Pawpaw Taste Test

Pawpaw fruit on a seedling tree

For some time I have seriously considered planting pawpaw trees on my four acres. Before I purchased this land, and was in the daydreaming stages of what my homestead might look like, I seriously considered Pawpaw trees. The only thing that held me back was the fact that I had no idea what pawpaws tasted like. Today, I tasted pawpaws for the first time and the decision is made - I will plant paw paw trees on my land as a delicious step to increased self-sufficiency.

What is a Pawpaw (Paw paw) Tree?

A pawpaw is a fruit tree native to much of North America - zones 5 -7 (areas with cold winters and warm summers) 

The fruit is in the "custard apple" family. And tastes of banana, papaya, and some say of melon

They are nutritious, with high levels of Vitamin C, iron, potassium, and other important vitamins and minerals

In it's native habitat, the paw paw tree has few pests 

The zebra swallowtail butterfly larvae feeds exclusively on pawpaw leaves - but not in large or destructive numbers

Deer tend to feed only on the fruit; leaving the trees and branches alone - making the tree deer resistant

The fruit do not travel well commercially or last longer than several days when fully ripe.  This is why you may never have seen pawpaws in grocery stores

(information gathered from Sun Nurseries Pawpaws and Kentucky State University Pawpaw planting guide)

Public Domain Photo by Manuel.conde 

My Pawpaw Adventure

I love Sun Nurseries and discovered it early this past spring.  It is a bit of drive to get to it, so I don't go as often as I would like. But when I realized they had Pawpaws for sale, I made plans to drive over.

I'm so glad I did. As usual, the Sun Nurseries staff were amazingly friendly and helpful.  I bought a pawpaw, they gave me a plastic spoon, and I went outside and sat on the gazebo step as I prepared to eat my first pawpaw.

I had brought my own knife, and I was a bit surprised by the spoon. As soon as I cut the top off the fruit, I realized that the spoon was pretty important.

The cold (it had been refrigerated), sweet, yellow fruit was very soft. In fact, the texture reminded me of flan.  The taste was a combination of subtle banana and papaya...with the fresh coolness of melon.  

When I was finished, I wrapped up the seeds (to avoid littering) and stuck them in my bag. I was glad I did. The staff told me that I could plant the seeds if I'd like - since I'm not in a rush to have mature trees quickly.  The seeds information was good news.  I was worried that the seedling plants they offered for sale would be too large to get safely from Maryland to my land in West Virginia. Sure, the trees could sit on the front seat of the Jeep and poke out the sun rider roof, but the wind would surely cause great damage to the tree.

You can bet I'll be planting my pawpaw seeds and trying to grow my own sweet, soft, wonderful fruit and/or trying to find a way to transport a seedling tree up to my land.


Related Links:

An article about my first trip to Sun Nurseries.  If you are in the Maryland area and are looking for a wonderful place to see, consider, and purchase plants, shrubs, trees, roses, garden benches, fountains, boulder owls, and so much more... Sun Nurseries is your best bet. Definitely worth a drive. Each time I've been there, the staff are friendly, helpful, and they go above and beyond to make sure you are a happy customer. Each time I go, I wander around for hours; planning my future outdoor space, listening to the birds, sitting near the fountains, and watching the butterflies.         

The Shack is where I'll plant my pawpaw trees and where someday I'll live a country and more self-sufficient life.  I think pawpaw trees will be a great addition to that little piece of land.  I think the perfect spot will be where the "yard" meets the woods - near MY other trees (It still excites me to call them "my" trees!).

In my search for pawpaw recipes, I've found this book.  Pawpaw: In Search of America's Forgotten Fruit has been added to my wishlist.

Pawpaw: In Search of America's Forgotten Fruit

My Sun Nurseries Discovery and Review

Cherry Blossoms

I have discovered a nursery and garden center that I had never visited previously. While I always enjoy visits to garden centers, I had such a great experience in this green wonderland that I have to spread the word and recommend it to you. If you are local and have any landscaping or gardening needs, large or small scale, I suggest you head to Sun Nurseries, Woodbine, Maryland.

My first visit was on a chilly and drizzling day in April.  But it was still the most productive and fun nursery visit I've experienced.

