Bananas (Musa spp.) are a tropical fruit crop that can be grown in a food forest in central Florida. They are known for their large, flavorful fruit and their easy-care nature. However, it’s important to note that bananas are sensitive to frost and cold temperatures, so it’s best to grow them in a protected location or in a container that can be brought indoors during the winter months.
When choosing varieties of bananas to grow in your food forest, consider selecting a cultivar that is well-suited to the specific growing conditions in your area. Some cold hardy edible varieties for central Florida include:
Dwarf Cavendish is a popular variety that is considered to be cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to 28°F (-2°C)
Rajapuri is a variety known for its hardiness and can tolerate temperatures down to 30°F (-1°C)
Grand Nain (Musa ‘Grand Nain’) and Blue Java (Musa ‘Ice Cream’) are two varieties of banana that are known for their cold hardiness and their large, flavorful fruit.
The Grand Nain variety is also known as the “Chiquita Banana” and it’s considered to be one of the most cold hardy varieties of banana, it can tolerate temperatures down to 28°F (-2°C) and is a heavy yielder. It is known for its large, elongated fruit that has a sweet and creamy flavor.
The Blue Java, also known as “Ice Cream Banana” is a cold hardy variety that is known for its tolerance to cold temperatures, it can tolerate temperatures down to 25°F (-4°C) and it’s also a heavy yielder. It is known for its unique blue-gray skin and creamy, vanilla-flavored fruit.
There is a very cold hardy banana called a “hardy banana” or Musa Basjoo or fiber banana. This is generally considered an inedible fibrous fruit.
Both varieties are considered to be cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures lower than other banana varieties, but it’s important to note that they still require some protection from frost and cold temperatures. They will require protection during the winter and some growers recommend covering them with frost blankets or moving them indoors during the coldest months if they are still in containers. Even if they get knocked back, even to the ground, in sub freezing temps, they will probably come right back up as temps rise consistently. Creating microclimates by placing them in a banana circle or close to the southern side foundation of your house can keep them warmer during the coldest periods. Additionally, a windbreak that will stop strong cold winds from lashing them will also help.
Plaintains are another option from the same family as bananas. Plaintains are more often cooked green as a starchy addition to a meal rather than eating like a sweet desert banana. Cooked plaintains go very well with beans like black beans in Cuban or other island types of cooking and cuisine.
Bananas prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and warm weather. They can be grown in a container or in the ground, but they do require a lot of space. When planting bananas, make sure to space the plants about 8-10 feet apart, and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Bananas require regular watering, but be careful not to over-water, as they do not tolerate soggy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Planting them a top swales in a permaculture setting is a good design placement. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer or feed with scraps to make compost into the middle of a banana circle.
Bananas typically take about 9-12 months from planting to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the skin turns from green to yellow. To harvest, simply cut the fruit off the stem with a sharp knife.
Bananas are a nutritious and flavorful fruit that can be eaten fresh, used in cooking and baking, or dried, or used as a sweetener.
Bananas can be grown in a food forest in central Florida, but it’s important to choose cold hardy varieties and to take extra precautions to protect the plants from frost and cold temperatures. With proper care and attention, a banana tree crop can produce a bountiful harvest of nutritious and delicious fruit for many years.