’Jubilee’ bush watermelons bring exceptional sweetness on a compact, bushy form. Versatile across garden scales, including in pots and small spaces, the dwarf variety makes growing the hallmark fruits of summer achievable. Garden expert Katherine Rowe explores the merits of ‘Jubilee’ bush to highlight the warm season. ’Jubilee’ bush watermelons celebrate the flavor of summer. The dwarf melons boast superior sweetness on compact vines. Made for hot weather, the relative of a favorite southern heirloom stands up to heat and humidity for refreshing rewards on long summer days. An excellent melon for hot climates, ‘Jubilee’ bush is also a space-saving option with shorter vines and smaller fruits than the classically large oblongs. They’re a fit for containers and raised beds, and can grow vertically to free up ground space. ‘Jubilee’ bush expands the options for growing sweet, juicy fruits across climates and garden situations. Savor the delicious taste of summer by planting now and enjoying them later in the season. What are ‘Jubilee’ Bush Watermelons? ‘Jubilee’ bush is a prized watermelon variety for its flavor, manageable size, and ability to withstand heat and humidity with good production and disease resistance. Its high sugar content makes it a sweet selection among bush types, which aren’t always as sweet, juicy, and tender as their full-size counterparts. ‘Jubilee’ bush has lineage in the favorite heirloom ‘Jubilee’, a result of several crosses introduced by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station in the early 1960s. ‘Jubilee’ is tops for its large, flavorful melons and resistance to wilt and anthracnose, setting it up for good yields in humid conditions. Like all melons, ‘Jubilee’ bush is in the Cucurbitaceae family along with squashes and cucumbers. Watermelons are long-maturing, soaking in the warmth and sun of summer days as they fill and sweeten. Characteristics ‘Jubilee’ bush produces light green, oval fruits with dark striping. The bright red flesh has a fine, crisp texture to complement the sweet taste. Ready for harvesting in about 90 days, ‘Jubilee’ bush produces three to five fruits per plant. The oval melons weigh 10 to 13 pounds, as compared to the 35-pounders of the standard ‘Jubilee,’ which reach over two feet long. The manageable vines spread three to five feet with resistance to common cucurbit diseases of Fusarium wilt and anthracnose. Native Area Citrullus lanatus is native to North Africa, with wild ancestors in southern Africa and the Kalahari Desert. The drought-tolerant species weren’t necessarily sweet, but they contained water for hydration. The fruits made their way to Egypt, where cultivation began for improvements in water content and sweetness. The ancient watermelons even appear in tombs in painted depictions and as physical seeds. The crop later presents in historical references in Israel, Ancient Rome, China, and Europe. The fruits traveled through colonization and the slave trade from Africa, making their way to North America. Cultivation dedicated to disease-resistant, table quality crops heightened during the last century and continues to innovate. Warm, sun-drenched growing conditions remain essential for their development. Planting In the ground, direct sow watermelon seeds or seedlings into low mounds to improve air circulation, drainage, and minimize damp conditions that lead to disease issues. Mounding also reduces root and vine competition for moisture, nutrients, and sunlight. Two to three vines planted in low, 16-inch tall mounds give vining stems room to run while elevating the crowns. Allow six to seven feet between mounds for vines to run.

Whether you’re growing them indoors for their tropical foliage or outdoors to harvest the delicious fruits, banana plants are wonderfully rewarding additions to any tropical garden. Gardening expert Madison Moulton discusses her first-hand tips for reaping the most from your banana plants. There are few gardening experiences that beat tasting home-grown fruit. The flavors are so much richer and sweeter than grocery store produce, made even more delicious by the effort you put in to grow them. Of all the fruits I’ve grown over the years, from lemons to litchis, one of the most rewarding has been bananas. This common fruit doesn’t excite many gardeners, but the boost in flavor and the amount you get to harvest each year makes growing them worthwhile. If you live in a tropical climate, banana plants are the perfect first fruit to try growing on your own. The tropical leaves also make attractive houseplants if you’re happy to sacrifice the harvesting aspect of growth. Successful banana growing isn’t difficult, but does require some essential knowledge of the plant and its structure. Follow this guide to find out everything you need to know. What Is It? The banana plant, part of the Musa genus, is an often misunderstood member of the plant kingdom. Despite its tree-like appearance, it’s actually classified as an herbaceous plant (and the biggest herb you can grow) with a pseudostem rather than a trunk. What’s even more fascinating is the fruit itself. The banana fruit is technically a berry and grows in clusters called hands, while individual bananas are referred to as fingers. Banana plants are an essential agricultural commodity in tropical and subtropical regions. But it’s not just the fruit that’s valuable. Other parts of the plant (particularly the leaves) are utilized in various dishes, making the banana plant a wonderfully versatile plant to grow in your garden. Their ability to thrive in a range of conditions and adaptability make bananas a great choice for gardeners in warmer climates. History Originally domesticated in Southeast Asia, banana plants are believed to have been cultivated as early as 8,000 BCE. Banana cultivation spread via trade routes early on, when Arab traders played a crucial role in introducing bananas to the Middle East. From there, the fruit found its way to Europe. