A mini pineapple plantation has grown in Queens Gardens to kick-off the Year of Horticulture.

Queens Gardens in Brisbane CBD has now got a sweet addition to its beautiful plants.

A mini pineapple plantation has popped in! The Gardens were once the site of the State’s very first ever pineapple plot back in 1838 and today are the site of the official launch of the Year of Horticulture.

Why pineapples you might ask? Well, because the pineapple is the first commodity to be highlighted as part of a year-long awareness campaign of the state's 104 various fruit, vegetable, and nut crops.

Pineapples have been chosen to be the star of the kick-off event to raise awareness of the impact that last year’s weather events had on growers. The temperatures and amount of rainfall caused most plants in South East Queensland to flower all at the same time which means that growers are picking their entire crop right now instead of doing it throughout the year.

It is paramount to raise awareness within the community that an incredible number of pineapples are now available on the market but that they might have to wait an entire year for them to flower again and to be able to eat this delicious fruit.

The Year of Horticulture is organised by peak industry body, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers T/A Growcom under their new advocacy arm, Horticulture Queensland and it will be a year of events to celebrate all things horticulture, educate the community and advocate for this amazing industry.

Source: Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) ‘Horticulture Year’ Media Release.