticana |
| Marjoram | Origanum majorana |
| Lemongrass | Cymbopogon citratus |
| Marshmallow | Althaea officinalis |
| Meadowsweet | Filipendula ulmaria |
| Mustard greens | Brassica juncea |
| Mint | Mentha spp. |
| Makuna – Wenna | Alternanthera triandra – sp. unknown? |
| Nasturtium | Tropaeolum majus |
| Orris Root | Iris germanica, Iris florentina, and Iris pallida. |
| Pandan | P. amaryllifolius |
| Pansies | Viola x wittrockiana |
| Pitcher Plant | |
| Rocket | Eruca sativa |
| Roses | Rosa spp. |
| Spring Onions | Allium fistulosum |
| salad burnet | Sanguisorba minor |
| Jute OR salad mallow | Corchorus olitorius |
| Sorrel | Rumex acetosa |
| society garlic | Tulbaghia violacea |
| Southern Wood | Artemesia abrotanum |
| star anise | Illicium verum |
| Strawberry | Fragaria |
| Tarragon | Artemisia dracunculus |
| Turmeric | Curcuma longa |
| Warrigal Greens | Tetragonia tetragonoides |
| Water Chestnut | Eleocharis, Trapa spp. |
| Wormwood | Artemisia absinthium |
| TEAS | |
| Carob | Ceratonia siliqua |
| Chickory | Cichorium intybus |
| Dandelion | Tarascum officinale |
| Kurrajong | Brachychiton populneum |
| Salsify | Tragopogon porrifolius |
| CITRUS | |
| Lemons | Citrus limon |
| Oranges | Citrus sinensis |
| Grapefruit | Citrus paradisi |
| Mandarins | Citrus reticulata |
| Kumquats | Fortunella japonica |
| Limes | Citrus aurantiifolia |
| Vegetables- pathside | |
| Beetroot | Beta vulgaris crassa |
| Corn Salad | Valerianella locusta |
| Cassava / Yuka | Manihot utilissima |
| Endives | Cichorium endiva |
| Daikon | Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus |
| Garden Cress | Lepidium sativum |
| Mustard Greens | Brassica juncea |
| Onion | Allium fistulosum |
| Scorzonera | Scorzonera hispanica |
| Broccoli | Brassica oleracea italica |
| Brussel Sprouts | Brassica oleracea gemmifera |
| Bunching Onions | Allium fistulosum |
| Capsicum | Capsicum annuum |
| Celery | Apium graveolens |
| Chickory | Cichorium intybus |
| Celeriac | Apium graveolens var. rapaceum |
| Kale | Brassica oleracea acephala |
| Bok Choi / Chinese Cabbage | Brassica rapa chinensis |
| Radish | Raphanus sativus |
| Rhubarb | Rheum rhabarbarum |
| Shallots | Allium cepa aggregatum |
| Silver Beet | Beta vulgaris cicla |
| Spinach | Spinacia oleracea |
| swede | Rutabaga |
| Yam | Dioscorea alata |
| Zucchini | Cucurbita pepo melopepo |
| Oca / Ocra | Oxalis Tuberosa |
| Asparagus | Asparagus officinalis |
| Beans | Phaseolus vulgaris |
| Bean – Winged | Psophocarpus tetragonolobus |
| Capsicum | Capsicum annuum |
| Carrots | Daucus carota sativus |
| Eggplant | Solanum melongena |
| Lettuce | Lactuca sativa |
| Mitsuba | Cryptotaenia japonica |
| Mizuna / Mizuma | Brassica japonica |
| Peas | Pisum sativum |
| Snow pea | Pisum sativum var. saccharatum |
| Purslane | Portuluca oleracea |
| Tomato | Lycopersicon esculentum |
| Arrowroot | Canna edulis |
| Cardamon | Elettaria cardamomum |
| Elderberry | Sambucus spp. |
| Monstera | Monstera deliciosa |
| Oats | Avena sativa |
| Okra | Abelmoschus esculentus |
| Sugar Cane | Saccarum officinarum |
| Taro | Colocasia esculenta |
| Wheat | Triticum spp. |
| New Zealand Spinach / Warrigal greens | Tertragonia expansa |
| Allspice | Pimenta dioica |
| Chilli | Capsicum frutescens |
| sunflower | Helianthus annuus |
| sweet cicely | Myrrhis odorata |
| Sweet Leaf Bush | Sauropus androgynus |
| Stevia | Stevia sp. |
| BROAD BEDS | |
| Beets | Beta vulgaris |
| Cabbage | Brassica oleracea capitata |
| Cauliflower | Brassica oleracea botrytis |
| Chinese Cabbage | Brassica rapa pekinensis |
| Globe Artichoke | Cynara scolymus |
