Yandina Community Gardens

41 Farrell street, Yandina

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Chilli

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Capsicum annuum, C. chinense, C. pubescens, C. baccatum

Origin: South and Central America

Plant: All year round in warm climates

Harvest: All year round in warm climates

Propagate: Seed

These decorative, short-lived, warm climate perennials are renowned for their fiery fruit which come in a variety of colours: red, yellow, orange, black, purple, green. These plants grow up to 2 metres high with the smaller fruit generally being the hottest but their are many exceptions. The flesh and seeds of the fruit are eaten, with the seeds being the hottest component. Chilli seeds need warmth to germinate and enjoy a hot and sunny position with well drained soil. Regular watering is important avoid excessive application of fertilisers, instead provide a high level of organic matter and be sure to practice crop rotation.

Mulberry

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Morus alba, M. nigra, M. rubra, M. macroura
Common Name: Mulberry
Origin: Asia (white mulberry), United States (red mulberry) and Middle East (black mulberry)
Best Climate: Widely climatically adaptable
Plant: Any time in the sub-tropics, although winter is best
Harvest: Early spring
Large, stunning trees belonging to the same family as fig. Faster growing White (leaves used for silkworm larvae) compared to slower growing black producing the larger, sweeter clusters of fruit.
Both grow in this area and can handle a variety of soils, as long as they are reasonably deep and well drained.  Trees can be pruned similar to an apple – open vase and they require watering until well established. They can also be grown in pots (dwarf form) so they’re easier to protect from birds.
Flowering takes place over many weeks and fruit ripens from early Spring onwards in Sunshine Coast.
Apart from birds eating the fruit a common disease affecting leaves during wet weather is Mulberry Leaf Spot. Bordeaux Spray can be used only after leaf fall up until bud burst. For 10 litres dissolve 100g copper sulphate with hot water in a plastic bucket, then pour into sprayer 3/4 filled with cold water. Now mix 100g hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) with a small amount of water to make a slurry and add to your copper sulphate solution. Stir and add water to make 10 litres. Add 50ml white oil to assist with sticking to leaves. Stir constantly to avoid nozzle blockage.

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Permaculture People

Elizabeth Fekonia - Permaculture Real Food
Anne Gibson - The Micro Gardener
Morag Gamble - Our Permaculture Life
Dee Humphreys - Eatin Garden Edible Garden Tours

Acknowledgement of country

Yandina Community Gardens acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of the land, the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) people, past and present and emerging. We recognise and wish to learn from their spiritual and cultural connection to the land.