Corn Vitamins A + C, folate, potassium, iron, magnesium, fibre, protien Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: March to November HOW TO SOW Depth: 2 to 3 cm Plant Spacing: 8 to 12 cm apart Seedlings will show: 1 to 2 weeks Time until harvest: 20 days after silks appear Height of mature plants: 2 metres Row spacing: at least 50cm apart Hand water every day for 6 days Plant at least six corn plants together in a block so that they will cross pollinate in the wind If the plant gets sucker roots at the base of the stem, place mulch or straw around the stem to encourage more fruit. Fertilise with liquid organic fertiliser every couple of months Watch out for insects. Harvest corn when the tassle on the end of the corn is brown. Cut the corn husk at the base where it joins stem of the plant. Clean all the leaves and strings from the corn Whole or chopped in 5cm pieces: steam for 15 minutes or boil in water for 10 minutes - eat with butter and black pepper. OR Hold the corn upright and slice all the corn kernels off the corn husk with a sharp knife. Add the corn kernels to your pasta sauce, or add them raw to a salad.
Carrots Vitamin A.C, K, and Minerals Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season- March-July HOW TO SOW : direct sow into well-prepared bed Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 50-60cms apart Seedlings will show: 7-10 days Time until harvest: 14-16 weeks Height of mature plants: tops 15cm Row spacing: 3-5 cms apart organic matter and distribute evenly as uneven carrots can be misshapen and fertilise with Blood and Mix carrot seed with sand as it is very fine Sow rows and water gently cover with vermiculite or seed raising mix /seedlings will go brown and dry off without water Use a good general purpose based fertiliser with trace elements at monthly intervals Use fresh carrot seeds each season When seedlings are 5cms high thin them out so that they are 2-3 cms apart. When seedlings are 15cms high thin to 5cms apart When thinning the little roots will be big enough to eat Carrots can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks Take green tops off as soon as you harvest Carrots can be washed, chopped, and blanched for five minutes and frozen for future use. Can be used fresh in salads Can be boiled and eaten with a little salt and pepper Can be baked in the oven with a little honey, olive oil and garlic Can make a salad with vinegar
Chillies and Capsicums Vitamin A, C, K, B6, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Dietary Fibre, Iron and magnesium Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: All Year for chillies, dry season for capsicums HOW TO SOW: plant out in raising mix before planting out into beds. Keep in the shade house until seedling emerge Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 30-40cms apart Seedlings will show: 10-14 days Time until harvest: 8-16 weeks Height of mature plants: 30cm 1m Row spacing: 50-60 cms apart Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Fertilise after first flowers appear Liquid feed with a low nitrogen based fertiliser every 2 weeks Fertilise with liquid organic fertiliser every couple of months Watch out for insects. Pick when the colour starts to change or leave it until they are fat Great in chilli crab and fish baked whole in fire Great for use in pasta sauces and stir fry Sliced with fresh herbs makes a lovely frittata Can pickle it in vinegar and keep it for months Can dry it and grind it into a powder PESTS AND DISEASES AND TREATMENT Insects on young shoots : Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves : Mites - Natrasoap Split Fruit Cause: Heavy rain after dry Solution: Regular watering Tiny white insect on underside of leaves White fly Pest oil
Asian Greens bok choy, choy sum, tatsoi, mizuna, pak choy, Chinese broccoli, Chinese cabbage, tatsoi Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Folate Where to plant: Full Sun or Part Shade When to plant: March to August HOW TO SOW : direct into well-prepared bed or in seed raising trays Depth: 12mm Plant Spacing: 15-30cms apart Seedlings will show: 10-14 days Time until harvest: 8-10 weeks Height of mature plants: varies to 50cms Row spacing: 30 40 cms apart Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Water daily Liquid fertilise with a nitrogen based fertiliser fortnightly Best grown in the cooler weather during the dry season Pick when base is white and leaves are still small as they are sweeter Do succession planting so a continual crop is produced Great in stir fries and salads Best eaten fresh in fruit salad or on their own PETS AND DISEASES AND TREATMENT Black insects on leaves aphids Natrasoap Large holes in leaves caterpillars Success
