As many of you know, I planted Date pits and actually sprouted some Date Palms. One of them last year, in it's then 3rd. year, produced some seed-like pods which we hoped were fruit. Nothing came of them. About a week ago, looking closely out back, the Palm below, grown from a pit out in the garage, and transplanted in our backyard, had a new brown stalk coming out. Look very closely at that stalk: Here's the real thing, we hope! Sure have the right shape. We are exuberant, both being from the Midwest, where something like Dates are a delicacy relegated to the Arabian Nights or something!
That is totally awesome, @Frank Sanoica ! It certainly does look like you are actually getting dates this year, and every year, you should get a larger crop. I looked at pictures online, and some of those larger date palms are just loaded with green dates. Apparently, you have to soak them in lemon water and then dry them before you eat the dates, according to online instructions about preparing the dates. I am sure that you have been reading up on date-harvesting; but here is an article just in case you haven't started doing the research yet. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/ripen-dates-77491.html
@Yvonne Smith Thank you! I have actually read nothing yet regarding preparation of the fruit. One time years ago, my wife & I were at Death Valley, Wintertime, and found a bunch of Date Palms which had dropped many ripened dates to the ground. We picked up and ate a bunch; they were luscious! Frank