| Kohlrabi | Brassica oleracea gongyloides |
| Leeks | Allium ampeloprasum porrum |
| Melons | Cucumis melo |
| Onions | Allium cepa |
| Parsnips | Pastanica sativa |
| Potato | Solanum tuberosum |
| Pumpkin | Cucurbita spp. |
| Turnips | Brassica rapa rapifera |
| Broad Bean | Vicia faba |
| Sweet potato / Kumara | Ipomoea batatas |
| Kang Kong | Ipomoea aquatica |
| GRAIN AND MULCH CROP | |
| Buckwheat | Fagopyrum esculentum |
| Clover | Trifolium spp. |
| Rape | Brassica napus |
| Rice | Oryza sativa |
| Rye | Secale cereale |
| Sweet Corn | Zea mays rugosa |
| Amaranth | Amaranthus spp. |
| Jerusalem Artichokes / Sunchokes | Helianthus tuberosus |
| VINES | |
| Choko | Sechium edule |
| Cucumber | Cucumis sativus |
| Jicama | Pachyrhizus erosus |
| Kiwi Fruit | Actinidia chinensis |
| Loganberries (Thornless) | Rubus ursinus var loganobaccus cv. |
| Passionfruit | Passiflora spp. |
| Peas | Pisum sativum |
| Pumpkin | Cucurbita spp. |
| Grape | Vitis |
| Climbing Bean | Phaseolus |
| Vanilla | Vanilla planifolia |
| Sprouts: | |
| wheat | Triticum spp |
| barley | Hordeum vulgare L. |
| Pioneer Legumes | |
| Acacia species | Acacia decurrens, A. fimbriata, A. Floibunda, A.Farnesiana |
| wattle | |
| Calliandra | |
| Pigeon Pea | Cajanus Cajan |
| Desmodium gyroides | |
| Lespedeza | |
| Leucaena | |
| cow pea | |
| Alfalfa / lucerne | Medicago sativa |
| Dun field pea | Pisum sativum subsp. arvense (L.) Asch |
| Haifa clover | |
| Safari clover | |
| lotononis | Lotononis bainesii |
| Lupins | Lupinus, Lupinus angustifolius |
| lotus | Nelumbo |
| pinto peanut | Arachis pintoi |
| rice bean | Vigna umbellata |
| Wynn cassia | Chamaecrista rotundifolia |
| TREES | |
| Guava | Psidium spp. |
| Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia |
| Mulberry | Morus sp. |
| Pine | Pinus sp. |
| Oak | Quercus spp. |
| Bamboo | |
| Palms | |
| Plantain | Musa × paradisiaca |
| Irish Strawberry Tree | Arbutus unedo |
| Mango | Mangifera indica |
| Native Rosella | Hibiscus sabdariffa |
| Tamarillo | Solanum betaceum |
| wampee | Clausena lansium |
| Almond | Prunus amygdalus, syn. Prunus dulcis, Amygdalus communis, Amygdalus dulcis |
| Apple | Malus domestica |
| Apricot | Prunus armeniaca |
| Olives | Olea europaea |
| Rungia klossii | Rungia klossii |
| Curry Leaf | Murraya koenigii |
| Aquatic Plants | |
| Taro | Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott (Araceae) Dasheen |
| Giant Tuber and related tubers | Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott (Araceae) |
| Wasabi | Wasbia japoncia (Miq) Matsum syn. Eutrema japonica (Miq) Kodiz (Cruciferae) |
| Houttuynia Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae) | |
| Seakale | Crambe maritima L. |
| Sea Asparagus | Salicornia europaea |
| L. Chenopodium | |
| Sacred Lotus | |
| Nelumbo | Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeacae) |
| Lin Ngau (rhizome), Lin Tze (seed) Chinese | |
| Dendrocalamus and Phyllostachys sp. | |
| Water chestnut | Water chestnut Trapa natans L. (Trapaceae) |
| Ling Kok | |
| Camas Lilies | Camassia Quamash var. maxima |
| Cranberry | (Viburnum trilobum or V. americanum) |
| Nut sedge | Cyperus esculentus |
| Water chestnut | (Eleocharis dulcis) |
| High bush Blueberry | (Vaccinium corymbosum) |
| Cranberry | (Vaccinium macrocarpon) |
| Wild Rice | (Zizania aquatica) |
| Black and Red Chokeberry | (Aronia melanocarpa and Aronia butefolia) |
| USEFUL PLANTS | |
| Daisy | Asteraceae |
| Comfrey | Symphytum officinale |
Plants for A Future
Here is a great reference guide for Permaculture gardens in UK https://pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx