Video: Green Thumb Father-Son Team Grow Bananas In Their Yard

HOUSTON, MISS. (WCBI) –  Geams Ford is used to strangers stopping by his home for a short visit.

Like many others, Palmer Clarett had to see if what he heard about the Ford front yard was true.

“I want to see that banana tree,” Clarett said.

Sure enough, those are banana trees in the yard at 354 Dr.  Martin Luther King Drive, in Houston.

It’s been twenty years or so since Geams Ford was mowing front yards as a way to make extra money, when he spotted a banana tree at a client’s house.

“I asked her would she sell me one and she said no I ain’t going to sell you one, I ‘ll give you one,” Ford said.

He planted that tree, and now, two decades later, his son, Samuel, helps his Dad care for the offspring of that first tree.

“We dig them up right before the first frost and we keep them stored in a storage house we wrap them up in newspaper, then in July, we take them out and set them back out again,” Samuel said.

Mr Geams says the banana trees aren’t that hard to maintain, but there is one important factor. Once they are replanted , they take lots and lots of water.

“You can’t give them too much water, can water everyday,” he said.

This father and son team plan to pick their harvest of bananas in the next few weeks, then they have plans for their tropical treats.

“My mom makes banana pudding, she makes the best banana pudding,” Samuel said.

Each tree will produce 30 to 40 bananas. Next the Ford’s are hoping to branch out with pineapples.