Edible Gardening
There is an enormous amount of information on this subject already online, so for now this page will mostly help people in Queensland or other tropical/subtropical climates get started with some selected links that they might find useful for food production in backyards, acreages or hobby farms.
Some of the websites linked to below (and elsewhere on the site) might be aimed at commercial farmers, but have been included here because they contain potenially useful background information. If you're interested in commercial farming, contact your local agriculture department, as well as organic farming groups in your region if you want to go down that route. Links for some of the larger organisations provided below. Check their websites for branches.
Furthermore, be aware that regulations concerning what species, varieties or breeds can be grown/kept, what materials can be used and how, land management practices etc, may depend on your region and situation. Please check with relevant authorities if in doubt.
Australian Organisations
Some of these may have factsheets and other information on their websites. Some groups, if you chose to join, may offer locallly relevant information via meetings, newsletters etc. If you live in Qld, see also the Events Diary because some groups may have shows, open dyas, workshops etc events listed there Organic farming Assorted articles plus "Organic News" newsletter. NSW Department of Primary Industries
OFA The Organic Federation of Australia
Edible Plants and Gardening (various)
Many of these site have extensive archives of information, so take the time to explore. As with any website, try the search facility (if one is provided) to look for a specific topic.
NewCROP tm Online Resource by Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Purdue University USA
ECHO An organisation helping people in developing countries overcome hunger. Lots of information on crops and techniques for difficult conditions at their website
Vegetables
If you live in a hot climate, appropriate information about vegetable growing can be hard to find, especially if you have to live with watering restrictions as well. More about vegetables with an emphasis on tropical and subtropical climates here: Queensland Gardening Pages - Vegetables
There's also extensive material about the most commercially important vegetable crops online (use your favourite search engine) as well as in books and magazines.
The websites of your own state/national department of agriculture and/or university extension service may have information of particular relevance to your region.
Some of the sites in the "general" category above may also discuss vegetable growing.
Fruits and Nuts
More links about fruit and nuts of particular relevance to residents of hot climates here: Queensland Gardening Pages - Fruit and Nuts
If you live in temperate to cool climates, there's extensive information on fruit and nuts crops online via search engines plus books and magazines. As per vegetables, be sure to check the resources listed at the top of the page as well as the websites of your own state/national department of agriculture and/or university extension service.
Herbs
Culinary herbs covered in more detail here: Queensland Gardening Pages - Herbs. Companion Planting is included on the Pests and Diseases page.
Plants for nitrogen fixation and other soil improvement
See also the section on nitrogen on the Plant Nutrition page for more on fixation
Other useful plants, Multipurpose plants
Tropical Palms Non-wood forest products 10, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Discusses uses of various palm products around the world
Soils - other
Small "livestock"
The emphaisis here will be unusual or hard-to-find information because you're sure to find masses of information about chickens and other poultry via your favourite search engine. Also check the websites of your own state/national department of agriculture and/or university extension service for information relevant to your area.
Edible Insects, "more than you ever wanted to know about eating bugs" (Not an Australian site, but food for thought!)
Agriculture, general
More to come in future updates...
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