Grow your own food
WITH THE general unstable movement of food prices in Jamaica, it's highly recommended that people begin to consider backyard gardening as an option. This will help not only in saving money, but also in promoting healthy eating.
Bridgette Williams, youth in agriculture coordinator at the Rural Agriculture Development Authority's head office, is encouraging people to engage in the practice to help supplement their diet.
"With the current food crisis, it is very important for persons to grow their own food to buffer the effect. Short-term vegetables, condiments and herbs are particularly suited to ongoing production in backyard gardens," Williams said.
"Persons with very little space may plant in containers," Williams said. "The only difference is the quantity. It may not be as much as persons want, but the quality would be the same," she explained.
Williams added that these short-term products supply energy, vitamins and minerals essential to good nutrition. So exercise a greater appreciation for nature and get the satisfaction of knowing that you grow your own food by starting a backyard garden today!
GETTING READY TO START YOUR GARDEN
- Clear the land of stones and tins; leaving a free area in which to grow crops.
- Fork the soil to a depth of 25-30 centimetres, breaking up large particles.
- Add manure and compost where available.
- Make raised beds 90cm high.
- Protect the area from animals, for example with a fence.
GROWING SEEDLINGS
- Mix together one part sand, two parts clean loamy soil, one part broken-down farmyard manure and one part coir dust.
- Put small stones over holes in containers and straw over stones, so soil will not fall out.
- Fill box with soil mixture or potting mix.
- To kill pests and some disease organisms, pour boiling water on the soil to soak it properly.
- After the soil has cooled and drained, level the seedbed and make rows eight centimetres apart.
- Sow seeds singly in rows and cover to a depth of half to one centimetre.
- Water lightly, cover with plastic to retain moisture, place box in a cool area and check daily for sprouting.
- When the first two true leaves open fully, water with a fertiliser starter solution and at three-day intervals after.
TAKING CARE OF THE GARDEN
1. Plants need fertile soil to produce properly. Fertilisers may be placed in moist soil before planting or afterwards around the base of plants. They should not come in direct contact with the plant and must be covered to prevent loss.
2. Vegetables need a regular supply of water. Clayey soils hold water longer than sandy soils. High organic matter in soil also holds water.
3. Over-watering suffocates roots causing disease and death.
4. A layer of dried grass five to 10 centimetres thick, or black plastic over the bed will retain soil moisture and keep down weeds.
5. Rainwater collected from the roofs will help save on domestic water.
6. Covering with fine mesh to prevent mosquito breeding is critical.
7. Plant diseases are caused by numerous micro-organisms that cause spots, wilts, blights and distorted growth. If the conditions for disease development are not present, the disease will not occur. Therefore, the garden should not be too damp, crowded or shaded.
CROPS TO GROW
Some nutritious foods which are easy to grow are callaloo, pak choi, beans, cucumber, okra, carrot, tomato and cabbage. Sweet potato will also grow easily, but requires more space. If you are a beginner, start with only two or three crops until you become accustomed to operating a garden.
HARVESTING
Most vegetables are ready for harvest within three months. Callaloo, lettuce, cucumber, radish may be reaped after six months; tomato, pepper, red peas require three months.