09 Mar The Nutopia Guide to Feijoas: Everything You Need to Know About This Autumn Super fruit!

It’s that time of year—feijoa season! If you’re lucky enough to have a feijoa tree (or ten), you’re about to be drowning in fruit. But when’s the perfect time to pick them? How do you get bigger, juicier feijoas next season? And what’s the deal with the skins—should we be eating them? Let’s break it all down, Nutopia style.

When Are Feijoas Ripe & Ready to Pick?

Feijoas don’t ripen on the tree like apples or pears—you’ll know they’re ready when they fall to the ground. That’s right, feijoas pick themselves! You just have to be there to collect them before the birds and bugs do.

👉 Best harvesting window: March to June
👉 Pro tip: If you want to pick them early, give the fruit a gentle twist—if it comes off easily, it’s good to go.

🌱 How to Feed Your Feijoa Tree for Maximum Fruit

Feijoas are low-maintenance, but if you want loads of sweet, juicy fruit, you’ve got to feed them right.

✅ Best time to feed: Late winter (before flowering) & early summer (after fruiting)
✅ What to use:

Compost & well-rotted manure – Feijoas love rich, organic soil
Seaweed or fish-based liquid feed – Boosts flowering & fruit set
Wood ash – Adds potassium for bigger, sweeter fruit
👉 Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers—you’ll get lots of leaves, but not much fruit.

🔥 Feijoa Skins—Superfood or Just for the Compost?

Most people scoop out the flesh and chuck the skins, but that’s where the real nutrition is hiding! Feijoa skins contain 3x more antioxidants than the flesh and have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

🥤 How to use the skins:

Feijoa tea – Dry the skins and steep them in hot water
Fermented feijoa soda – Blend skins with water, sugar & let it ferment
Smoothies – Add whole feijoas (skins included) for a nutrient boost
Dehydrate & powder – Sprinkle over yogurt or muesli
👉 If you find the skins too bitter, try blending them with honey, ginger, or citrus to balance the flavor.

🍬 Sugar Content—Are Feijoas Actually Healthy?

Feijoas taste sweet, but they’re surprisingly low in sugar compared to most fruits.

100g of feijoa = ~8g of natural sugar
Compare that to:
Bananas (~12g sugar)
Apples (~10g sugar)
Grapes (~16g sugar)
🔹 Bonus: Feijoas are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and gut-friendly prebiotics, making them a great immune booster during autumn and winter.

🌳 Do Feijoas Like Garden Companions?

Yes! Feijoas love company and will produce way more fruit when planted near another variety for cross-pollination.

💚 Best companion plants:

Borage & lavender – Attracts pollinators
Comfrey – Builds rich soil & keeps moisture in
Garlic & chives – Natural pest deterrents
👉 Pro tip: Plant at least two feijoa trees (different varieties) for maximum fruit production.

✂️ When & How to Prune a Feijoa Tree

Feijoas don’t need much pruning, but a good trim will improve airflow and fruit quality.

✅ Best time to prune: Late autumn (after fruiting) or early spring
✅ What to prune:

Remove dead or crossing branches to let in sunlight
Thin out the center for better air circulation
Keep them at 2-3m high for easy harvesting
👉 If you want a feijoa hedge, prune lightly to shape after fruiting but don’t go overboard or you’ll lose next year’s flowers.

🏆 Best Feijoa Varieties for Different Needs

Want sweeter, juicier fruit? → Go for Apollo or Kaiteri
Need a strong hedge? → Choose Gemini or Unique
Short on space? → Try Takaka (compact & great for pots)
Want massive fruit? → Mammoth lives up to its name!

⏳ How Long Does Feijoa Season Last?

You can stretch your feijoa season by planting early, mid, and late fruiting varieties.

🌿 Early-season (March-April): Unique, Kaiteri
🌿 Mid-season (April-May): Apollo, Gemini
🌿 Late-season (May-June): Triumph, Mammoth

👉 Pro tip: Store feijoas in the fridge to slow ripening, or freeze the pulp for smoothies, baking & sauces.

Final Thoughts – Feijoas Are an Autumn Essential!

Feijoas are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow, packed with nutrients, and loaded with flavor. Whether you’re eating them fresh, blending them whole, or making feijoa-infused drinks, there’s no reason to let any of that green gold go to waste!

💬 **Got a favorite feijoa recipe or growing tip? Drop it in the comments!**👇

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