Berries Down Under

Growing berries in Australia is not as simple as following a planting calendar written for somewhere else.

A blueberry that is perfectly happy in Tasmania may struggle in a hot Queensland backyard. Raspberries have their own ideas about summer. Strawberries seem determined to feed every bird in the neighbourhood. And just when the harvest finally arrives, there is the very important question of what to do with all those berries before they turn to mush in the fridge.

Berries Down Under brings the whole process together in one practical Australian guide.

From strawberries, blueberries and raspberries to currants, gooseberries, mulberries, bramble berries, Cape gooseberries and native Australian fruits, Tessa Waverley explains how to choose berries that actually suit your climate, give them what they need, recognise when they are ready to pick, and make good use of every harvest.

Inside you'll learn how to:

• Choose berries for cool, temperate, inland, subtropical and tropical Australian conditions
• Know when to plant, prune, feed, water and harvest
• Grow berries successfully in garden beds, raised beds and containers
• Understand soil, drainage, pH and chill requirements without needing a horticulture degree
• Deal with birds, fruit fly, heat, pests and common berry-growing problems
• Tell the difference between fruit that needs another day and fruit that needs picking right now
• Freeze, dry, preserve and safely bottle suitable berries
• Turn your harvest into breakfasts, snacks, sauces, desserts, drinks, jams and everyday family favourites
• Explore Australian native berry and bush-food options
• Make use of a bumper crop instead of watching half of it disappear into the compost

And because growing the berries is only half the fun, the book includes 60 recipes ranging from simple breakfasts and lunchbox snacks to puddings, slices, cheesecakes, sauces, preserves and berry-filled desserts worth saving room for.

This is not a book written for an imaginary perfect garden.

It is for Australian backyards, balconies, hot summers, unexpected weather, hungry birds, overflowing berry bowls and the gardener who would really like to know what to do next.

Grow them. Pick them. Preserve them. Cook them. Then try not to eat half the harvest while standing in the garden.