Rockmelon & Watermelon Vitamin A, C and Potassium - Good for weight loss Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season for rockmelon All Year round for watermelon HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed or mounds Depth: 20mm Plant Spacing: 70cms apart Seedlings will show: 6-10 days Time until harvest: 14-16 weeks Height of mature plants: groundcover/climber Row spacing: 150 cms apart Best grown close together Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Pick off the male flowers in the morning to tickle the female flowers If the plant gets sucker roots at the base of the stem, place mulch or straw around the stem to encourage more fruit. Fertilise with liquid organic fertiliser every couple of months Watch out for insects. Pick Rockmelons when stem pulls away easily from the fruit Pick watermelons when the underside turns yellow and stem starts to shrivel Best eaten fresh in fruit salad or on their own Large holes in leaves grasshoppers Eco Neem White powdery covering on leaves powdery mildew Eco Rose Large holes in fruit crows put up fishing line and hand CD s above beds
Chinese Cabbage Iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium Where to plant: Full Sun or Part Shade When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 30-40cm apart Seedlings will show: 6-10 days Time until harvest: 8-10 weeks Height of mature plants: varies to 30cms Row spacing: 30-40 cms apart Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Liquid feed with a high nitrogen based fertiliser every 2 weeks Fertilise with liquid organic fertiliser every couple of months Watch out for insects. Pick entire cabbage Great in a stir fry Great in Asian flavoured salads with crunchy noodles on top Chinese Cabbage last in the refrigerator for about a week Best used in stir fry for Asian dishes Leaves can be sliced and used as a delicious last minute addition to two-minute soup noodles Can be chopped up and placed into an egg mixture and baked for a delicious frittata
Peanuts Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron and dietary fibre Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Wet Season HOW TO SOW: sow raw peanuts (from health food store) direct into soil Depth: 50 mm Plant Spacing: 10-15cms apart Row spacing: at least 50cm apart Seedlings will show: 3 days Time until harvest: 4-5 months Height of mature plants: plant is 30-40cms and foliage turns yellow - Best grown in raised beds Cover each seed with soil Mulch Leave in during over the wet season Do not give additional fertiliser during growing Water regularly during the growing season Do not eat raw peanuts straight from the ground, they could contain a toxic fungus Wait until plant has turned yellow before digging up peanuts Dig over with a garden fork Leave to dry in the for a few days after harvest, or put in cool oven for 30 minutes Mature peanuts will store in a cool dry location for many months When the pods are dry strip from the plant and store in brown bags
Choko Vitamin C and Dietary Fibre Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season May - June HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed or seedlings Depth: 50-75mm Plant Spacing: 100 cms apart Seedlings will show: 18-20 weeks Time until harvest: 20 days after silks appear Height of mature plants: groundcover/climber Row spacing: Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Grow on fence or trellis Grows from a single sprouted fruit/keep indoors until sprouted Plant choko into moist soil with shoot and top of fruit above soil level Fertilise after first fruit is set Liquid feed with a fertiliser for citrus every 4-6 weeks Chokos can be grown on fence or trellis will need ties or wire to support Pick when fruit is light green and 5-7cms long and lime green Can be boiled or stuffed and baked Stir Fry Pickles Not suitable for freezing Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap
Zucchini Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron and Dietary Fibre Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season April May June HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed or seedlings Depth: 20mm Plant Spacing: 70 cms apart Seedlings will show: 6-10 days Time until harvest: 6-8 weeks Height of mature plants: groundcover/climber Row spacing:70 cms apart Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Pick when fruit is about 20cm because they get woody when larger Fertilise after first fruit is set Zucchinis Can be grown on fence or trellis will need ties or wire to support Pick off the male flowers in the morning to tickle the female flowers Pick when fruit green and firm when about 15-20cms long to encourage greater yield Can be boiled or stuffed and baked Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap White powder on leaves powdery mildew Eco Rose
Spinach Niacin, Zinc, Vitamin A and Calcium Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season March-July HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed Depth: 12mm Plant Spacing: 30-40 cms apart Seedlings will show: 14-21 days Time until harvest: 8-10 weeks Height of mature plants: up to 35cms Row spacing: 30-40 cms apart Press clumps of seeds together into the ground at 30-40cm intervals Thin seedlings leaving the strongest Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch or vermiculite Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Give a dressing of blood and bone every 4 weeks Pick outside leaves as with silver beet Can be boiled or stir fried or used in an omelette or baby leaves eaten raw in salad Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap
