Episode: #3 16/09/2006
Presenter: Neville Passmore

The inspiration for the Garden Gurus book Delish was the flavour health

If you live in the tropics, the strawberry is the most exotic fruit you will find and at the other end, if you live n the mountains, then the mango is the king of exotic fruits. There is an enormous array of different exotic fruits you can grow in the back garden.

By providing a climate shelter for a mango tree you can grow the fabulous exotic fruit in a Mediterranean climate, along way from the tropics.

Avocado trees are large, shady beauties capable of producing hundreds of fruit per year in a home garden. Red grape fruit often don?t colour well in southern parts but the Ruby Star is an exception and a great producer.

The Brazilian Tree Grape produces great big black fruits right down on the truck and is actually related to the Australian Lilly Pily. It also makes a fabulous hedge.

When you are buying passionfruit it pays to go for the grafted varieties if you live in cool areas and the Panama Red is an absolute beauty because it crops right through the winter months.

Loquat is the earliest of the spring fruits and it is born on an ornamental tree. You often see the cut foliage in floral displays.

Another lovely exotic is the Feijoa or Pineapple Guava. It has beautiful red and white flowers as well as an exotic and delicious Greek fruit. You can grow them brilliantly in a pot and it is the most cold tolerant of all the exotic varieties.

Timing is of the essence and the best season to plant all of the exotics is in spring, as early as you can get your hands on the plants.

For extra guidance on how to grow them and take them to the table then have a look at the new Delish book, available at Dymocks Book stores or online at our on-line Shop.

Dymocks Book Stores
http://www.dymocks.com.au