With the pandemic still causing major issues in many parts of the world, people are increasingly looking into ways in which they can keep their bodies as healthy as possible in order to fight off the virus should it happen to hit. One way to do this is by consuming as many naturally anti-viral foods as possible, with many of these being fruits. Here are some of our favourites, all of which also happen to be extremely easy to grow at home:
Mangoes
Mangoes are packed with bioactive compounds that not only exude anti-viral effects, but also offer up antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. As a result, it’s hardly surprising that more and more people have been trying to incorporate mangoes into their diet.
Of course, the fresher a fruit is, the greater the number of its bioactive compounds. So, to enjoy mangoes at their peak of freshness, consider planting a mango tree. They don’t ask for much and their size is variable – plant one in the ground if you’d like a large feature tree, or place one into a large GRC pot for a smaller version.
Citrus Fruits
It’s no secret that oranges are a great source of vitamin C – a nutrient that helps people to fight colds and other viruses. Well, this is a feature shared by just about all citrus fruits. Not only are they rich in vitamin C, but they also help to cleanse and detox the body, ridding it of any germs and impurities.
While some citrus fruits need consistent warmth to grow, there are others that are much more cold-hardier. One of these is the Native Australian Finger Lime, which produces small citrus fruits that are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. The Tahitian Lime Tree is another delicious and easy-to-grow option.
Olives
Research shows that olives have extremely powerful antiviral effects, making them a must-have in every garden. Granted, some don’t like the taste of olives, but, for a little more effort, you could consider producing your own olive oil, which will also be packed with bioactive compounds.
For this, you’ll need multiple olive trees. Fortunately, these trees don’t require much maintenance and do well when grown in a group. They’re also easy to grow in pots. Unlike many fruit trees that struggle to fruit when planted in a pot, olive trees are different – the older they are, the bigger your harvests will be.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates are another fruit with potent antiviral properties, as well as antibacterial effects. Even better, they’re absolutely delicious, making them a worthwhile addition to any diet.
Since pomegranate trees hail from the Mediterranean, they do best when given cool winters and hot summers, which perfectly suits the Australian climate. If you don’t have enough space in your garden for a full-sized pomegranate tree, consider growing a dwarf variety in a pot.
Summary
While you could easily stock up on fruits from your local supermarket, nothing quite beats the taste, as well as the high nutrient content, of homegrown alternatives. All of the trees that we’ve mentioned are so easy to grow that even a complete beginner shouldn’t have any issues. Even better, we sell them all at our nursery, so get in touch if you’d like some more information!