Growing pineapple at home is one of the most rewarding summer gardening experiences, because home grown fruit is far sweeter and more fragrant than anything from the supermarket. The best time to harvest is when the skin begins to yellow and the fruit releases that irresistible tropical pineapple aroma. If you can smell it, it is ready.
Harvesting your home grown pineapple
When your pineapple shows colour and scent, cut the fruit cleanly from the plant. After harvesting, tidy the plant by removing any spent leaves and look for suckers and offshoots forming around the base. These baby plants are your next crop.
Growing pineapple at home: propagating pineapple pups
Keep one or two pups on the mother plant and pot up any extras. Choose pups that are 20 to 30 cm long and plant them in the ground or in a container. Take care not to overwater until they have developed roots. With a little care, your family will be enjoying the sweetest home grown pineapple for many years to come.
Want to have a go at growing green beans, find out more here.
