Meghan’s way: Five easy edibles to grow at home (including flowers)

Love it or loathe it, when the duchess formerly known as Meghan Markle recently launched her show With Love, Meghan, it certainly caused a stir. Among the many ‘tips and tricks’ she shared with her audience, she extolled the virtues of using fresh ingredients, including vegetables and edible flowers sourced directly from the garden.

As we officially move into autumn, it’s the perfect time of year to consider planting and growing your own food at home. Steve Webb, the director of Edible Kids Gardens, says even those new to gardening can enjoy success at this time of year, when the soil is warm but temperatures are starting to cool.

“In summer, everything goes to seed because it’s too hot, so autumn is a good time for planting,” he says.

The Duchess of Sussex foraging for food in her Montecito garden on Netflix show With Love, Meghan.Credit: Netflix

It sounds obvious but choose plants you enjoy eating, not just those that are recommended at the nursery because they’re easy to grow. Webb says if you’re involving young children (who can forget Meghan’s party bags with child-size garden tools from episode two?) go for plants with large seeds that are easier for them to handle, as well as species that have short harvest times for a little instant gratification. For the ultimate in lazy gardening, Webb says let your crops run to seed.

“It is the full loop of gardening. Let some of the plants go to seed and you get the joy of watching things flower. The seeds will materialise in your garden [the following year] and you don’t have to think about it.”

Here are five easy edibles to plant in autumn:

Alpine strawberries
Where Webb lives in the Southern Highlands, these flavoursome fruits are a fan favourite with the kids. They do prefer a cooler climate but enjoy well-drained soil and full sun. Anyone who has experienced the invasive nature of these little red fruits will be pleased to hear that this variety grows in clumps, rather than runners. They’re also high in vitamins A, B and C, as well as a number of minerals including potassium, iron and manganese. Not quite a fruit rainbow, but it’s a start.

Snow peas
Keen for your own fresh vegetable grazing table? Snow peas can be grown from seed from March to September, although seedlings are easy to find at nurseries as well. They will need supporting with lightweight stakes while they grow, with harvest in six to 10 weeks. Pick pods when they are young and tender, which is when they are at their sweetest. Webb says the advantage of snow peas, runner beans and pea varieties is that you can continue to harvest as the plant grows. They’re also a perennial favourite with children. Did someone say crudite?

Nasturtiums
A favourite of the Duchess of Sussex, the humble nasturtium is perfect for decorating cakes and salads – and making pretty patterns on pieces of bread. In truth, these cheerful flowers in colourful shades of yellow, cream, orange and red could not be easier to grow. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, make little trenches and liberally scatter seeds. Water them in, and in eight weeks or so you’ll have your own crop with very little effort. Add the leaves and flowers for a peppery touch to leafy salads. They will even self-seed the following year. It couldn’t be simpler.

Nasturtiums are beautiful and delicious, and incredibly easy to grow.Credit: Mark Garnham

Radishes
If, like Meghan, you love to add a little colour to the table, radishes are the speedsters of the vegetable world. Choose a sunny spot for planting seeds and you should be ready to start harvesting in three to five weeks. Webb says it can be tricky to know when it is the right time to pick root crops but look for the telltale red tops breaking the surface of the soil. You don’t want to leave them in the ground too long, though – they become fibrous and lose their sweetness. Radishes are meant to have a variety of health benefits, from supporting immune function to good heart health.

Herbs
If there is one thing Meghan loves using in her cooking, it’s fresh herbs. While it’s too late for basil, which traditionally grows over summer, Webb says it’s a great time of year for parsley and coriander. The latter has a tendency to bolt to flowering in the warmer months but is perfect for growing on balconies and even windowsills when the temperature drops.

Flat leaf parsley grows well in a sunny position and benefits from regular watering.Credit:

Plant and grow herbs that crop up regularly in your recipes and pick as you go. Webb points out that the price of fresh herbs at the supermarket is reason enough to grow your own. We’re confident Meghan would approve.

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