May Day! May Day! Is it really May or Novembrrrrr? The May 2013 Update.

Well, it could be worse!

We don't have any snow...yet!--However, stranger things have happened.  Who could have guessed that our amazingly mild winter would linger into one of the Coldest Springs in history.  Not me.  We left just days after the release of the Pre-Ides of March Update for a few weeks in Costa Rica.  When we returned, I expected multiple new leaves and pups.  In reality, I had single leaves that had been heavily shredded or broken.  The cause, you ask?  Slow growth from cold temperatures and strong Spring turbulent winds.   I cannot imagine that this will last much longer than the next week or two.  Onward!  Thanks to Judy at www.bellewood-gardens.com for her awesome photo above of her thriving Basjoo Bananas......... in New Jersey!

Mucha Agua--In addition to the cold April, it seems as if it was really wet too.  Normal rainfall for April is 2.53 inches.  April 2013 has us at... 5.98 inches.  Seeing that I'm an optimist, this comes as good news because South Carolina is officially drought free.  Yip!  This is a good way to start off our growing season.

Farmers Marketssssss---Yes, thats marketsssss.  For now, I am appearing at The Mount Pleasant Farmer's Market on some Tuesdays and the Charleston Farmers Market(Marion Square) on Saturdays.  Come and get whats in season locally and whats in season in other parts of the globe(watermelons...yes) as well.  Shrimp season starts soon.

Moving Bananas--I saw this tweet the other day:

Of course it is fake(APtweets).   Nonetheless, if your banana plants languished last summer in their current location,  just dig them up and give them to a new home.  Soil/shade/sun/rain/magnetism, etc could be affecting the growth rate.  This bizarre combination is unlikely occur again on your plot of land.  @SimplyBananas1 is on Twitter. 



Cool things I seen on the internets---I saw this garden using spent banana plant trunks:

I planted basil in one old trunk and it's beginning to come up.  I'll be interested to see how it does as the Spring goes along. 


Season *8--This is the eighth year of Simply Bananas.  As a zone-buster from way back, I deeply appreciate all whom have helped us.  Its you who provide feedback to what works and what doesn't so that I can hone in on providing the best banana plants that we can grow given our circumstances.  Thanks!

The How's It Hanging Section--While nobody has sent us any pictures YET(by the way...send them to SimplyBananas1@gmail.com).  I have heard of a Basjoo(fiber banana) with the yellow flower from the folks downtown as well as a mysterious blooming edible banana deep in the forests of Snee Farms.  The best I can offer is this skinny mutant Ice Cream bud.  There is only one real leaf and may not make it.
 

Sad, I know, but don't weep. 

See ya soon--Maybe in June!
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Merry Christmas-Early Winter -No Apocolypse Edition!

Bananas roasting on an open fire.....

Wow--Its been a great year for Bananas.-- We are certainly in the final days of the 2012 season.  We first saw traces of green back in March...that was a long time ago.  The plants are looking shaggy--like a boy after a long summer at the beach--sun-bleached unkempt hair and all.  Big plants, many leaves, lots of flowers and fruit....Man what a year!

I mentioned--back in May, that I thought that this would be the best season for bananas EVER in the LowCountry.  Last month, USA TODAY, reported that the weather-on average- was warmer than normal for the past 16 months.  October broke the streak.  Read the story here: click this link!

 

This and That about fruit--Banana fruits that are 2-3 months old will often times ripen and become edible.  If we have to cut some before they have plumped and start to yellow, allow them to hang for a few weeks inside and its likey you will be able to eat them!  For those with fruits already, remember that the ripe bananas flavor changes dramatically every few days.  Often times we make the mistake of eating homegrown bananas too soon.  Later we find out that as the skin thins and darkens, the flavor is the best.  Be patient. 

Frost Alert--While we don't really know when the first killer frost will be the historical record indicates that it will be in the next 30 days or so.  There is not much that you can do for the leaves.  However, if light frosts are indicated in your area--it is possible protect the fruits with a burlap bag or some type of fabric wrapped around them.  If the frost is certain--go ahead and cut the fruit from the plant.  Now is the time to be especially vigilant. 

 The Mayan calendar ended the other day.  We did not.  With 2013 around the corner, we, as banana growers, cannot help but speculate on the remaining winter weather.  Will we repeat the bounty of 2012, spurred by an early growing season or will we return to a nasty 2011-like winter with multiple sub freezing days?  I don't know... I cannot help but speculate that out tropical plants are in very good shape heading into the remainder of winter.  Thick trunks can really protect the delicate center core longer against the cold.  Remember--there is no rush to cut your plants.  When you do cut them--cut them high on the stem. 

 

Whats Santa Clause bringing you??

 

The How's it Hanging Section

 From Daniel Island

Winter Fox and his West Ashley Ice Creams

Dwarf Namwahs from Simply Bananas on James Island

Downtown Bananas...in 1972!

 See you in 2013----Stay Warm!!!

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