Growing Feijoa

Feijoas are native to South America, however they have become increasingly popular in Australian and New Zealand gardens. These evergreen shrubs or small trees will grow to around three metres tall and around one and a half metres wide. Even though they are actually tolerant of poor quality soil, we have enriched our raised beds with manure for greater success.

I love the attractive silvery green foliage and the stunning red and white flowers. These flowers are a real magnet for bees bringing both contrasting beauty and of course wonderful fruit. In the Ramesa Nursery Picnic Gardens we have two varieties planted, “Mammoth” with potentially large fruit and the “Duffy” variety. Soon we’ll have three types; with the intention of planting “White Goose”. We have planted “Duffy” to boost the pollination and yield of our two “Mammoth” trees. For those with limited space, one “Mammoth” tree can be planted as it’s semi self-fertile producing some fruit on its own.

While seedlings can take three to five years to set fruit, the grafted varieties will reward you with a harvest sooner in approximately two years. To care of your Feijoa just choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. If you can add compost when planting that will certainly give your tree a great start and then mulch well to conserve the moisture and save water. We’ve used mulching hay here at Ramesa Farm as it’s what we have available.

After ripening in late autumn and early winter, Feijoas will usually drop their fruit when they’re ready with the taste of soft pineapple and guava. It seems most people seem to enjoy the fruit fresh; simply scooped with a spoon. Perhaps you could get a little creative too by making feijoa jam, chutney, cakes or smoothies.

These wonderful trees make good hedges or windbreaks; being tough and evergreen. Just remember that a mixture of varieties including seedings, will ensure you are able to enjoy a bountiful harvest. The showy, edible flowers attract the bees and they can be easily grown in a Pot too. In my opinion, Feijoa are an ideal choice for our South Burnett gardens with their beautiful flowers, sweet fruit and tolerance to frost.