Hi,
I've been a member a few months, but am finally getting around to introducing myself. I have an ornamental edible garden, and help with gardening programs with our local schools. Here in Alameda we have a good microclimate (9b) and fantastic sandy soil for growing bananas. I have one and two year old Orinocos, the older one has a bunch growing, hopefully it will ripen in March or April. Otherwise I have a recipe in mind if I have to harvest green. (Think of a Caribbean style curry dish with the babies naners as the starch.) I also have some tissue cultured Red Jamaican and Mahoi babies about a foot tall in pots. I have my gazebo encased in plastic sheeting through the cold weather, and have a variety of pepper plants in there, and have been able to harvest peppers year round, with plants up to three years old. The entire perimeter of my garden is planted in dwarf espaliered fruit trees, with a hedge of citrus along my Northern fence. I also have tons of Tropicana cannas, which, along with the bananas give my garden a tropical look. My goal was to create a demonstration garden to inspire people to grow their own food, and so far, I've helped launch quite a few pale green thumbs. I'll be posting a few recipes for those of you who have had to harvest green and still want to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Cheers
Jasmine