Growing your OWN Sugar Cane

As you can see, I have a sugarcane patch here, and it's growing tall and producing a lot of sugarcane. I planted that last February, and now I'm harvesting this sugarcane. I've already started a lot more sugarcane that's in the ground and will be ready next year. Sugarcane comes back year after year, and you can grow sugar in up to four years. Commercially, sugarcane is planted every year or every two years.

So, after one year of growth, I have nice stalks in here that I'm going to harvest, and let's share those tips with you.

Tip number one: Sugarcane likes a tropical climate. It does not like weather that's too hot or too cold. So, sugarcane will grow best in Florida, Hawaii, or tropical regions. However, you're not out of luck. I'm in zone 9A, so I'm going to be sharing tips on growing sugarcane in regions that get frost.

Tip number two: You can start sugarcane in water. What you can do is get a sugarcane stock, get a nice plump, thick stock with eyes on it, cut it and put it in water while exposing the top part of sugarcane out of water. Otherwise, sugarcane will drown. I made a separate video on how to start sugarcane from cuttings in water, and you can get a head start on growing sugarcane. So, if you live in a region where it gets colder, you can get a head start on growing sugarcane by starting it in water indoors and then planting sugarcane outside in April or May.

Tip number three: The planting site. Sugarcane loves full sun, so choose an area that receives full sun to plant sugarcane. If you have a shady area, sugarcane will not grow as well.

Tip number four: Plant spacing and row spacing. When planting sugarcane, space your rows at least three to four feet apart, and when you're planting sugarcane stocks, plant sugarcane stocks at least two feet apart. That'll give it optimal space to grow bigger and produce a lot of sugarcane.

Tip number five: Watering. Sugarcane loves lots of water. Sugar likes to be moist all the time, so provide lots of water to sugarcane to grow lots of sugarcane. I made a separate video on how often and how much to water your plants, so check that video out if you're interested.

Tip number six: Fertilization. Sugarcane likes lots of fertilizer. Sugar likes nitrogen and phosphorus. You can provide a lot of fertilizer to sugarcane, and sugar can just eat it up. You can even provide direct chicken manure to sugarcane. It won't burn sugarcane; it'll just eat it up, and it will grow very vigorously. So, provide lots of fertilizer to sugarcane and don't worry about burning up your sugarcane.

Tip number seven: Patience. Sugarcane requires lots of patience to grow because it takes about 10 to 11 months to harvest sugarcane after you first plant your sugarcane. However, sugarcane does come back year after year, like I said earlier. It's best to plant sugarcane every two years, but you can get your sugarcane fast-growing up to four years.

Now, some of the pests and diseases that affect sugarcane are sugarcane grubs and sugarcane borers. Be mindful of this without worrying about it too much if you are growing in your backyard or a small area.

Sugarcane juice is not only delicious but also a great source of nutrients. It is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that provide numerous health benefits. Sugarcane juice is rich in iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, all of which are essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth, regulating blood pressure, and maintaining electrolyte balance in the body.

Moreover, sugarcane juice is a natural diuretic and helps flush out toxins from the body. It also boosts the immune system and helps fight off infections and diseases. Additionally, sugarcane juice has a low glycemic index, making it a great alternative to other sweetened beverages for those with diabetes or those trying to manage their blood sugar levels.

If you're looking to try sugarcane juice, it's important to make sure that the sugarcane is washed thoroughly before juicing to remove any dirt or pesticides that may be present. Cutting the ends on a slight angle also makes it easier to feed the sugarcane into the juicing machine. Adding ginger and lemon to the juice not only enhances the flavor but also provides additional health benefits.

In conclusion, sugarcane is great fro many reasons and sugarcane juice is a delicious and healthy beverage that is easy to make at home with a sugarcane juicing machine. It's a great way to quench your thirst while providing your body with essential nutrients and health benefits. If you have the opportunity, be sure to try sugarcane juice at a local festival or while traveling in sugarcane-growing regions.