Suppose that we could produce more Bananas in the USA, under US labor laws, we'd need at least 500,000 acres of bananas. And realistically, you have about 100000 suitable acres here in Florida, and about the same in Puerto Rico. I suppose there are portions of California that are suitable, but where are you gonna find people to work in the plantations. Puerto Rican bananas in the grocery store are the same price as they are here so you really can't make the argument that US regulations would make it prohibitive to grow and make a profit. Well me and my five acres are doing our part to supply bananas domestically. Think of the options of bananas you would have if they didn't have to ship very far?
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Originally Posted by TommyMacLuckie
Exactly. That's the carbon footprint problem - if that kind of thing matters to people. I know it matters to airlines.
I have the possibility of using a lot of land in Jefferson Parish that only has Ornatas growing on it right now. It's not huge by any means but it is big enough to grow possibly 10 or 15 rows of different bananas on. I figure as far as weed control I'll just mow whatever is growing and make sure it's blown onto the plants, therefor acting as a fertilizer (somewhat - I know grass clipping work fantastically). Get some different bananas going and take them to a farmer's market or two and see what happens. If I don't at least break even with plant costs, well hell, then I guess I'd just sell the plants. But it might be fun to do some kind of LOCAL small grove farming... I'm not sure what to call it. Musa Plantation Grounds? Ha ha. Something with a bit of a wink. Also I don't think or know of anyone growing plantains in the New Orleans region so that might be interesting as well.
Cause I'm not gonna spend a ton of money on fert and generally in the New Orleans area one doesn't really need it. Irrigation might be the only problem. We just don't get the daily rain like we used to.
As far as crime goes I'd just move the Ornatas to act as a screen. Hopefully if I were to do it no one would just walk in and take the fruit.
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