With 100 square metres of good soil you can feed a person all year round. That’s what my ‘Dig for Victory’ grandparents taught me when I was a teenager in London. Here in sunny subtropical Brisbane you also need a minimum of 7,000 litres of stored water, ideally 10,000 litres, to sustain that production through drought. In the drought between 2005 and 2010 I used less than 1 litre of recycled waste water to grow the bulk of our food supply.

At Bellis, I have 300 square metres under production to supply a household of three. I have an orchard with 41 different kinds of fruit. I have six hives of stingless bees, three hives of Tetragonula carbonaria, three of  T. hockingsi and these make up two of the 23 species of bee which pollinate my crops. Two strains of European honeybee are also present but are in critically low numbers due to introduced pests and diseases.

Pictured below is the predator border... These are all plants that are useful for bringing predatory and other beneficial insects into my garden. They do most of my pest management

The Herb Border is even more densely packed so I’ve made a short video to help visualise it. There’s no sound, so pay attention!

And while I’m at it here’s a whistle stop tour of the spice border.

 

Last week on 1st May, an East Coast Low weather system brought floods to south east Queensland. East Coast Lows can pack winds of a category 1-2 cyclone. They are often the most likely source of heavy rain during El Nino droughts.

My garden received 176mm rain, which means:

* 176 litres of water falling per square metre;
* 26,250 litres entering the rainwater tank (1.25 times capacity);
* 10,560 litres fell on the lawn;
* 143,088 litres fell across the property;

Australian home swimming pools average 40 – 50,000 litres in capacity, so the Bellis property absorbed between 3 and 3.5 swimming pools of water – water which otherwise could have added to local flooding. Town planners and landscapers really need to learn how easy it is to create a ‘whole of site water management plan’. They work on a domestic and landscape scale.

Messages? Well managed land can support domestic food security despite the decline of the honeybee. Food and plants surpluses can be traded to support a tight household budget. Healthy, biologically active soil that is maintained sustainably, supports productivity during unprecedented drought, and during floods it can offset local flooding.

This month is my Open Day, courtesy of Open Gardens Australia, so I’ve included my food surplus to give you an idea of what sustainable gardening – about 10 – 14 hours labour a week – can get from 300 square metres of good soil.

Happy gardening!

1 Bellis autumn menu

Edible roots and shoots

Arrowroot, Canna edulis;
Bamboo, Monastery, Thyrsostachys siamensis;
Bamboo, Oldham’s, Bambusa oldhamii;
Cassava, Manihot esculenta;
Cassava, Manihot esculenta ‘Variegata’;
Cocoyam, Xanthosoma saggitifolia;
Jerusalem artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus ‘Dwarf Sunray’;
Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas ‘Ace of Spades’ (small, tasty tubers);
Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’;

Edible leaves

* Basil, cinnamon, Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’;
* Basil, lemon, Ocimum x citriodora
* Basil, sacred, Ocimum tenuiflorum;
Cassava, Manihot esculenta;
Cassava, Manihot esculenta ‘Variegata’;
Celery stem taro, aka Tahitian spinach, Alocasia esculenta;
Cha-plu, Piper sarmentosum;
Chickweed, Stellaria media;
* Chicory, Cichorium intybus;
Chicory, Cichorium intybus ‘Red Dandelion’;
Chinese celery, aka smallage, Apium graveolens;
* Chinese spinach, Amaranthus tricolor;
* Chinese spinach, Amaranthus tricolor ‘Flaming Fountains’;
* Chinese spinach, Amaranthus tricolor ‘Mekong Red’;
* Chinese spinach, Amaranthus tricolor ‘Red Callaloo’;
Chives, Allium schoenoprasum;
* Coriander, Coriandrum sativum;
* Coriander, Thai, Eryngium foetidum;
* Cranberry Hibiscus, Hibiscus acetosella;
Curry bush, Helichrysum italicum;
Curry leaf, Murraya koenigii;
Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale;
* Dill, Anethum graveolens;
* Endive, Cichorium endivia ‘Green Bowl’;
Eschallot, Allium cepa var. aggregatum;
Fennel, Florence, Foeniculum vulgare Azoricum Group ‘Zefa-Fino’;
Fennel, Bronze, Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’;
Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum;
* Green Amaranth, Amaranthus viridis;
* Huauzontle, Chenopodium berlandieri;
Japanese parsley, Cryptotaenia japonica;
* Jute, Corchorus olitorius;
Kaffir lime, Citrus hystrix;
* Lagos spinach, Celosia spicata;
Landcress, Barbarea vulgaris;
Lebanese cress, Aethionema coridifolium;
Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus;
* Lemongrass, Native, Cymbopogon flexuosus;
* Love-lies-bleeding, Amaranthus caudatus;
Love-lies-bleeding, Amaranthus caudatus ‘Green’;
Lettuce, Lactuca sativa ‘Buttercrunch’;
Marjoram, Origanum marjorana;
Mexican tree spinach, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius;
* Mint, Corsican, Mentha requienii;
Mint, native, Mentha satureoides;
Mint, Moroccan, Mentha spicata;
* Mustard, Brassica juncea ‘Osaka Purple’;
* Mustard, Brassica juncea ‘Giant Red’;
* Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus;
Old man saltbush, Atriplex nummularia;
Onion, Tree or Egyptian Walking, Allium x proliferum;
Onion, Welsh perennial, or perennial spring onion, aka scallion, Allium fistulosum;
Pandan, Pandanus amaryllifolius;
* Parsley, Petroselenium crispum ‘Italian flat-leaved’;
* Prince of Wales’ Feather, Celosia cristata;
* Purslane, Wild, Portulaca oleracea;
* Purslane, Golden, Portulaca oleracea subsp. sativa;
Radicchio, Cichorium intybus;
* Rocket, Wall or wild, Eruca saliva;
Rosella, Hibiscus sabdariffa;
Society garlic, Tulbaghia violacea ‘Variegata’;
Society garlic, Tulbaghia violacea ‘Fairy Stars’;
* Stinking Roger, Tagetes minuta;
Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas ‘Ace of Spades’;
Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’;
Thyme, Variegated, Thymus serpyllum ‘Variegata’;
Variegated four seasons herb, Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegatus’;
Variegated four seasons herb, Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Bayside Beauty’;
Vietnamese mint, Persicaria odorata;
* Warrigal greens, Tetragonia tetragonioides;