Silver Beet Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Thiamin, Folate and Zinc. Also high in Sodium. Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed or seedlings Depth: 12mm Plant Spacing: 30-40 cms apart Seedlings will show: 10-14 days Time until harvest: 8-12 weeks Height of mature plants: 45cms Row spacing: 30-40 cms apart Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch or vermiculite Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Give a dressing of blood and Bone every month Pick when leaves are shiny and about 45 cms tall Can be boiled or stir fried or used in an omelette Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap Large holes in leaves caterpillars Success
Tomatoes Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Vitamin A, Folate, Vitamin K, Vitamin E Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: raise seedlings in seed raising mix Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 50-60cms apart Seedlings will show: 10-14 days Time until harvest: 12-16 weeks Height of mature plants: varies to 150cms Row spacing: 20-30 cms apart Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch The small cherry and grape tomatoes do much better in hot climates and are less likely to be eaten by birds and caterpillars Fertilise after first fruit is set Liquid feed with blood and bone with trace elements every 3 weeks Encourage native bees to help with pollination Pick outer when fruit is red (except for green varieties) Can be used in salads Great for use in pasta sauces Sliced with fresh basil leaves and olive oil dressing Great on toast with Avocado Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap Split Fruit Cause: Heavy rain after dry Solution - Regular watering
Squash Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed or seedlings Depth: 12mm Plant Spacing: 40-50cms apart Row spacing: 100 cms apart Time until harvest: 8-12 weeks Height of mature plants: groundcover/climber Seedlings will show: 6-10 days Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Fertilise after first fruit is set Liquid feed with a fertiliser every 2 weeks for the first 4 weeks Baby Squash Can be grown on fence or trellis will need ties or wire to support Pick when fruit is yellow or green and firm when about 5-10cms in diameter Can be boiled or stuffed and baked Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap
Sweet Potato Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron and dietary fibre Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Wet Season HOW TO SOW Depth: 6-10cm Plant Spacing: 40-50cms apart Row spacing: 1M apart Time until harvest:5 6 months Height of mature plants: groundcover/climber Seedlings will show: Bone prior to planting Lift Vines from time to time to prevent rooting at the nodes Do not give additional fertiliser during growing, fertilise the ground before planting out Watch out for insects. Wait until vine has turned yellow before digging up tubers Mature tubers have firm skin when cut Leave to dry in the sun for a few days after harvest. Mature fruit will store in a cool dry location for many months/inspect stored pumpkins regularly for rot, rats and mice Can be used baked or used in soups Great sliced and cooked on the BBQ Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap Split Fruit Cause: Heavy rain after dry Solution - Regular watering
Rosella- Hibiscus Sabdariffa High in anti oxidants with very high levels of two of the most active anthocyanins Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 1 metre apart Seedlings will show: 10-14 days Time until harvest: 14-16 weeks Height of mature plants: 2 metres Row spacing: allow one plant per square metre Raise seedlings from seed in seed raising mix before planting out into beds. Keep in the shade house until seedlings emerge. Water regularly Save seeds for next season crop Young leaves are delicious raw, just like a sweet & sour lolly Boil up young fruit in sugar and water to make a syrup
Radish There are many different types of radish including short round red ones and long white ones which grow to about 15cms Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin K, Beta Carotene Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: All Year HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared bed Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 3-5cms apart Seedlings will show: 5-8 days Time until harvest: 6-8 weeks Height of mature plants: leaves about 10cms Row spacing: 10-15cms apart Cover seeds with compost or vermiculite and water gently Thin seedlings to 3-5 cms apart when they have grown their second leaf Water regularly Liquid feed every 2 weeks Start picking roots early as they tend to get old and tough quite quickly Eat raw in salads Radish lasts well in the refrigerator for about a week
