Everything Else > Tropical Vegetables and Other Edibles

FL summer gardening ideas - best tasting & productive vegetables/herbs

<< < (6/7) > >>

Coconut Cream:
The most vigorous and productive summer crop I ever planted here was Mavuno Cow Pea from Cody Cove Farm. Those things grew so much they took over the world, and they even did a little bit of climbing, despite their reputation as a ground-only vine. They produced a ton of beans and didn't care at all about the sandy soil. The problem I had was the constant need to trim the growth and ultimately I pulled them out. I was hoping to enrich the soil with the "green mulch" concept and nitrogen-fixing properties but I didn't notice much of an improvement in the areas I planted it versus just adding composted manure.

Has anyone had luck with growing taro? What conditions have given you good results?

Galatians522:

--- Quote from: Coconut Cream on July 27, 2024, 04:50:51 PM ---
Has anyone had luck with growing taro? What conditions have given you good results?

--- End quote ---

I have only grown upland Taro. I think that is mostly what is available here. It likes as much organic matter as is feasibly possible and lots of water and fertilizer. Build swales 4' appart. The depth does not make that much difference just as long as it gathers the water to the low point (I think mine are 8"-10" deep). Fertilize and lime the bottom of the swale where the taro will get planted just like for any typical garden crop (1/2 cup of balanced fertilizer like 6-6-6 for every 10' of row). Plant the huli (taro planting pieces) 3' appart in the bottom of the swale. I like long huli (about 12"). Set them about 10" deep so just the top 1-2" sticks out above the ground. Mulch everything with 6" of oak leaves or other lose mulch and keep well watered. Harvest as needed when the main corm starts dying back. Plant in a new location the following year to prevent nematodes from building up. You can go back to the original bed in the 3rd year. This is what has worked for me. You may need to make some adjustments at your specific site or based on your growing preferences.

DavidBYE:
I plant taro with the bananas. They love some shade, lots of food and water. Some are five feet high. They also pup really well.

Coconut Cream:

--- Quote from: Galatians522 on July 27, 2024, 08:51:49 PM ---I have only grown upland Taro. I think that is mostly what is available here.
--- End quote ---

Wow, thank you for the detailed response. That's why I haven't really done well with it. I can see how having a wet trench area would really make them happy and productive, but I don't think I can make that happen in my yard, especially rotating locations. As far as sun requirement, is full sun ok or do they prefer more dappled light?

I would love to plant them in the understory of my banana patch, that would look so tropical. Maybe I'll give that a shot since it's probably the wettest plantable area that I have.

Galatians522:
David is 100% right. Taro likes the same conditions as banana. It would probably do well for you there. Like I said, you may need to adjust my recipee some for your conditions and style and that is fine. It can be grown in full sun if you give it lots of water (may need to water multiple times per day). However, shade is fine and probably better for most people. Taro and Malanga are the only root crops that I know of that can be grown under the shade of an oak tree and still produce a meaningful crop.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page