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that bananas became a common fruit on the market. Modern transportation and refrigeration created space for the export of bananas from tropical regions to colder climates, turning what was once a unique luxury into an everyday staple. Historically, different banana varieties have been cultivated for different purposes. The bananas we commonly consume today come from cultivars and hybrids of Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana species, or Musa × paradisiaca – a cross between the two. Characteristics Banana plants have a rather unique botanical structure and provide plenty of aesthetic value in tropical gardens. The stems, technically called pseudostems, are not woody as you would expect from its tree-like shape. Instead, they are made of a soft core surrounded by leaf sheaths, giving them the appearance of a tree without the same technical structure. These pseudostems can reach up to 20 feet in height, sporting long, glossy green leaves that also reach several feet in length. The leaves have stunning tropical flair, with an arching shape that instantly turns your backyard (or home) into a holiday paradise. Now to the important part – the fruits. Bananas develop in clusters known as hands that are larger than you might expect. Charmingly referred to as fingers, individual bananas grow without seeds in most commercial varieties. The fruit’s skin color varies throughout the season, changing from green when unripe to classic yellow when ready to eat. The fruits also vary in texture, depending on the variety you’re growing. Varieties While most people are familiar with the standard yellow Cavendish banana – the type most often sold in grocery stores – growing your own opens a new world of opportunities. There are so many types to choose from, allowing you to grow something more unique you wouldn’t be able to find in a standard store. Even if you’re not a massive banana fan, exploring these different varieties is sure to boost your appreciation of these useful plants. Planting The best time to plant is late spring or early summer once the soil has warmed sufficiently, creating the ideal conditions for fast root growth. Replicating the native environments of the banana plant is key to growing success, starting with the right location. Choose a spot in full sun if you want as many fruits as possible. The soil should also be well-draining and away from areas where rain collects, as waterlogged conditions can quickly lead to root rot in rainy seasons. Banana plants are also sensitive to high winds, which can tear their leaves, especially soon after planting, while they try to establish strong roots. Plant near a windbreak or provide some protection to preserve the plant’s appearance and health later on. When selecting a plant at the nursery, look for ones with small, spear-shaped leaves that indicate healthy young growth. Look at the roots if you can, and choose plants with plump, healthy growth rather than long and stringy roots. Plants should be spaced approximately 8 feet apart to allow room for growth without overcrowding. Dwarf varieties can be planted slightly closer together if needed, but it’s far better to give your bananas more room to grow than less. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots.

With a tart and floral flavor, yuzu fruits provide a uniquely refreshing taste to sauces and marinades. Join plant expert Briana Yablonski as she explains how to grow this cold-hardy citrus at home. While you’re probably familiar with lemons, oranges, and limes, you can grow many other citrus plants at home. Take yuzu, for instance. These cold-hardy plants can tolerate temperatures that would cause many other types of citrus to perish, making them a good year-round addition to many outdoor gardens. With the proper care, yuzu plants will eventually produce round yellow or orange fruits that resemble bumpy mandarin oranges. Despite their appearance, the sour yuzu fruits aren’t great for fresh eating. However, the tart juice and refreshing zest have a unique flavor that makes an excellent addition to marinades, cocktails, and salad dressings. If you want to try growing yuzu at home, you’re in luck! As long as you provide the proper environment and practice a bit of patience, you can enjoy fresh yuzu fruits within a few years. What Is Yuzu? Yuzu is similar to many other types of citrus plants, with a few unique characteristics. If you think you’d like to add a yuzu to your collection, here’s what you can expect. Characteristics While all yuzu plants grow as evergreen perennials, the rootstock determines their final height. Plants on mature rootstocks can grow up to 20 feet tall, while those with dwarfing rootstocks cap out at about five feet tall. All types of yuzu produce deep green leaves with elongated petioles (leaf stems). These petioles appear to resemble small leaves, so the combination of leaf and petiole looks like two conjoined leaves. Yuzu plants take multiple years to reach maturity, so they won’t produce flowers during their first year of growth. When the plants are old enough, they’ll send out small, white flowers in the late winter or spring. These flowers closely resemble other types of citrus blooms, with five white petals and yellow stamens. After successful pollination, small green fruits appear in the center of the flowers. Eventually, the petals drop, and the fruits grow until they’re about three inches in diameter. Fully grown fruits begin to change color to deep yellow or light orange and are ready for harvest during the winter. Native Area Yuzu originated somewhere in Central China near Tibet, where it continues to grow today. The tree isn’t a distinct species but rather an F1 hybrid of two other citrus trees: the mandarin orange and the pithy Ichang papeda. Although yuzu plants first appeared in China, humans brought this citrus to Japan sometime near the end of the first millennium. Since then, they’ve been grown throughout the country. Planting While adding any plant to my home is exciting, bringing home a citrus plant like yuzu makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning. If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to let the enthusiasm of a new citrus tree prevent you from adequately preparing for its arrival. So stop, take a breath, and keep these tips in mind.