Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 13 Apr 2024

Grow your own Olive Oil

Branch of olives

Q: Can I grow an olive tree in Florida and have my own olives? How long does it take to fruit?

A: Olive trees can indeed thrive and fruit in various regions of Florida. Their adaptability to different climates makes them suitable for the state's diverse conditions. In the northern and central parts of Florida olive trees can flourish.

Easy to grow. Olive trees prefer well-drained soil, and they thrive in full sun, which Florida offers in abundance. While they may not produce as prolifically as in their native Mediterranean habitats, with proper care and suitable varieties, such as Arbequina, Coratina and Leccino, you can still enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Cold hardy. One advantage of olive trees in Florida is their cold hardiness. They can withstand occasional frosts and freezes, particularly when they are mature.

Heat- and drought-tolerant. Olive trees also offer additional benefits beyond their fruit production. They are drought-tolerant once established, making them well-suited to Florida's sometimes erratic rainfall patterns.

Beautiful in landscape. Evergreen foliage of olive trees adds aesthetic appeal to landscapes year-round, and their gnarled trunks and silvery-green leaves create a Mediterranean ambiance reminiscent of warmer climates.

Fertilize for quick fruit. Olives will start flowering within 1-2 years of planting, providing regular fertilizing program. We recommend Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus liquid fertilizer, perfect for edibles and organic gardens.

Symbol of Prosperity. The olive branch has long been revered for its symbolic significance, representing peace, prosperity, and hope across cultures and centuries. It transcends mere botanical importance to embody the enduring power of goodwill.

Healthy Olive Oil. Similarly, olive oil, extracted from these timeless fruits, has been celebrated not only for its culinary excellence but also for its remarkable health benefits. Rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy fats, olive oil has sustained generations with its nourishing properties, earning it a cherished place in both culinary traditions and holistic wellness practices worldwide. So, whether adorning Olympic crowns or enriching Mediterranean cuisine, the olive and its offerings continue to inspire and enrich our lives with their timeless allure and profound significance.

Get your own Olive tree today!

Read more: How to grow a nice Olive tree fast?

Shop Olive Trees

Large olive tree

Date: 19 Jan 2022

Avocado Q & A

Sensation: Avocado 2.5 y.o seedling just bloomed!

Ed's Avocado seedling blooming at age 2.5 years old... Go figure!

Q: Can I plant a seed from a store bought avocado and expect it to bear fruit?

A: Avocados grown from seed do not always come true, meaning being the same as the avocado that produced the seed being planted. Also, avocados grown from seed will take upwards of 8 years to flower and bear fruit unless grown by Ed Jones and his witchcraft. Ed Jones, the Avocado Guy... Yes, he is also the Mango Guy, and the Booster Guy... We don't know how he does it. He grows the most beautiful fruit trees, many of them from seed and they all seem to flower within two years! (See his blogs about his Star Fruit, Olive trees, and video about Shaping Mango Trees). All we know for sure, he uses Sunshine Boosters for all his plant experiments.
As far as Avocado , we recommend a grafted variety, where a scion, or branch tip, of a known cultivar is grafted to good rootstock. These trees will usually flower right away and bear good amount of fruit within a couple of years of being planted in the ground.
It's a good chance now to get a good grafted Avocado on our special Happy Value Sale while supply lasts, for only $59.95.

Date: 16 Oct 2025

Grumichama jam: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Grumichama jam: quick-n-fun exotic recipes Grumichama jam: quick-n-fun exotic recipes
🍴 Grumichama jam: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

  • 🔴Cook Grumichama cherries with sugar and lime juice.
  • 🔴A deep red jam with a cherry-meets-blackberry flavor.


Grumichama Jam: Quick-n-Fun Exotic Recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh Grumichama cherries (Eugenia brasiliensis)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp lime juice

Instructions

  1. Remove seeds from Grumichama cherries.
  2. Place fruit in a saucepan with sugar and lime juice.
  3. Simmer over low heat until thick and glossy, stirring often.
  4. Pour into sterilized jars and let cool before sealing.



🛒 Plant Grumichama tree (Eugenia brasiliensis)

📚 Learn more:

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Date: 22 Sep 2025

Ackee breakfast scramble: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Ackee breakfast scramble

Ackee breakfast scramble

🍴 Ackee breakfast scramble: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Ackee breakfast scramble recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups boiled Ackee (Blighia sapida)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1-2 hot peppers (Scotch Bonnet, Wiri Wiri, or Biquinho), sliced
  • 1 tbsp oil or butter
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet. Saute onion until soft.
  2. Add tomatoes and sliced hot peppers, cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Gently fold in the boiled ackee, stir carefully to avoid breaking it up.
  4. Season with salt, cook until heated through, then serve warm.

🛒 Grow your own Akee fruit (banned for import) and hot peppers

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Date: 4 Oct 2025

Curry leaf rice: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Curry leaf rice

Curry leaf rice

🍴 Curry leaf rice: quick-n-fun exotic recipes
  • 🟢Fry curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) with mustard seeds, garlic, and chilies
  • 🟢Stir into steamed rice for a fragrant side dish 🍛

🍛 Curry Leaf Rice recipes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup steamed rice
  • 1 handful fresh curry leaves (Murraya koenigii)
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3-4 dried red chilies
  • 1 tbsp oil or ghee
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds until they pop.
  2. Add garlic, chilies, and curry leaves. Fry until fragrant.
  3. Stir in steamed rice and mix well.
  4. Season with salt and serve hot as a fragrant side dish 🍲

🛒Grow your own Curry Leaf Tree for exotic recipes

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