Edible petals

Bedding Begonia, Begonia semperflorens;
Begonia, Begonia ‘Dragon Wings’;
* Cranberry Hibiscus, Hibiscus acetosella (excellent for tea);
Canna, Canna iridiflora;
Fig-marigold, Aptenia cordifolia;
Goldenrod, Solidago sp.;
* Rocket, Wall or wild, Eruca sativa;
* Stinking Roger, Tagetes minuta;

Edible seed

Chilean wine palm, Jubaea chilensis;
Corn, Supersweet, Zea mays ‘Snowgold Bicolor’
Fennel, Florence, Foeniculum vulgare Azoricum Group ‘Zefa-Fino’;
Pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan;

Fruit

Banana (green), Musa x sapientum ‘Java Blue’;
Banana (green), Musa x sapientum ‘Ladyfinger’;
Capsicum, Capsicum annuum ‘Corno di Toro’;
Chilean wine palm, Jubaea chilensis (preserved in pandan-flavoured syrup);
Chilli, Capsicum annuum ‘Hungarian Hot Wax’;
* Chilli, Capsicum annuum ‘Long Red Cayenne’;
* Chilli, Capsicum annuum ‘Piri Piri’;
Chilli, Capsicum annuum ‘Siam Gold’;
Chilli, Capsicum annuum ‘Bangkok Bobby’;
Finger lime, Citrus australasica;
Kaffir lime, Citrus hystrix;
Lemon, Citrus x limon ‘Meyer’;
Lemon, Citrus x limon ‘Villa Franca Variegata’;
Lemonade, Citrus limon x aurantifolia;
Lime, Tahitian, Citrus x latifolia;
* Mouse Melon, Melothria scabra;
* Pawpaw, Carica papaya ‘Southern Red’;
Pineapple, Ananas comosus ‘Queensland Rough’;
Pineapple, Ananas comosus ‘Spanish Red’
Pineapple, Dwarf, Ananas nanus;
Rosella, Hibiscus sabdariffa;
Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum ‘Apollo’;

Medicinal / Spices

Aloe vera – leaf juice used to heal sunburn, scratches, and for shampoo;
Bulbine frutescens – leaf juice used to treat burns, rashes, as an infusion for sore throats;
Brahmi herb, Bacopa monnieri – aids cognitive function;
Cardamom, Eletteria cardamomum;
Cardamom, False, Alpinia nutans;
* Catnip, Nepeta cataria; the juice left by rubbing elbows and ankles with fresh leaves helps deter mosquitoes;
Galangal, Alpinia galangal – spice used like ginger with similar properties;
Ginger, Culinary, Zingiber officinalis – spice that helps decongestion of catarrh, aids digestion, blood flow;
Ginger, Shampoo, Zingiber newmanii – from Seed Savers. Juice from flower spikes is used to wash hair;
* Greater celandine, Chelidonium majus – stem juice kills warts on hands;
Krachai (root), Boesenbergia rotunda;
Rosemary, dwarf, Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Benenden Blue’;
Rosemary, fastigiate, Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Miss Jessopp’;
* Skullcap, Blue, Scutellaria lateriflora;
Turmeric, Curcuma longa – spice with anti-cancer, anti-stress properties;

* denotes a volunteer crop
Total 117 taxa

2 Jams

Sweet jams
Qld Rough Pineapple jam 250ml x 14;
Meyer Lemon marmalade 180ml x 80;
Tahitian Lime marmalade 180ml x 82;
Tahitian Lime marmalade 250ml x 27;
Pawpaw & Ginger jam 250ml x 7;
Pawpaw & Ginger jam 180ml x 8;

