My Familys' Mango Grove

Growing up on a mango grove is something I can’t imagine not experiencing. The ever-resonating sound of cicadas entrances the mind, and takes you away. A few rouge White Ibises are often seen frequenting the newly cut grass, and I feel compelled at my own expense to take the long way around them, so as to not disturb.

Dawn approaching, your field of vision is reduced and your view of the nearby streets skewed. At these instances I’m taken aback, or rather just back, as I get the eerie feeling that my grandfather, and his father before him must have imagined this moment for me in their time.

Just prior to the extreme summer months that beckon the essence of these fruits to flow forth through the trees’ newly acquired pink blooms, I find myself carrying around four or five easy-peel oranges from the few orange trees remaining. The peels are scattered about as a friendly reminder of where I’ve been, with the trail doubling back towards the source of the fruit a time or two.

After the season has passed the massive Java Plum trees begin to produce. Picking them, I’m told that my great-grandmother once fancied them as a jam. It’s at that moment I’m confronted with an odd realization. Not of insignificance, nor a lack of importance. Rather, an inkling of the power and majesty of these trees, and plant life in general. I feel it's through these plants that life as we know it is possible, and that they must have souls as well.




See also: Java Plum

Sea Grape Jam

As the sea grapes here in South Florida begin to ripen, I cant help but make some Sea Grape Jam. Largely ignored, the Sea Grape - Coccoloba uvifera - and known as Uva de Playa in Spanish, is widespread and quite common despite it's recognition. When I was younger I would snack on them while at the beach, but disliked the fact that they have a very large pit. Turning them into jam can solve this, and can be fun too.

The plant itself is very salt tolerant and can be found growing right on the beach dunes. It is reported to be the first plant encountered by Christopher Columbus when he "discovered" America. Exposed to the high winds of the beach, the plant grows sturdy and wide to embrace these conditions. Grown in a more sheltered location, they grow as a tree and can reach massive heights.

To make Sea Grape Jam, you'll need:
1. Sea Grapes, of course.
2. Two Lemons or Limes
3. Pectin
4. 5 cups of sugar.

To start, wash and then boil your Sea Grapes in a ratio of 2 cups Sea Grapes to one cup water. Use as many cups of Sea Grapes as you can. Crush the Sea Grapes as they boil for 25-30 minutes, until they are soft and palatable. Drain the juice through a jelly bag into a container, and DO NOT SQUEEZE.

Pour the juice into a pot and stir in the juice of your Lemons or Limes, and then add your Pectin. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and add your sugar. Let it return to a boil and let it remain boiling for one minute, always stirring. After removing from heat, skim foam if necessary. Pour into Sterilized Jars while leaving a quarter inch room at the top of the jar. Sterilize the jars in a 5 minute boil bath, and presto! Sea Grape Jam!

Plum - Syzygium Cumini or Java Plum / Jambul Fruit

I have a few Java Plum / Jambul trees, and I've noticed one particular black beetle like pest that seems to hang out only on these trees. They are small, maybe a cm long, with a tiny elephant snout looking nose. I'm unsure of the name and a search for java plum pests and all related searches comes up with nothing. Has anyone encountered these guys, and knows what they are? I figured the first step towards getting rid of them would be to know what I'm dealing with. I'll post a picture soon, but in the meantime, does anyone know off hand what they could be?

See also: Progress With Pumpkins

Progress with Pumpkins!

After four days of rain, I was finally able to observe my pumpkin seedlings planted the day prior to the half week long storm. They're doing great! I've attached a photograph of the five day old seedlings with a house-key in view for size comparison.

A tip for fellow pumpkin growers at this stage is to plant the seeds somewhat shallow in the mounds. One third of my mounds have their seedlings either just emerging, or not yet at all. I attribute this to my caution with how deep I planted them, and confirmed this thought by brushing of a half inch of sand from the top of the affected mounds. Lo-and-behold, i had a seedling anxious to emerge!

In other news, my Java Plum trees are beginning to produce fruit!

I can't wait to turn these Java Plums into jam! Stick with me to see how it turns out!



See also: How to Grow Pumpkins in Florida

See also: Java Plum

How to Grow Pumpkins - Growing Pumpkins in Florida

It's that time of year! I'f you haven't yet and are considering it, you definitely should get a move on! It's pumpkin planting season! For all of you who celebrate Halloween, you know they're a staple of the holiday, decorating a majority of porches owned by parents of children. The activity of carving a pumpkin, baking the seeds, making pumpkin pie and illuminating their goofy, and sometimes down-right scary faces. The farmers of yesteryear must of been pretty persuasive and ingenious to create such a boom of sales!

The majority of the larger pumpkins used for carving jack-o-lanterns take an estimated 110 days to fully develop. However, with Florida's strong and ever-present sun, you can expect slightly faster than average yields. Miniature pumpkins, however only take 80 days to fully develop, and are fun for everyone! You can get upwards of 40 of them on one vine! I would suggest buying both varieties of seeds to get a feel for both and help you decide what your personal preference is.

When planting the seeds it is important to plant them in a small mound of soil. Pumpkins prefer organic soils and therefore the sandy top surface of sand here in south Florida is not ideal. However, in many areas if you dig down 2 or 3 feet, there is a rich most soil that is ideal. If you don't have the time and energy to proceed with this step (Or simply don't want to go tearing your lawn up!) any bags of topsoil will do.

Now, when you construct the mounds it will be necessary to moisten the soil as you go along, before planting. This is because the sand here in Florida is extra resistant to water, deflecting it with stubborn ease. (If you've opted for bags of topsoil this process can be avoided, as it quite enjoys taking up water.)

After planting your mounds you can further ensure a good harvest by digging a small "moat" in a circle around your mound. This will help retain moisture when watering, and take time off your hands when it rains. When watering pumpkins it is important to remember to water at the base of the stalk, pouring the water directly where the roots can find it. Pumpkins are sensitive to water on their leafs, and can even encourage mildew when wet at night. Remember, your pumpkins may look wilted in the day time, but they actually enjoy the sun quite bit, and will look fin a few hours when it cools down.

Most of all it's important to remember to have fun! Your children may enjoy helping in the garden for this task, and may even take pride in it as I did when I was young. I'll be posting pictures of my seedlings that were planted 5 days ago soon! Check back for more!

See also: Progress With Pumpkins