Pumpkin Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron and dietary fibre Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared beds or mounds Depth: 12mm Plant Spacing: 40-50cms apart Seedlings will show: 6-10 days Time until harvest: 8-12 weeks Height of mature plants: groundcover/climber Row spacing: 1m apart Press 4-5 seeds together into the ground at 40-50cm intervals Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Fertilise after first fruit is set Liquid feed twice for the first 3 weeks Where stems touch the ground and form roots, hill them up with hay and blood and bone Smaller varieties can be grown on fence or trellis will need ties or wire to support Pick male flowers in the morning and tickle the female flowers to get fruit set Pick when the vine dies and fruit stalk is dry and brittle Mature fruit will store in a cool dry location for many months/ inspect stored pumpkins regularly for rot, rats and mice Can be used baked or used in soups Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap Split Fruit Cause: Heavy rain after dry Solution - Regular watering
Okra Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron and Dietary Fibre Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared beds or seedlings Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: sow seed in pots Make successive sowings as required Seedlings will show: 6-10 days Time until harvest: 4-6 weeks Height of mature plants: 90cm tall Row spacing: 50-60cms apart Bone prior to planting Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Fertilise after first fruit is set Pick when fruit 4-5 days after the flowers have opened. They become tough if left on the bush and the plant stops flowering. Use in soups and stews Great in curries or fried whole with chili Does not keep for very long in refrigerator Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap
Lettuce Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: in seed raising trays Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 3-5cms apart Seedlings will show: 6-7 days Time until harvest: 6-12 weeks Height of mature plants: leaves about 10-15cms Row spacing: 20-30cms apart Mix seed with sand as it is very fine Thin out plants leaving only the strongest Liquid feed with a high nitrogen based fertiliser every 2 weeks for 5 weeks Watch out for insects. Pick when hearts are formed Eat raw in salads Lettuce lasts in the refrigerator for about a week Best used as a base for salad Leaves can be sliced and used as a delicious last minute addition to two-minute soup noodles Crisp lettuce cups can be filled with stir fired minced pork and vegetables and topped with a little sweet chilli sauce
Garden Peas/ Snow Peas/ Sugar Snap peas Vitamin A.C, Calcium and Iron Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season- March-July HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared beds Depth: 2.5cm Plant Spacing: 50-60cms apart Seedlings will show: 7-10 days Time until harvest: 14-16 weeks Height of mature plants: varies to 2m Row spacing: 3-5 cms apart Do not fertilise Sprinkle lime into the trench 1 week before planting Ensure peas have something to climb onto, a cyclone fence is perfect for growing peas Water the seed in well and then do not water again until the first leaves emerge Pick peas every few days to prolong flowering and increase yield Peas can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks Garden peas can be shelled, blanched for one minute and frozen for future use Can be used in salads Can be boiled and eaten with a little salt and pepper Can be eaten cold in a salad Can be crushed with a little olive oil and garlic and spread on bread as a dip PESTS AND DISEASES AND TREATMENTS Caterpillars on young shoots: Treat with Dipel
Eggplant Low in Saturated Fat, Sodium, and Cholesterol High in Dietary Fiber, Folate, Potassium, Manganese, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: All Year HOW TO SOW: in seed raising trays Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 60-75 cms apart Row spacing: 60-75 cms apart Seedlings will show: 10-14 days Time until harvest: 14-16 weeks Height of mature plants: aprox 1-1.5 metre Fruit varies in length and shape Raise seedlings from seed in seed raising mix before planting out into beds. Keep in the shade house until seedlings emerge. Water regularly Apply bllod and bone every 3 weeks Need staking Should yield 15 fruits per plant Harvest fruit when the skin is shiny and purple Slice fruit and BBQ with a little olive oil and garlic Tasty supplement to stews with a tomato base Slice eggplant into 1cm wide rounds and use in a lasagne instead of using pasta