Savoury chutney and jams

Banana chilli jam 150ml x 11;
Banana chilli jam 250ml x 11;
Siam Gold chilli jam 250ml x 23;
Siam Gold chilli jam 150ml x 23;
Piri Piri chilli jam 150ml x 19;
Piri Piri chilli jam 180ml x 6;
Birds’ Eye chilli jam 250ml x 5;
Cayenne chilli jam 250ml x 13;
Pawpaw chutney 180ml x 7;
Pawpaw chutney 250ml x 4;


Chilli jam ’heat’ by the Scoville Scale
Capsicum = 0 Scoville heat units
Siam Gold = 3,500 – 4,000
Cayenne = 30,000 – 50,000
Piri Piri = 50,000 – 100,000
Hot Banana = 100,000 – 125,000
Birds’ Eye = 100,000 – 225,000
Ghost (aka ‘Bhut Jolokia’) = 1,000,000 – 2,000,000

Total: 

340 jars jam

3 Surplus Saved Seed

Snow Pea ‘Delta Matilda’ x 19 packets
Madagascar bean, Phaseolus lunatus x 13 packets
Lagos Spinach, Celosia spicata x 49 packets
Flowering Turnip (a leaf vegetable) x 26
Chinese cabbage ‘Tokyo Bekana’ x 21
Ethiopian cabbage, Brassica carinata ‘Old Women Meet and Gossip’ x 42
Carrot ‘Lunar White’ x 75
Stinking Roger x 28
Red Mizuna x 47
Florence Fennel x 45
Lettuce ‘Royal Purple Oakleaf’ x 23
Huauzontle, Chenopodium berlandieri x 94
Soya bean, Glycine max x 9
Coriander x 8
Climbing Bean ‘Epicure’ x 8
Pigeon Pea, Cajunus cajan x 4
Italian Parsley x 174



Total 685 Packets

4 Surplus Nursery Stock

Fruit

Biriba, Rollinia deliciosa x 3;
Chocolate Pudding tree, Diospyros digyna x 19;
Coffee, First Fleet, Coffea arabica ‘First Fleet’ x 11;
Custard Apple, Annona reticulata x 39;
Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera ‘Medjool’ x 5;
Heritage Mandarin, Citrus x reticulata ‘Parramatta Sweets’ x 26;
Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus ‘Jacamole’ x 8;
Pepino, Solanum muricatum x 80;
Pawpaw, Carica papaya ‘Columbian Round’ x 70;
Pomelo, Citrus grandis ‘Thai Sun’ x 10;
Queen of the Night fruit, Selenicereus grandiflorus x 77;
Soursop, Annona muricata x 44;
White Pitahaya, Hylocereus undatus x 30;



Vegetables
Celery Stem Taro, Colocasia esculenta x 29;
Chicory, Cichorium intybus x 16;
Cocoyam, Xanthosoma saggitifolia x 18;
Cranberry Hibiscus, Hibiscus acetosella x 62;
Elephant’s Foot Yam, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius x 23;
Dwarf Jerusalem artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus ‘Dwarf Sunray’ x 29;
Lebanese Cress, Aethionema coridifolia x 35;
Mexican Tree Spinach, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius x 32;


Herbs

Four Seasons Herb, Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegatus’ x 90;
Krachai, Boesenbergia rotunda x 26;
Leek, Seed Savers Multiplier (aka Perennial) leek, Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum x 112;
Native lemongrass, Cymbopogon ambiguus x 11;
Variegated Society Garlic, Tulbaghia violacea ‘Variegata’ x 24;


Spices
Chilli, Capsicum annuum ‘Ghost’ aka ‘Bhut Jolokia’. Mega-hot, up to 2 million Scoville heat units! x 80;



Medicinal

Burn Jelly Plant, Bulbine frutescens x 24 ;



Australian plants
Crown of Gold tree, Barklya syringifolia x 6;
Native Butterfly tree, Capparis arborea x 19;
Ormeau Bottle tree, Brachychiton ormeau x 1 (critically endangered local native);
Plectranthus cremnus (Lennox Head, NSW, rare) x 39;
Queensland Bottle tree, Brachychiton rupestris x 1;
Tree Waratah, Alloxylon flammeum x 3;


Exotic ornamentals

Bromeliad, Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ x 3;
Christmas palm, Adonidia merrillii (Philippines) x 1;
Dragon tree, Large-leaved, Dracaena aletriformis x 14;
Gerold’s Thornless Crown of Thorns, Euphorbia geroldii (Madagascar, critically endangered) x 42;
Giant Crinum Lily, Crinum asiaticum var. pedunculatum x 9;
Riverine Flame Vine, Combretum microphyllum (Zimbabwe) x 3;
White Frangipani, Plumeria pudica (resistent to Frangipani Rust disease) x 8;

Total: 41 taxa, 1,797 plants




Jerry Coleby-Williams
Director, Seed Savers’ Network
Patron, Householder’s Options to Protect the Environment
5th May 2015