We currently have 43 crops in production in our 400 square metre back garden.

SE Queensland’s dams are around 70% empty, but we’ve got just enough recycled water to scrape by. Due to this I’m not using any town water as yet, thanks to the few showers of rain that fell over the past few weeks.

There’s a few rain-bearing clouds around us right now, but without further falls it’s unlikely that we’ll survive this week without needing to resort to town water. And the consequence of this will mean observing the current hosepipe ban.

* Roots and tubers

Arrowroot, Canna edulis
Yam, Dioscorea sp.
Lesser Galangal, Kaempferia galangal
Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Potato, Solanum tuberosum ‘Kipfler’
Cocoyam, Xanthosoma saggitifolia
Radish, Raphanus sativus ‘French Breakfast’

* Leaves, flowers and shoots

Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus
Curry Leaf, Murraya koenigii
Weavers’ Bamboo, Bambusa textilis
Ceylon Spinach, Basella alba
Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Garlic chives, Allium ramosum (syn. A. tuberosum)
Sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’
Choko, Sechium edule
Lemon-scented Myrtle, Backhousia citriodora
Kohl Rabi, Brassica oleracea ‘Purple Vienna’
Beetroot, Beta vulgaris ‘Bull’s Blood’
Dill, Anethum graveolens
Coriander, Coriandrum sativum
Golden Oregano, Oreganum vulgare ‘Aureum’
Moroccan Mint, Mentha spicata
Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum
Swinecress, Coronopus didymus
Chickweed, Stellaria media
Fat Hen, Chenopodium album
Rainbow Silverbeet, Beta vulgaris var. cicla ‘Rainbow Mixed’
Mangelwurzel, Beta vulgaris
Mustard, Brassica juncea ‘Osaka Purple’
Black Mustard, Brassica nigra
Rocket, Eruca sativa
Portuguese cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. acephala ‘Couve Tronchuda’
Chinese Celery, Apium graveolens var. dulce

* Fruits, seeds and nuts

Broad Bean, Vicia faba ‘Aquadulce’
Chill, Capsicum annuum cv.
Pea, Pisum sativum ‘Spanish Skyscraper’
Snow Pea, Pisum sativum ‘Oregon’
Golden Zucchini, Curcubita pepo ‘Gold Rush’
Pawpaw, Carica papaya ‘Southern Red’
Tomato (Cherry), Lycopersicum esculentum ‘Tommy Toe’ and ‘Sweet Bite’
Pineapple, Ananas comosus ‘Mareeba Sweet’
Passionfruit, Passiflora edulis ‘Panama Red’

Total: 43 cultivars

Jerry Coleby-Williams