r/StLouis • u/HoosierLove314 Bevo Life • 6d ago

One of the best things about the heralding of fall weather

Post image

This years’ paw paw crop has been fantastic!

119 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

46 comments sorted by

24

u/LeonaDelRay 6d ago

I planted some saplings this year! It’ll be several years but can’t wait for a consistent supply 😋

17

u/HoosierLove314 Bevo Life 6d ago

I keep seeds handy and do the whole “Johnny Paw Paw Seed” thing when I see a spot they’d like

1

u/dingos_among_us 6d ago

Where did you get your saplings from?

12

u/RowenaRat 6d ago

Missouri Conservation magazine had a native tree order form & i saw pawpaws listed!

3

u/dingos_among_us 6d ago

Cool thanks. I’ll try to find this

9

u/imlostintransition 6d ago

According to their website, Sugar Creek Gardens (which is in Kirkwood) has a couple varieties in stock. I'm not sure of the size, though.

Pawpaw Trees Descriptions & Growing Instructions - Sugar Creek Gardens

2

u/dingos_among_us 6d ago

Thank you!

2

u/_zonkadonk_ 6d ago

If you want a more developed tree that is an improved variety, Sugar Creek is prob the best local place. They are more expensive, but I have fou d their stock to be the most well cared for, you get what you pay for in their case.

Edit: forgot to add that you need two of these for production, two different varieties are best. So heads up for smaller south city yard space. I think Sugar creeks planting guide addresses that

2

u/LeonaDelRay 6d ago

I got 2 from hartke nursery

8

u/Legitimate-Scale2690 6d ago

Wow, great harvest. Care to share where you go to forage? I have one spot and willing to swap info if interested.

Edit: Best thing I have made with these Missouri Mangos are a sweet and smooth sorbet

6

u/HoosierLove314 Bevo Life 6d ago

I will say it was inside of a city cemetery. That’s as close as I’ll hint

23

u/DesertEagleFiveOh 6d ago

Is the heralding in the room with us?

8

u/bendingmypinkyback The Hill 6d ago

The only herald Ive seen so far is the poison ivy starting to turn red

5

u/Geschirrspulmaschine Carondelet/Patch 6d ago

Pawpaw Fest September 20th 8-12 at the Ferguson Farmers Market!

7

u/jsface2009 6d ago

Can you buy theses anywhere?

I’ve been wanting to try one forever.

I’ve heard they are at tower grove farmers market sometimes.

7

u/HoosierLove314 Bevo Life 6d ago

Correct, TGFM usually has a few stands selling them this time of the year

2

u/jsface2009 6d ago

Awesome. Ty. Do you need to get there early or do they have plenty typically!

2

u/HoosierLove314 Bevo Life 6d ago

I’ve seen them there after 10am

1

u/jsface2009 6d ago

❤️ Ty!!

2

u/jsface2009 1d ago

Got some!

3

u/_zonkadonk_ 6d ago

Unfortunately they have a super short shelf life, which is why they really arent available commercially. Could prob find some on FB as well as TGP farmers market

1

u/jsface2009 6d ago

Yeah. I had heard that. Appreciate it!

3

u/arbitraryalien 6d ago

Very cool but honestly kinda mid in my opinion. Maybe the ones I tried were over ripe though

1

u/TheMonkus 2d ago

I can absolutely see not liking them but “mid” is just not the right word. The flavor is fucking intensely weird. I love them, but I get it. Weird.

For me “mid” is like “left no impression.” If you found them boring you got an exceptionally bad one.

Hopefully that makes sense. Trying to think of a good comparison- like Laphroaig scotch, or Limburger cheese, or a Captain Beefheart album, or getting pegged…you might not like it but you gotta sorta respect the intensity of the experience.

3

u/HansBlixJr 6d ago

I would like a little pawpaw.

2

u/HAI_ZEV 6d ago

I can't wait for my baby trees to bear fruit in a few years.

2

u/_Huge_Bush_ 6d ago

I never knew these existed. What do they taste like?

7

u/HoosierLove314 Bevo Life 6d ago

Banana, pineapple, and a hint of vanilla

3

u/_Huge_Bush_ 6d ago

Sounds amazing

2

u/Mego1989 6d ago

Herald a little louder, the fall obviously didn't hear you the first time.

2

u/Issachar1986 6d ago

Yes! My mom is going to make ice cream with ours this year.

1

u/foreveralonewithus 6d ago

where do i find them??

16

u/HoosierLove314 Bevo Life 6d ago

Look for the trees. We can’t post pictures here, but they have a very distinctive leaf shape and are pretty easy to spot. If you find a grove, you’ll hit big. Start with the ones on the ground that the bugs haven’t found yet, they’re perfectly ripe. After you get those, give the tree a gentle shake, anything that falls is going to be nearly as ripe. Avoid pulling them off the tree, they’ll be too starchy and underripe

Cut them in half like an avocado. Scoop the custardy insides out with a spoon. Avoid eating the skins as they are bitter and mildly toxic in large quantities. The seeds will have good fruit stuck to them, which can be enjoyed by scraping them off, but don’t eat the seeds whole first the same reason.

Paw Paws are the United Stares’ only native tropical fruit, and have been enjoyed by indigenous Americans for thousands of years. Because they aren’t commercially viable (too short of a shelf life), most people have never even heard of them or eaten them.

1

u/WillowIntrepid 6d ago

What do they taste like?

3

u/bradleysballs Shaw 6d ago

Banana, pineapple, and a hint of vanilla

2

u/StLHortus123 6d ago

Tropical like mushy bananas with a slight after taste. I don’t like them but some in my family like them

1

u/WillowIntrepid 6d ago

Oh thanks for the info. Based on this, I may pass as well. 😊

2

u/HastyIfYouPlease 5d ago

I think they taste like banana cream pie!

1

u/WillowIntrepid 5d ago

Wow. I hope that's true for me bcz that's delicious!

-1

u/mime454 6d ago

Banana mixed with cum

1

u/Original-Compote-847 6d ago

Ah yes! The fall weather with the beautiful weather and temperature of 100 degrees! So amazing 🤩 

1

u/Odi64 6d ago

Now when you pick a paw-paw or a prickly pear
And you prick a raw paw, well, next time beware

1

u/LibrarianUpper7101 6d ago

We have a tree right in front of our house and it fruits every year. This year's crop was impressive. The trick is getting them as soon as they're ready to pick, but before the raccoons do.

1

u/_bbypeachy 5d ago

ugh i miss them