It’s such a joy to look out your window and see your own…

 mango tree growing in your yard.

 

And what says “Ahhhh, a day in paradise” more than a mango smoothie? Sweet and sassy, slipping over my tongue as I sip it through a straw. So good for you too! It’s packed with all kinds of good stuff. Vitamins, minerals and things called polyphenolic anti-oxidants, what ever that is. I just call it the best part of summer.

Mango smoothies are a breeze to make and a delight to drink.

But first let me tell you how to grow your own mango tree.

The first step is determining where to plant it.

Pick the right spot

A mango tree gets very large, and grows quite quickly. The mango tree in my sisters yard was planted about 15 years ago and is about 20′ tall and about 15′ across. They can reach 45′, so make sure you don’t plant them too close to the house. The ground also needs to be very deep. If you dig down 2 feet and hit rock that’s not the place to plant a mango tree. This tree has a very long tap root so once established it does not need extra water during the wet season, and only an occasional watering when it is very dry.  Of course if you have sandy soil water goes right through It, so you will need more frequent watering in the dry season. The planting site needs to be well drained. It’s feet do not like to be standing in water, or it will get root rot. If you have a very high water table you might try planting them on a mound to keep their “toes” out of the water. A thick mulch to suppress the weeds and retain moisture is a good idea too. But don’t let the mulch touch the trunk as it can cause fungus and rot to form.

This mango tree has only been planted in the ground for one year.

Keep in mind your climate

Mangos are a tropical fruit. They need to be in full sun to produce abundantly. They do not like it cold. Mango Trees grow in zones 10 and above. A young plant can die from frost. It will need to be covered and kept warm if you expect frost or projected temperatures below 30°. As it matures it can still be damaged by frost, killing branch tips and blossoms. So they need to be positioned in a place that has protection from cold winds and frost. If you live in a lower planting zone (9 or lower), you can still grow a mango. You will just have to put it in a large pot on wheels as it will have to be brought inside in the winter, and given adequate light.

Preparing the soil

Your mango will want a soil PH of between 5.5 and 7. So before you plant, have your soil tested, and adjust as needed. You will also want to amend the soil, since, when you plant a tree you only get one chance to make the soil under your tree the best it can be. You will also want to know what your soil is deficient in so adjustments can be made there as well. Once planted you will want to fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer and make sure you supplement with trace minerals and magnesium for optimal fruit flavor.

Varieties

Mangos in South West Florida ripen from May to September depending on the variety. The old Florida mangos were very turpentiney (if that’s a word). But the newer varieties are very good. That’s why you want to purchase a grafted tree instead of growing one from seed. so you will grow a good quality and good tasting fruit. A tree grown from the seed may not be true to the variety of the fruit you ate. Hayden is a very good variety for our area. Our friends out at Promised Land Mangos can let you know what is the best to grow in your area.

 

Nutrition

As I mentioned before, mangos are full of all kinds of good “stuff”. They contain 25% of the RDA of Vitamin A, 100% of the RDA of Vitamin C, they are high in Fiber, Folate, Potassium, Vitamin B6,  and contain moderate amounts of Copper. All in a very yummy package.

Allergy

One word of caution, however. About 20% of the population is allergic to the mango to some extent. The allergens are primarily in the stems, leaves and to a lesser extent in the skin. The plant has a white sticky sap that contains Urushiol. When this gets on the skin it can cause a topical dermatitis and in some rare cases a more severe reaction. To lessen the possibility of the dermatitis, wear gloves when peeling the fruit. and use care if you prune the tree. NEVER BURN THE LEAVES OR BRANCHES AS THIS PUTS THE OILS INTO THE AIR. If you are severely allergic Don’t plant the tree, or remove it if you have one already.

 

Storage

Now to the Smoothie!

Easy Peasy! Just peel and cut up the mango. Put it in the blender*

and give it a whirl.

Add Ice cubes until it is the consistency you wish. If you are using frozen mango you may add a little juice to get the blender whirling. I like pineapple or apple Juice.

Now pour it into a glass, sit back, and count your blessings. One of which is this glass of

Mango Smoothie.

If you liked this article you might also like my article on growing your own pineapple and growing papaya. Check it out and let me know what you think.

And don’t forget to have a Ducky Day!