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When to Harvest Bananas in Georgia: Ripening Tips and Frost Protection

A Savannah, Georgia gardener has a banana plant with two bunches of fruit about 6 inches long. They want to know when the fruit is ready to eat.

Harvest Timeline

Nick advises that bananas take about 3 months to plump up after forming. Cooler temperatures slow growth, so fruit likely won't be ready until spring. Cut the bunch while still green when individual bananas stop swelling (after ~2 weeks of no size increase).

Ripening and Protection

Hang the cut bunch upside down in a cool, dark area to ripen.
Protect the plant from frost and freezing; cold damage halts fruit development.

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