Growing Sugarcane in the Backyard

 

In this post, I hatch another crazy gardening idea to grow sugarcane in my backyard.

As regular readers will know, crazy urban farming ideas are nothing new to PlanterTomato.  Some of the maddest include growing vegetables hydroponically on the roof of the house (Fiddler on the Roof), growing weeds to eat in salad (Eatin' Weeds), curing bacon at home (Bacon Proof of the Existence of God), and planting oats in the suburbs to overwinter (Oats on the Way).  Well here's one more to add to the list.... growing sugar cane in my backyard.

Sugarcane is a perrenial grass that is a member of the Saccharum family.  It grows primarily in the tropics, with the highest commercial production occuring in places such as Brazil, India, and South East Asia.  It is also grown in the Southern U.S. in places like Florida and Louisiana.

Photo: Sugarcane in India

Commercially, sugarcane is grown to make sugar, molasses, rum, and nowadays, ethanol.  In Asia and in Mexico, sugar cane is simply cut and chewed or juiced to make a sweet drink.  My experience with sugarcane comes from ethnic markets where the cane is sold for juicing or for use in certain recipes. (Check out Bobby Flay's recipe for Shrimp on Sugarcane with Rum Glaze) 

Growing Sugarcane

Although sugarcane thrives in hot, wet climates, it apparently can also be grown in warm temperate zones.  Some varieties can survive down to Zone 6, but most require Zone 8 or higher.  Sugarcane is a complex hybrid, the seeds of which will not produce a plant that is not identical to it's parent.  As a result, sugarcane is propogated by planting a section of the stem -- new cane will grow from the buds that lie along the stem.

Sugarcane requires full sun and lots of water.  It will grow to a height of 6-12 feet and about 2 inches in diameter.  It generally takes 1 year to mature but may take up to two years depending on growing conditions.

Sugarcane is perennial which will sprout new canes ones those above the ground have been harvested.  As a result, sugarcane will produce for many years.  In the Southern U.S., sugarcane is planted between August and March.  I'm going to try to find some cane at a local Asian or Hispanic market over the course of the next few months and give it a try.  It may also be possible to buy sugarcane stems from a nursery that specialized in tropical plants.

By the way, sugarcane leaves are extremely sharp, so wear a long sleeve shirt and long pants when harvesting.

To be continued.....

Comments

[Joey]

you are an incredible gardener! how could such interesting ideas just pop right out of your mind? i will be waiting for the development of your experiment.