My Search for an Old Fragrant Rose

My search for new-to-me nurseries began with my purchase of my retirement home and land.  With that land, and room to plant my own plants, I have realized how much I miss a rose bush that resided in my yard many, many years ago.  I am searching for a very specific plant but since I'm not knowlegeable about roses, I'm having a hard time finding someone who can help me.

It goes something like this; 

I'm looking for a rose bush... it had glossy, thick leaves. The flowers were about 2-3" across, deep crimson, and bloomed continuously through summer and into the fall.  The buds looked like typical rosebuds, but the flowers opened and looked a lot like zinnias. 

The smell was wonderful and I could smell it across the yard and into the house.  It may have started with a "trunk" of sorts, but spread quickly with long canes.  Oh yes, it was full of thorns. 

Another bit of information is that I owned the house many years ago.  The women who sold the house to me had been born there, and lived there into their 60s and 70s. The plants there had been planted many years prior to me owning the home.  

Do you know what type of rose this may have been? 

I know, I know. Almost impossible to identify a plant with this description. (By the way, my last trip home to my home state, I swung by that old house and had planned to ask to take some cuttings.  Alas, the rose bush is long gone). Folks at garden centers usually attempt to be kind and attentive, but then give me an answer that isn't very thoughtful.  I can tell.

At Sun Nurseries, I quickly went through my spiel.  Really, I wanted to just keep looking at rose plants and see if I can find something similar on my own.

Rosa Hybrida "Golden Showers" Climbing Rose

The Sun Nursery employee, I wish I could recall her name, did not know what I was referring to. But, she gave me great advice; check with the Rose Society, consider that it was a climbing rose without a support, etc. And she went and found every information card they had that would be similar. That way I could at least research the roses that will be in stock as the days warm.  

I will research the roses they have coming and continue to be hopeful that I'll find my fragrant, thorny red rose. In the meantime, I wandered around and adopted this sweet little rose. 

Trees and Shrubs: Planning for The Shack

Currently, I live in an apartment and have a very small container garden on the balcony each year. But, I am excited to be able to plan "landscaping" for the land at my Shack. I am hoping to plant both beautiful and useful plants. I am not an organized gardener. I am currently wandering nurseries to see what is available and researching on the internet to be as informed as I can.  

Sun Nurseries has every sort of tree and shrub I can imagine.  And so many varieties of each.  Outside of a Japaneese Maple, I am hoping to stay fairly close to plants that would be native to West Virginia (the location of my land).

I wish I could find information about how many acres of plants are on display at Sun Nurseries.  The rows continued, often, for as far as I could see. I tried to remain focused on only the plants I may want to plant on my land and I wandered for hours looking at their endless selections of:

• Paw Paw
• Persimmon
• Mountain laurel
• Rhododendron
• Azalea 
• Lilac
• Evergreens 

Items for my Budget Balcony

I write elsewhere about my balcony and container gardening.  My visit at Sun Nurseries was meant to remain focused on researching plants for my property. But I have to say that I did purchase a small mint plant that has been added to my balcony garden.  I also made mental note of many plants and items that would be perfect for a container garden. Including wonderful small hen and chick or strawberry planters!

Wish List: Amazing Stone Items 

Sun Nurseries carries carved stone items from Stone Age Creations.  Many of these items were displayed and included; Boulder Owls, bird baths, and benches. I've added some of the big ticket items to my "maybe someday" wish list.  There were also many sculptures and garden ornaments by a variety of artists. I will not ramble on trying to describe these beauties. Instead, I'll just include a couple of photographs.

Stone Age Boulder Owls

How to Find Sun Nurseries, Woodbine, Maryland

Their physical address is:

    14790 Bushy Park Road

    Woodbine, MD 21797

     Phone: (410) 442-2090  *  (301) 854-6107  *  (310) 820-3000

Sun Nurseries on Facebook  

Sun Nurseries, Inc Website

Summary of Reasons to Visit Sun Nurseries

• HUGE selections - many species of plants and trees & many varieties of the species 
• Helpful staff -  Not overbearing - they are willing to allow you to wander for hours.  Knowledgeable - they are able to answer questions.  Honest - I was talked out of a potential sale because it wasn't known to do well in my area.  
• Prices are inline with prices at every other nursery I've visited. Frankly, as soon as I parked, everything was so attractive that I expected inflated prices. However, all of the plants that I've been pricing online and at local nurseries were similarly priced.
• Many gorgeous stone items
• A nice place to visit