Date: 26 Apr 2023
The Benefits of Companion Planting
Q: What is companion planting?
A: Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different crops or types of plants together in a way that benefits all plants. This practice has been used for centuries, and it can be especially useful in tropical gardens where there is a diversity of plant life: trees, shrubs, vines and climbers, ground covers, fruit and edibles, and different flowering ornamentals. It is a great way to improve the health and yield of fruit tree crops while reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. By choosing the right companion plants and planning your garden layout carefully, you can create a vibrant and diverse ecosystem that will benefit both your plants and the environment.
Companion planting involves:
Planting different crops together to repel insects: adding such plants as Lemon grass, Patchouli leaf, or Moujean Tea near your vegetables can deter aphids and other pests.
Attracting pollinators - Butterfly plants. Many tropical crops, such as passion fruit, papaya, mango, and avocado, rely on pollinators to produce fruit. Companion planting can help to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden.
Providing nutrients to the soil, adding mulch and low growing plants (ground covers) to preserve moisture.
Planting a variety of different types of plants together in order to create a more resilient ecosystem that is less susceptible to pests and diseases.
To get started, plan your garden layout and choose companion plants with
similar water and light requirements.
For example, plant in the same group lush foliage plants, gingers, and flowering brunfelsias in shady areas; plant jasmines and gardenias in full sun and very well-drained spots.
Rotate annual crops regularly and experiment with combinations to find what
works best. By doing this, you can create a thriving ecosystem that benefits
both your plants and the environment, reducing the need for harmful
chemicals.
Date: 23 Oct 2022
What is Akee fruit?
One of the most bizarre looking, yet useful...
Email from our Florida customer:
I got an Akee tree from you last year for my tropical fruit garden collection and honestly didn't know much about what it was. This year it started growing real fast and branched out. In spring it was flowering like crazy and now I have about 20 bright coral fruit hanging off the tree that look like Christmas decorations. They are extremely showy and can be seen from far away, I have neighbors stopping by asking what kind of tree it is. I finally did more research on it and found a recipe how to cook the fruit. Only a few had ripened and opened so far, but I already had a chance to try the meal. Cooked the arils and fried in a pan with some butter. What a delicious surprise! To my taste, it is like a mix of potatoes and eggs. Just through in some bacon and it will make a complete breakfast! One of the coolest fruit I've tasted. Just wanted to share this with you.
About Akee (Blighia sapida)
This showy fruit, a close relative of Lychee, Longan, and Rambutan, is a
National fruit of Jamaica. It is indeed very exciting one, and what is also
important, the tree is easy in cultivation, fast growing and can be maintained compact. I it is
not bugsy or picky about soil/water conditions, and is relatively cold tolerant for
being a tropical tree. You can find delicious akee meals only in Jamaican restaurants. But no
need to search for it - grow your own tree, it can't be easier. It will start
fruiting for you the next season, you don't have to wait long. Sometimes it
fruits twice a year! However, remember, the fruit is used as a vegetable, and is not eaten raw. It must be
picked after the fruit has opened naturally so the flesh is fully exposed to
light. When the fruit has "yawned", discard the seeds (or better plant them to
grow more trees - to share with your friends!). The arils, while still fresh
and firm, are best parboiled in salted water or milk and then lightly fried in
butter. Then they are really delicious!
Read
more about this tree...
Date: 29 Jul 2022
What is your Zodiac Lucky plant?
Leo Plant Horoscope 07/23-08/22
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters at the summer
solstice in the Northern Hemisphere approximately July 23. Those who are born
from July 22-23 (depending upon the year) to August 22 are born under Leo.
Leo is a royal sign, there are many stars in its sign - four in the heart
only, and the Ruler of its House is not a planet, but a star named the Sun! Leo
is one of the largest constellations in the sky...
Find out what are your lucky Zodiac plants!...
Date: 16 Jul 2022
The Magic of the Avocado
The Magic of the Avocado... Is it a super-food? A super fruit? The
perfect side dish for any meal? Or does the avocado just taste great? If you need
a proof of the Avocado's status as a super-food, here are some of the benefits.
READ MORE >>
At TopTropicals, healthy and tasty avocados are available in a number of varieties, over 30 choices right now! We also have prices as low as $59 and you can always use our newsletter coupons to save even more. Try all the varieties and start or expand your Avocado Super Garden today!
Cat Philimon (a.k.a. Philly Cheesesteak) eating Avocado
Avocado makes everyone happy! It is Cat Philimon's favorite food. We always have to share with him. Otherwise he just helps himself. He knows it's good for you!
Date: 27 Jun 2022
Thank you for coming!
Thank you everybody for coming to our Saturday Garden Event! Hope you enjoyed your garden tour, discounts and presents. We were happy to see our favorite customers and made lots of new friends! Come back again, our next event will be in September. Stay in touch, don't miss our Newsletters, more info coming soon!
New arrivals of Mango, Avocado and more
