If your Trini herb garden is still thriving or for the most case alive, you are ready to up the ante and begin planting some vegetables. Either that or you just heard the budget and need to find some ways to cut back on your food bill. Either way, it’s time to plant your very own vegetable garden for fresh, organic and delicious produce! You will be amazed by the sweet, juicy flavors and vibrant textures that you will harvest!   Start by thinking about what you purchase in stores the most or what seems to be too expensive so you can save some money. For me, I love sweet peppers with my pasta, omelets and salads and pimentos in basically anything from my macaroni pie to homemade pizza so these were must haves for me!   Here are some popular selections: VEGETABLES Tomatoes Bell Peppers Pimentos Melongene/ Eggplant Lettuce Cabbage Kale Cucumber Cauliflower Broccoli Once you know what you want to plant, it’s time to make your vegetable ga...

If you are a Trinbagonian Rogue Gardener, you’ve probably heard a couple of these common phrases thrown at you. If not, this is a disclaimer that my mom may be crazy and overprotective… Whenever I garden too early in the morning…. ·        Drink some tea before you fall down in the garden ·        Yuh eat breakfast yet? What yuh doing out there? Whenever I garden mid-morning…. ·        You know in my days we didn’t have sunblock, we use to make straw hats or cover we head with a jersey… Whenever I garden in the evening… ·        Put on some long pants in the garden. You ain’t fraid something bite yuh fine legs? ·        Rub some Vaseline on it to stop the scratching  Whenever I ask for things to add to my compost... ·        Compost? I don’t have time for dat! Mom in he...

One thing I love about gardening is that you can make a meal, a side dish or a quick snack from your produce. Because I grow a lot of okra I have tried several recipes that have become household favorites as a snack or a healthy side.   OKRA BITES Fried okra may not be the healthiest way to consume okra but boy oh boy is it delicious. This recipe packs a really nice crunch that leads into the delicate and flavorful okra. Who can resist Okra dredged in seasoned cornmeal, then fried until golden? This recipe only takes 25 minutes with 4 servings and it's super versatile because you can change it up in so many different ways. Ingredients 10 pods okra sliced in 1/4 inch pieces 1 egg beaten OR Buttermilk 3/4 cup cornmeal flour  1/4 cup white flour 1 tablespoon garlic powder 2 tablespoons of all-purpose seasoning 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional if you are watching your salt intake)  1/4 teaspoon ground black pep...

It’s a great feeling being able to convert your trash into the usable and nutritious soil for close to nothing! In my last blog, Stop, Drop and Compost!  I talked about what materials are good for composting and what should be avoided. Today I want to share some DIY tips for creating an indoor compost and outdoor composting heap. It does not matter what size of garden you are working with or even if you are indoors, re-purposing your waste by composting is possible!   In my view, container composting is so much more convenient as you have the ability to relocate your compost should the need arise.  FOUR STEPS TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN YOUR CONTAINER COMPOST Step 1: Recycle or buy a plastic bin at least 24 inches tall with a tight-fitting lid (will keep the scent in, keep the soil moist and keep critters out). Step 2: Use a drill or knife to make 8 – 10 small holes in the bottom of the container as well as in the lid for drainage and aeration purpo...

I have become obsessed with composting. So much so, when I visit my mom I leave with her ‘garbage’ and I always complain if I found out that she threw away something that could have been composted. Composting is easy and there are several reasons why you should start your own compost today.  THE BENEFITS OF COMPOSTING  Whether you are an indoor or outdoor gardener, everyone has room for composting especially as composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage can (fewer trips to the garbage!). Composting offers a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers, s oil conditioners and bagged manure- saving you money! Compost enriches soil health, plants grown in healthy soil look better, produce better and have a much greater ability to fight off pests and diseases.  Compost also builds soil structure; improves drainage; creates more water-holding ability. Feeding your plants well will improve your own diet as plants grown in deple...

Everything has a beginning, I mean even the chicken started with the egg, right? Your garden is no different, you need to start by sourcing seedlings or seeds. SEEDLINGS These seedlings can be affordably purchased at various plant shops throughout Trinidad and Tobago from as low as 50 ₵ ! So for example, a 50 ₵  investment in okra seedlings can earn you over $200 in crops when harvested. Selecting seedlings can make or break your garden so be sure that you: Check the foliage:  Leaves should be a consistent strong solid colour (usually     green). Avoid yellow leaves, it can mean that the seedling is lacking a nutrient.  Buds, not flowers:  Select flower seedlings or small potted plants that have more buds rather than already flowering – you’ll get to enjoy your flowers longer! Check for hitchhikers : Look carefully on the underside of leaves because common garden pests like whitefly, aphids, and mealybug like to hide out...