I guess I should start off by explaining why I have an interest in growing my own fruit. About two years ago I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. I had constant bloating in my stomach, lots of diarrhoea and a general feeling of being unwell. Luckily, my awesome doctor told me about the low fodmap diet - a diet designed for IBS sufferers - and I jumped right in. It has been a year and I am still finding it challenging. There are lots of foods I can’t eat, but I find this as a blessing in disguise. I have learnt so much about plant-based foods and how you can eat them to improve digestion as well as food overall. I haven’t had any processed foods in 6 months, haven’t had chocolate or lollies or soft drink or even alcohol since starting the diet. So yeah, I’m all for whole, organic foods. Now back to why I got interested in growing my own fruits. I have been on the low fodmap diet for a year now so I know which foods are my go-to options. Fruit and vegetables make up 60% of my diet. Vegetables are dirt cheap at the markets I go to, but fruit can be a little more pricey. Bring a university student on a low budget (and a general stooge with my money), this can get very frustrating. So, I’m hoping to start small and slowly build myself up. These are the fruits I am wanting to grow in my backyard. Btw, I live in Australia. There is endless sun for 9 months of the year.
Pineapple
Guava
Paw paw (I think it’s the same as papaya, not sure)
Lemon
Bananas
Raspberries
Blueberries
Strawberries
Oranges
I can only grow them in pots, so this is where I’d grow them:
Low chill blueberries do well here and are best in pots, genetic dwarf peaches, (I.e. Sunset series), bananas are hungry, you’d probably need a 150ltr pot or bigger, most eugenias will fruit in a pot, atemoyas will with work, dwarf apples can be espaliered in pots Citrus will do well in pots. Id suggest it might be worth a look into root pruning pots if your keen on long term fruiting in pots.
Generally associated with consumption of specific nuts/seeds. These are typically present in processed food products such as granola. Almonds are a big factor for many people but it varies. The issue is with seed (nut) coatings that plants produce that inhibit digestion by mammals; e.g. squirrels.
Yes but unlike qld where a pineapple will fruit in 12 months, in perth its up to 4 yrs and 1 plant = 1 pineapple. Thats a lot of plants for a steady supply. I know a guy with acreage planted 70 or 80 that kept him happy, but you need volume if you want more than a novelty.
I have 5 types and I dont see much variation. But there could be commercial ones not generally available that are quicker. I think we just dont get the long warm growing seasons here. They pretty much go dormant for 6 month’s of the year. I have a few bracteata and theyre quicker but more ornamental than edible.
Cheers mate good to know. I think I’ll try blueberries, strawberries and oranges. Would like to try guava and papaya, but I’m not sure they could survive the winter
you east or west coast?