Cucumbers Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW: direct into well-prepared beds or seedlings Depth: 12mm Plant Spacing: 40-50cms apart Seedlings will show: 6-10 days Time until harvest: 8-12 weeks Height of mature plants: groundcover/climber Row spacing: 100 cms apart Press 4-5 seeds together into the ground at 40-50cm intervals Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Liquid fertilise every 2 weeks and then after first fruit is set Fertilise with blood and bone every 3 weeks Can be grown on fence or trellis will need ties or wire to support Pick at any length from 5-10cms up to 20cms Can be used in salads/best eaten raw Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap Split Fruit Cause: Heavy rain after dry Solution - Regular watering
Strawberries Vitamin C, Iron and Calcium and dietary fibre Where to plant: Afternoon shade When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 30cms apart Seedlings will show: 10-14 days Time until harvest: 10-12 weeks Height of mature plants: varies to 15 cms Row spacing: 20-30 cms apart Best grown from seedlings raised in shade house Sow rows and water gently cover with a light mulch Cover base of plant with a light mulch when the leaves appear Liquid feed with a high nitrogen based fertiliser every 2 weeks for the first 6 weeks, then apply blood and bone every month Pick outer when fruit is red Pick and Eat when fruit is clean and brightly coloured, avoid fruit with white or green areas Useful for making jam Insects on young shoots: Aphids - Natrasoap Leaves yellow/insects under leaves: Mites - Natrasoap
Broccoli Vitamin A, C, fibre & protein Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 40cms apart Seedlings will show: 6-10 days Time until harvest: 10 weeks Height of mature plants: 30-40 cms Row spacing: 40 cms apart Prepare bed with compost and organic matter with added blood and bone prior to planting out seedlings Transplant out seedlings when they are 4-5cm high Liquid fertilise when transplanted Use a fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in potassium to encourage heading Once the main head has been cut off the plant will continue to shoot smaller heads from side shoots Pick when the head is tight and florets close together Eat both the head, the leaves and the stems Pick early in the morning and keep refrigerated Use the stems of the leaves in stir fry Use the leaves in salad or soups Steam the heads and sprinkle almonds and white sauce Black or grey insects on leaves and head Aphids Natrasoap Large holes in leaves Caterpillars Success
Onions Vitamin C, Calcium Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: Dry Season HOW TO SOW Depth: 6mm Plant Spacing: 10cms apart Seedlings will show: 10-14 days Time until harvest: 25-30 weeks Height of mature plants: 20 cms Row spacing: 20 cms apart Prepare bed with compost and organic matter with added blood and bone prior to planting out seedlings Mix seed with vermiculite as it is very fine Thin out seedlings when they reach 10cm in height Water only twice a week or bulb will rot Use a fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in potassium to encourage a good bulb Use a general purpose fertiliser every 4 weeks Protect tops from snails Harvest when the tops of the onion start to dry of and wilt Dry onions in a cool dry place after removing all dirt Smaller onions can be used as spring onions Great in soups, sauces and roasted Keep onions in the fridge so avoid them going off Black or grey insects on leaves and head Aphids Natrasoap Silvery leaves and mottling onion Thrip Pyrethrum
Garlic Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: May - June HOW TO SOW Depth:5cm Plant Spacing: 10-12cms apart Clove will show: 3-4 weeks Time until harvest: 30-45 weeks Height of mature plants: 20 cms Row spacing: 30 cms apart Split up bulb into individual cloves and plant with the point upwards. Water only twice a week or bulb will rot Needs cooler nights to set bulbs Prepare the ground with dolomite lime before planting out Use a fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in potassium to encourage a good bulb Use a general purpose fertiliser every 4 weeks Protect tops from snails Harvest when the tops start to dry of and wilt Dry garlic in a cool dry place after removing all dirt Great in soups, sauces and roasted Can be kept in olive oil for long periods Excellent with chilli crab Black or grey insects on leaves and head Aphids Natrasoap
Passionfruit Where to plant: Full Sun When to plant: All year HOW TO SOW Depth:5cm Plant Spacing: 10 metres apart Time until harvest: 1-2 years Height of mature plant: 5m Width of mature plant: 5m Buy a grafted variety as a seedling either Panama Red or Panama Gold as they are better in the tropics. Passionfruit have an extensive root system and require lots of space to grow. Plant out with a good general purpose fertiliser and lots of cow poo. Make sure you mulch the planting area Passionfruit is short lived to 5 years Soak root zone every fortnight with Seasol to try and repel white ants Fertilise every month during the wet season as the nutrients will leach out during rain Prune vines by a third after fruiting Wait for fruit to be slightly wrinkled before picking Unripe fruit will eventually ripen if bought indoors Best eaten straight off the vine Plant wilting and stems hollow white ants no cure Fruit woody and empty virus no cure