Deep in the dark water swamps and hammocks of the lower South, down along the sandy riverbanks, grows the wispy, delicate Mayhaw tree. For generations, southerners have made the yearly trek by boat to harvest the floating orange fruit with nets. The fruits are boiled in a kettle until they burst open and release their flavor. The juice is strained to make a beautiful pale coral jelly. The flavor is exquisite, like sweet apple with overtones of mango and an aroma of pineapple. When you can find Mayhaw jelly in elite gift shops or progressive produce stands, it will cost around $6 a pint and is well worth it. The success of modern day Mayhaw growing can be attributed to Sherwood Atkins, famous for "taking the swamp out of the Mayhaw."

Mr. Atkins spent long days in the Lousiana swamps locating superior varieties of Mayhaw that will survive and thrive in ordinary garden soils. His premier variety, "Super Spur" yields 40-plus gallons of fruit at 8 years old.

Mayhaw needs little care: just provide a good vegetable garden soil and fertilizer. You can forget about having to spray or pamper this old swamp treasure. Our trees are grafted on wild Cratageous rootstock. Most Mayhaws need pollinators. They prefer part sun to shade and moist, well-drained soils. Buy two for cross pollination.

T.R. Barnette's Mayhaw Jelly

Ralph "T.R." Barnette was Val's grandfather and a country farmer from Alabama mistakenly stuck in the modern world of suburban Tallahassee. He crammed his 1/4 acre lot full of fruit trees, organic gardens and edible flowers that he used in salads. He made wine and jelly out of everything. A visit to his garden left you with a wealth of knowledge and a little tipsy from tasting his funky wines. His most treasured plant, however, was his beloved Mayhaw tree. What follows is his recipe, which has been handed down to friends and family. T.R. didn't use Surejell and didn't think too highly of people who did, so it takes a little longer.

Mayhaw Varieties (Cratageous opaca) grafted on mayhaw seedlings

BETSY Heavy bearer with very large red, round fruit. The flesh is bright red. Ripens early May. Needs pollinator. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

BIG RED Upright spreading tree, large fragrant fruit, red-skinned with pink flesh. Late-blooming, ripens in late April-Early May. Needs pollinator. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

ELITE Cold-hardy variety with large up to 3/4 inch deep red fruit. Tree are highly productive. Needs pollinator. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

GEORGIA GEM Just a cloud of white when in bloom in spring. Light red fruit is up to 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Red flesh makes a dark, coral jelly. Ripens mid-late May. Needs pollinator. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

RELIABLE Late bloomer, rarely caught in late frost. Large, 3/4 inch fruit with bright red skin. Excellent flavor. Ripens mid-late May. Needs pollinator. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

Just the Facts
Not sure what to do with mayhaws or how to grow them right? DON'T PANIC! Push the panic button and we will give you "Just the Facts" you need to successfully grow them.

Are we out of what you are looking for? Email us at Justfruits@hotmail.com and we'll put you on the "Call When Available" list. We will call you!

Please come to see us if you can (Wednesday to Sunday, 9:05-5:08). We are located 19 miles south of Tallahassee, just off US Highway 98, 1 mile east of the intersection with US Highway 319 (South of Crawfordville center and actually in the village of Medart). If you need further directions, feel free to call us at 1-850-926-5644 or enter 30 St. Frances St. Crawforville FL 32327 (or Just Fruits Nursery) into Google Maps ( CLICK HERE).