Bananas in Muck Sand
 

Hi, do Bananas do well in muck-ish black sand? It seems to have alot of organic matter in it. The South West corner of my backyard fence is always muck-ish but not wet, it is not a big area, but it is big enough for 2 future mats I think. At least 1. I did cover my "garden" area with mulch, which includes this section.

Thanks :2722:

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

I've seen mysore do very well in wet stream bottoms

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

That's awesome, Im planning to put my Monalisa or Sweetheart there but I wasnt sure if it will do well. I havent decided which one. Maybe both, but since I have no clue about their size :2738:

Thanks

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

I live in Davie as well. According to the soil survey map done by the USDA I have "Hallandale fine sand". Either way, the bananas I see growing in the area do poorly in unamended soil. In my yard, the bananas which were planted in unamended soil don't look the greatest but produce fruit. The leaves typically become dried out around the edges and there will be fewer leaves on the plants as they dry up. Ideally, you should use A LOT of compost when planting and mix 1-2' down in the 6'+ diameter from planting hole. This is how I planted in the poor-quality sand of Davie, and I've never seen bananas grow so vigorously.

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

Or you could make raised beds. Keep the corms high and dry but if the roots want to go into the muck then its their choice.

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

The sand in my back yard is rich in organic matter, in fact I haven't see a yellow or dry leave in my bananas since I planted the first ones around December. I just moved to this house little under 2 years ago. There are 2 big trees that are always dropping their leaves down. There was also a chicken coop that started in that mucky corner and took most of the back side fence (that was fun to take out :ha:). I guess why the soil is so mucky, also there are septic tanks, mine is not on that side though, maybe neighbors. I usually just amend or top dress them.

That sounds like a good idea, I might do that. This is how basicaly how my bananas in the circle works, they are about 1 foot above the soil in the banana cirlce ring. I wonder if thats why they doing so good plus all that compost forming in the pit.

Thanks

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

Well I made a hole this morning while working in the backyard and cutting the lawn in the front. The hole got standing water at some point, it hasn't rain today, my guess is that one of the neighbors septic tank is not working properly. That is a 4 house corner. I might just leave that corner alone... sucks, that corner looks so empty.

Thanks

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

I grow bananas commercially in muck soil. As long as you have adequate drainage you will be fine. If an 18" hole fills with water you might want to plant on a raised bed or mound.

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

if it smells septic it is septic. if not then more than likely not septic. got flowing wells? check the casing below the ground level. when they get old they rust out. if they are pvc a good whack with the lawn mower might crack it below the ground.

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

You are right, it doesnt smell septic. Im not sure what "casing below the ground" is.

I do have a suspicion that my back side neighbors are dumping their washing machine into that corner. I haven't seen it flood anymore and I haven't seen the lady do laundry since that last time. Ill get back to this post when I see them doing laundry again.

Thanks

Re: Bananas in Muck Sand
 

If you don't like it or you don't like your neighbors call the health department. casing is the outside pipe going deep in the ground and provides you water. [big straw]