October is a month of energy in the Edible Forest. Blossoms are beginning to appear, pollinators are busy, and new plants are finding their place in the system. Each week brings something fresh to see, taste, and learn.

What’s happening now in the Forest:

Crab apple – A spectacular sight in flower, crab apple trees are also workhorses in the Forest. Their tart fruit is used for jams and jellies, they attract birds, and the blossom draws in vital pollinators.

Gotu Kola – Growing as a living ‘green mulch’, Gotu Kola suppresses weeds while offering benefits as both food and medicine. Traditionally used to boost collagen and reduce inflammation, it’s also enjoyed as a calming tea. Pots are ready in the nursery if you’d like to take one home.

Native Oregano (Prostanthera ovalifolia) – Native to south-east Australia, this aromatic herb has long been valued for treating headaches and colds. In the kitchen, it adds fragrance to salads, sauces, and meat dishes, or can be brewed into a herbal tisane.

Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) – With its deep purple, cocoa-pod like fruits and a light chocolate scent, this climbing plant brings interest as well as edibility. In traditional Chinese medicine, dried stems have been used to treat urinary tract infections.

Juneberry (Amelanchier arborea) – Known as the ‘Sugar Plum’, this North American species will fruit here in December, turning from pink to deep purple with a sweet, bubblegum flavour.                                                                                                                                                                      `

Planting for the Future: The Wildlife Corridor

This month we are also expanding the wildlife corridor. New plantings will help connect habitats, offering food and shelter for birds, bees, and other beneficial species. It’s part of our long-term vision for a resilient landscape where the Forest doesn’t stand alone, but works as part of the wider ecosystem at Yarra Valley Estate.

Join a Design Tour

For those who’d like to go deeper, our Design Tour explores how the Forest was created and why each layer matters. From groundcovers to climbers, you’ll see how plants support each other and take away ideas to use at home.