Subtropical Trees & Plants at Sarvodaya Farms
Can I grow subtropical trees in my home garden?
If you live in California, you most likely can grow Subtropical Plants outdoors in you garden without a greenhouse or any kind of covering. There's a few easy ways to know if you can grow subtropicals:
1. If you get no frost, or very little frost in your garden.
2. If nightime, winter temperatures in your garden never go below 30 degrees F
3. If you see your neighbors growing subtropicals such as bananas, papayas, or guavas.
If any of these sound like your garden space, you CAN GROW SUBTROPICALS!
What should I know before ordering?
#1 Subtropicals are best planted in the early Spring, around March for most people. Plant outside when NIGHTTIME temperatures are consistently in the low 50s or higher. Planting in early Spring, will give subtropicals the MOST amount of warm growing days over the Spring and Summer to establish before damaging winter cold sets in.
#2 Plant subtropicals in the warmest place in your garden. This could be near a building or a wall that absorbs and then releases heat at night. Planting on a slope also helps cold air drain AWAY from subtropical plants.
#3 For the first few seasons, you may need to provide some winter cold protection. There are few easy ways to do this: a) place large rocks or concrete blocks around the base of your subtropical plant b) place 1 gallon milk jugs filled with water around the base of your plant c) cover your plant with a clear plastic sheet d) wrap non-LED christmas lights around your subtropical plant
#4 Expect winter damage. Subtropical plants WILL get damaged in the Winter if they are planted outdoors and THAT IS OKAY. We primarily want to limit damage and prevent any structural or catastrophic damage.
Our Subtropical Selection
Avocados
Bananas
Dragonfruits
Eugenia Fruits
Fruits of India
Guavas
Papayas
Passionfruit
Sugarcanes
More Subtropical Fruits
Subtropical Herbs
Subtropical Vegetables
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Sign up nowSubtropical Planting Instructions
#1 Plant in the right season
#2 Choose a warm location
#3 Planting
Dig a hole slightly larger than the plant's root ball. Gently remove the plant from its container, loosen the roots, and place it in the hole. Position the plant at the same depth it was in the container and backfill with soil. Water thoroughly after planting. DO NOT ADD COMPOST TO THE PLANTING HOLE.
#4 Amend the Soil
Most subtropicals will prefer highly fertile soil, and soil in most home gardens has been damaged from construction and years of dehydration and sun exposure. Improve soil quality by amending it with organic matter such as compost. Add a 3 inch thick layer of compost in a 5 foot diameter around the trunk of trees, or a 2 foot diameter around the base of smaller plants.
#5 Mulch
Apply a 3 inch thick layer of wood chip mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch away from the plant's stem to prevent rot.
#6 Watering
Water newly planted subtropical plants deeply to establish their roots. Water regularly to maintain soil moisture.