Basjoo with the vegetable garden?
 

Hi there. In a few days I will receive a couple of basjoo plants I purchased on Ebay. I am thinking of planting one of them with my vegetables. Then I started thinking...

Being heavy feeders, will it compete with the veggies for nutrients? Will it cast too much shade for sun loving veggies? I will be growing it with beets in front of it, collard greens just in back of it, and behind the collards there will be squash and lemon cucumbers. Is this a bad idea?

Btw, do any of you use Eleanor's VF-11?

Thanks!

Re: Basjoo with the vegetable garden?
 

Well, honestly, it really depends on how big your garden is as to whether this would be an issue. I wouldn't plant anything right below it by any means. Keep at least 3-4 feet (radius) around the plant free from garden stuff and you shouldn't notice any problems. We always had my naners in the garden during the summer...never noticed any deficiencies in the plants nearby, but they weren't all that close either.

Re: Basjoo with the vegetable garden?
 

Basjoo grows wildly here in Zone 10 (Fla). I avoid that particular breed...
The Basjoo is a fighter, survivor, cold hardy banana what will own your backyard unless properly managed. They 'pup' with a mission. So keep an eye on them.
This forum shows how to properly remove pups...you can sell them on ebay :)
And yes, they will need feeding....or your garden will suffer.
Richard sells a great fertilizer. I purchase nanna feed from him annually.
Reaction from surrounding veggies may be positive or negitive to the levels of nutrients that are combined for healthy banana growth.
Personally, I would have a seperate 'mat' for the bananas to own. Then you can hit them with a waterhose and throw feed at them without worrying about affecting your veggies if possible.

Re: Basjoo with the vegetable garden?
 

Thank you both. I appreciate your responses.