Lifestyle & DIY Projects Plants & Vegetation susan August 2, 2024

The Sweet Problem of Plenty: Conquering the Mango Harvest (and Other Garden Gluts!)

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Hey fellow green thumbs! Susan here, your resident garden enthusiast, and let me tell you, there are few things more satisfying than watching your garden flourish under your care. But sometimes, that success comes with a delightful dilemma: a harvest so bountiful it feels like you’re drowning in deliciousness!

Anyone who’s ever grown zucchini knows the feeling. One day, it’s a cute little bud, and the next, you’re dodging baseball bat-sized veggies in the garden! But today, we’re tackling the sweet, juicy, sunshine-y challenge of a bumper crop of mangoes.

Now, you might be thinking, “What’s so bad about having too many mangoes?” And you’re right, on the surface, it sounds like a dream come true. But as any seasoned gardener will tell you, managing a massive harvest takes planning, creativity, and maybe even a little help from your friends!

So, let’s dive into the wonderful world of mango abundance and explore some clever ways to make the most of this tropical treasure.

A Permaculture Perspective: It’s Not Just About the Design!

Permaculture, for those unfamiliar, is a design philosophy centered around creating sustainable, self-sufficient systems that mimic the natural world. We often focus on clever design elements: hugelkultur beds, water catchment systems, and companion planting. And while these are all incredibly important, there’s another crucial aspect we need to discuss: harvest management.

See, a well-designed permaculture system will often reward you with an abundance of produce. And that’s fantastic! But it also means we need to be prepared to handle that abundance responsibly. Just like nature, we need to find multiple uses for our harvest, minimize waste, and share the bounty.

Mango Madness: When Life Gives You Mangoes…

Mangoes are a prime example of this beautiful bounty. Those glorious trees shower us with a short but incredibly intense fruiting season. One day you’re eagerly anticipating the first ripe fruit, and the next, you’re dodging falling mangoes like they’re tiny, delicious meteorites!

This is precisely the situation my friends (and fellow permaculture enthusiasts) found themselves in. They returned to their Panama property, a haven boasting several mature mango trees, just in time for mango season. Add to that the generous (or perhaps overwhelmed) neighbors offering up even more mangoes, and they had a full-blown mango situation on their hands!

From Tree to Table (and Beyond!): Creative Ways to Use Your Mango Bounty

The initial excitement of endless mango smoothies and cobblers quickly turned into a race against time. How do you use up a mountain of mangoes before they overripen? Don’t worry, my friends, I’ve got you covered!

Here’s a peek at their mango-tastic adventures (and some tips you can steal!):

Preservation Power:
- Jams and Chutneys: Mango jam is a classic for a reason! It’s incredibly easy to make, and the sweet, tangy flavor is perfect on toast, yogurt, or even as a glaze for grilled chicken or tofu. Mango chutney, with its savory and spicy notes, is another fantastic way to preserve the season’s bounty.
- Canning and Freezing: Canning mango puree or chunks is a great way to enjoy that fresh-from-the-tree flavor year-round. You can also freeze mango chunks on a baking sheet and then store them in freezer-safe bags for smoothies, desserts, or even a quick and refreshing snack.
- Drying: Dehydrated mango slices are like nature’s candy! They’re chewy, flavorful, and perfect for snacking or adding to trail mixes.
Culinary Creativity:
- Smoothies and Juices: Let’s be honest, you can never have too many mango smoothie recipes in your arsenal! Get creative with your add-ins: spinach or kale for a nutritional boost, ginger for a bit of zing, or even avocado for a creamy, satisfying treat.
- Ice Cream and Sorbet: Cool down on those hot summer days with homemade mango ice cream or sorbet. You can keep it simple with just a few ingredients, or get fancy with add-ins like coconut milk, lime zest, or chopped nuts.
- Pickles: Yes, you read that right! Pickled mango might sound unusual, but trust me, it’s delicious. The sweet and sour flavors, with a touch of heat from chilies, make a fantastic condiment for tacos, sandwiches, or even cheese boards.
Beyond the Kitchen:
- Gifts from the Garden: Spread the mango love! Share your bounty with friends, family, and neighbors. A basket of fresh mangoes or a jar of homemade jam makes a thoughtful and delicious gift.
- Feed the Soil: Remember those permaculture principles? Even with the best intentions, you might end up with some overripe mangoes. Don’t despair! Add them to your compost pile or use them as a natural fertilizer for your garden.

Embracing Imperfection: It’s Okay to Let Go (and Let Nature Do Its Thing!)

As my friends quickly learned, even with the most dedicated efforts, it’s nearly impossible to utilize every single mango from a mature tree. And that’s okay!

One of the most valuable lessons permaculture teaches us is to work with nature, not against it. In nature, not every fruit gets eaten. Fallen fruit serves a vital purpose, decomposing and returning nutrients to the soil, feeding insects and animals, and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

So, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by your mango abundance, take a deep breath and remember: it’s okay to let some go. Add them to your compost, create a designated “fruit drop zone” under your trees, or simply let nature take its course.

Harvesting Wisdom: Lessons from the Mango Mania

The experience of my friends highlights several important lessons for any gardener:

Plan for Abundance: When designing your garden, consider the potential yield of your plants, especially those known for their prolific production (like zucchini and, yes, mangoes!).
Diversify Your Preservation Techniques: Don’t limit yourself to just one or two methods of preserving your harvest. Explore different techniques to maximize your yield and enjoy your bounty throughout the year.
Share the Wealth: Don’t be afraid to share your excess harvest with friends, family, and neighbors. It’s a wonderful way to build community and reduce food waste.
Embrace the Cycle: Remember that nature is cyclical. There will be times of abundance and times of scarcity. Learn to work with these natural rhythms and appreciate the bounty when it arrives.

More Than Just Mangoes: Other Garden Gluts and How to Handle Them

The principles we’ve discussed apply to a wide range of garden crops. Here are a few other common “glut” culprits and some ideas for managing their abundance:

Zucchini: Zucchini bread, zucchini fritters, zucchini noodles (zoodles!), grilled zucchini, stuffed zucchini…the possibilities are endless! You can also freeze grated zucchini for later use in baking.
Tomatoes: Canning tomato sauce, salsa, or whole tomatoes is a great way to preserve the season’s harvest. You can also freeze tomatoes whole or chopped for later use.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers are incredibly versatile! Enjoy them fresh in salads, make pickles, try your hand at refrigerator pickles, or blend them into refreshing summer soups.
Herbs: Preserve your herb harvest by drying, freezing, or infusing them in oil or vinegar. You can also make herb butters, pestos, or even herb-infused salts.

The Joy of a Bountiful Harvest

While managing a massive harvest can feel overwhelming at times, it’s ultimately a joyful experience. It’s a testament to your hard work, your connection to nature, and your ability to provide for yourself and others.

So, the next time you find yourself facing a mountain of mangoes (or any other garden bounty), don’t despair! Embrace the abundance, get creative, and enjoy the delicious rewards of your labor.

Happy Harvesting!

Susan

P.S. I’d love to hear your tips and tricks for managing a bountiful harvest! Share your favorite recipes, preservation methods, and creative uses for surplus produce in the comments below.

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