Among the Permaculture Principles is “Obtain a Yield.” Yields can come in many forms, but probably the most obvious is abundant, healthy food.

While we enjoy yields throughout the year, autumn brings the most abundance. This includes the butternut squash that will help make many hearty winter meals.

It’s also great to make lots of basil pesto to freeze.

This is the first year we’ve had a heavy crop of olives, although they are not harvested until winter.

Another winter crop are guavas, and it looks like we’ll have plenty.

Another first for us includes a good solid pear crop rather than a few per tree. I pretty much bought every single variety I could find to ensure the correct cross-pollination. I think we have close to 10 different pears at this point as well as a quince.

Here are some Nashi pears on a young tree.

Yet another first – passion fruits! My daughter will be excited.

Among our staples are these two peach varieties: Golden Queen and Sanguine (aka “Black Boy”)

Grapes are another staple with hundreds of kilos hanging off the vines.

Same goes for avocados.

We had an amazing plum crop with much of it in jars and the freezer at the moment. The fridge is stocked with goats milk ready for yet another batch of halloumi.

The hens are laying well as we approach the equinox.

And apples…yup be got apples! More than I can count but not more than the pigs can eat!

Kia Kaha!

Estwing