Yandina Community Gardens

41 Farrell street, Yandina

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Lemongrass

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Lemongrass  (aka Melissa Grass, Sweet Rush)

Lemongrass (Web)Cymbopogon citratus

Origin: India and Sri Lanka

Plant: Spring, summer and autumn

Harvest:  The more it is cut for use, the thicker it will grow.

Propagation: is by the division of the bulbous base with roots.

 

Lemongrass is a perennial clumping grass to 100cm.  It is enjoyed as a herbal tea and the base stem is used in Asian cooking.

Set out plants in rows as part of a weed-barrier.  Use leaves as a’chop n drop’ mulch.  Plants have a thick matting root system so can be used for erosion control.

Jerusalem Artichoke

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Jerusalem Artichoke (aka sunchokes)

Helianthus tuberose

Origin: dry tropics of North America

Plant: Sept – Dec

Harvest: May, when the plants have totally died down.

Can be left in the ground or harvested and stored in moist sawdust in styrene boxes with lids. Jerusalem artichokes can be eaten raw, grated into salads or roasted along with other vegetables; takes no time to cook and should not be overdone. Safe food for diabetics (it contains inulin). Prebiotic – stimulates the lower bowel to produce the bacteria bifidus. Keep a small portion of the best tubers for replanting.

 

Jackfruit

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Jackfruit

Jackfruit (Web)Artocarpus integrifolia

Origin: Hot, humid tropics

Plant: Sept – Mar

Harvest: Mar – Nov

Immature fruit is used for its seed and can be made into a delicious curry. The ripe fruit is eaten raw and tastes like banana with a vanilla flavour and a pineapple texture. Remove outer shell of mature seed and boil. Always remove gummy latex centre.

 

Chop Suey Greens

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Chop Suey Greens (aka edible chrysanthemum; chrysanthemum greens)

Chrysanthemum coramarium

Origin: China and Asian countries

Plant: Sow seeds in Spring, Summer and Autumn

Harvest: after 30 days

A hardy annual that grows to 1m and prefers mild to slightly colder climates. Young leaves eaten raw or cooked give a distinctive Chinese flavour. Use the petals in salad, or as a refreshing tea. Add the leaves at the last minute, to avoid overcooking.

 

Chilacayote

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Chilacayote (aka Alacyote, Zambo, Malabar gourd, Fig-leaved gourd)

Cucurbita ficifolia

Origin: Highlands – wet, cool South America

Plant: March – Sept

Harvest: July – Dec

Pick young squash before the seeds form, slice or grate into stir-fries or salads. Mature squash keep well and can be baked whole or halved. The seed can be eaten raw or roasted (high in oleic acid). Chilacyote are high in pectin for jam making. Flowers, stems and tips are also edible.

 

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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.