Whanganui Goes Bananas: From Backyard Wonders to Fruity Feasts!

Back in 2014, Steve Clotworthy’s 10-year-old banana tree in Aramoho made headlines when it fruited for the very first time. Today, bananas popping up in Whanganui backyards are hardly news. 🌴

Gareth Carter of Springvale Nurseries explains that Whanganui’s warming climate is transforming the way we garden. “In areas like Springvale, St John’s Hill, and heading into Castlecliff, frost is becoming a rare sight,” he says. “We’re lucky if we see five light frosts all winter.”

This gentle climate is perfect for bananas, which are fast becoming the new favorite among local gardeners. Easy to care for, these tropical treats just need a cozy spot, plenty of sun, and regular watering to thrive. Once they’re happy, they’ll keep on growing and multiplying.

Mark Daniels from Castlecliff shares his banana-growing journey. “I started with two plants, and now I’ve got a whole clump! The banana tree bears fruit, then it dies off and the next ones take over.” His bananas took about three to four years to bear fruit, and now he enjoys a steady supply.

While the bananas you’ll find at local garden centers are different from supermarket varieties, they’re just as delightful. “Each bunch might give you a kilo or two of small but super sweet bananas,” says Daniels. “They ripen quickly after cutting, and you can pick them as you need them. It’s a fresh banana supply on tap!”

Daniels has a clever trick to avoid banana overload: “Instead of picking the whole bunch at once, I pick them one at a time. That way, I get a constant supply without having to eat a mountain of bananas every day.”

Though New Zealand isn’t yet a commercial banana-growing hub, exciting trials are underway, supported by AgResearch scientists. Meanwhile, hobby gardeners are reducing their food miles one banana at a time.

If you’re tempted to join the banana-growing bandwagon, here’s how: Plant them in the ground after the last frost, or keep them in a pot on a sunny, sheltered deck until they’re ready to go into the garden. With a bit of TLC, you’ll be enjoying your own homegrown bananas before you know it! 🍌