Many of don’t have the good fortune of a tropical climate in which to unwind tilling a fresh rotation of crops all year round. So how to be a year round gardener if the ground is just finally thawing? And how to do it with a bit of tropical flair without being a slave to heat lamps or mortgage payments on a greenhouse?

1. Before you say you can’t grow bananas, find out if you really can’t grow bananas. The basjoo banana plant (notice I did not say “tree”) is hardy to 20 degrees when properly mulched. Yes, I said 20 degrees.

Consider the following sources:

Banana Tree

More Banana Trees

Banana Plants

Bananas from Brighter blooms

1. It can still be worth it to grow tropical fruit in a growing season too short for fruit. Bananas, for example, are worthy of consideration for their elegant asymmetric leaf structure and lush textures. Also, from a culinary perspective, the banana leaf is a superb grilling instrument. Consider using whenever you would think of using aluminum foil.
2. Ginger is another tropical worth cultivating even in a short growing season. As it grows, it develops tender pink shoots that don’t need to be peeled and have a more  mild flavor. If you have ever tried green garlic, we are on the same page.
3. Consider bringing plants in during cold weather. Some tropical plants do not require blistering sun to prosper. One of them is font color=”#d5480a”>ginger:
4. Grow more thyme, mint, and sage. All of these are low maintenance, hardy plants very much used in Caribbean cuisine, in great part because they work so well with tropical flavors in both sweet and savory settings.

By the way, this is from MY Caribbean garden – lots of sage & mint!

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