How to Plant and Grow Sugarcane in Rows (Even Outside the Tropics)

Today Daisy and I share how to plant sugarcane cuttings and how to grow sugar cane in a row garden in zones 8, 9 and beyond.Show more

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How to Grow Sugarcane (Even Outside the Tropics)

Sugarcane is easy to grow from zone 8 on through the tropics. Today, Daisy and I will demonstrate how we plant them in rows.

Fall is the time to plant sugarcane in the Deep South. Till up an area in which to plant and rake out all the weeds and grass you can.

Then, dig some trenches about 3-4' apart. We make our trenches about six inches deep.

Once you have your trenches ready, it's time to plant your cane. But first you need some cane cuttings! Though some sugarcane varieties set seed, cuttings are the normal method for growing sugarcane. You can get canes from a farmer's market or ethnic market, or online, then chop them up so each cane has a few nodes. We throw away the top, immature part of the cane and use the rest for planting.

How to Plant Sugarcane

We lay out cane cuttings in our trenches, end to end, continuing until all the trenches are planted. Then we cover over the trenches with soil.

In a climate with winter frosts, it may also be beneficial to mulch the ground to project the canes from freezing. We throw down whatever mulch we have, from old sugarcane leaves to tree leaves, to straw or wood chips.

When Does Sugarcane Sprout?

Now all you have to do is wait until spring. When the weather warms, your cane will start sprouting. It looks like little corn sprouts as it comes up, then rapidly thickens and grows as the weather gets hotter. At the end of the season, before the first hard frost, harvest your canes for sale for making juice, syrup, sugar or other exciting things. A patch of sugarcane can last for years and will regrow the next spring when the weather warms.

Uses of Sugarcane

Sugarcane can be used to make cane syrup, juice, sugar and rum. It's also a beautiful ornamental.

Thanks for watching!