Many Jamaicans have grown crops successfully in their backyards or apartments using pots, pans or anything else in which they could put soil. With the high prices and generally unstable food supply situation now facing Jamaica, gardens will help citizens to supplement their diet. Short-term vegetables, condiments and herbs are particularly suited to ongoing production in backyard gardens. They supply energy, vitamins and minerals essential to good nutrition as well as the exotic flavours characteristic of Jamaican food. Backyard gardening also brings savings, exercise, a greater appreciation for nature and the satisfaction of knowing that you grew your own food.

Getting ready to start your garden
An area that receives sunlight at least six hours per day is best.

1. Clear the land of stones, tins, etc., leaving a free area in which to grow crops.
2. Fork the soil to a depth of 25-30 cm (10 – 12 in.) breaking up large particles
3. Add manure and compost where available. This is most important for sandy or clay soils.
4. Make raised beds 90 cm (3 ft) wide and 20 – 30 cm (8 – 12 in.) high.
5. Protect the area from animals e.g. with a fence

Crops to grow
Some nutritious foods which are easy to grow are callaloo, pak choi, beans, cucumbers, okra, corn, 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.





Growing seedlings
Sow the seeds in a seed-box or commercial seedling tray.
For a seed-box, sand, loamy soil, manure, coir (optional), straw, small stones and a box or similar container with drainage holes at the bottom are needed

1. Mix together 1 part sand, 2 parts clean loamy soil, 1 part well broken down farmyard manure and 1 part coir dust. Alternatively, commercially prepared potting mix may be used by itself.

2. Put small stones over holes in container and straw over stones so soil will not fall out

3. Fill box with soil mixture or potting mix.

4. To kill pests and some disease organisms, pour boiling water on the soil to soak it properly. Most commercial potting mixtures are already sterilized.

5. After the soil has cooled and drained, level the seedbed and make rows 8 cm (3 in) apart.

6. Sow seeds singly in rows and cover to a depth of 0.5 - 1 cm (1/4 - 1/2 in)

7. Water lightly, cover with plastic to retain moisture, place box in a cool area and check daily for sprouting.

8. When the first two true leaves open fully, water with a fertilizer starter solution and at 3-day intervals after.

Commercial seedling trays are inexpensive, very convenient and used as above, with the following exceptions. Fill the tray with potting mix; plant a single seed in a hole sunk in the middle of each cell.

Transplant seedlings when they reach 10-15 cm (4-6 in) tall.

Manure: Plants need fertile soil to produce properly. Well broken down manures should be mixed into the soil at least 3 weeks before planting. Use 1 kg (2 lb) chicken manure or 4 kg (8 lb) cattle/goat manure per square metre (yard) of beds. Compost: Compost is a dark, crumbly, soil-like material produced from organic material (e.g. animal manures, lawn clippings, kitchen wastes). Compost is made by arranging alternate 15 – 30 cm (6-12 in) lightly moistened layers of organic material and 3-5 cm (1 – 2 inch) of soil in a pile or compost bin at least 1 m (1yd) and any length. The pile is turned at 3 week intervals to mix layers together. After 5-8 months, compost is produced and ready to be added to the soil.
Fertilizer: Inorganic fertilizers provide plant nutrients. The 3 major nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potash (K), are often sold in different mixtures/grades of these macro-nutrients: 11-22-22 grade has 11% nitrogen, 22% phosphate and 22% potash. Fertilizers 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.
Water: Vegetables need a regular supply of water. Clay soils hold water longer than sandy soils. High organic matter levels in soil also help hold water. Over-watering suffocates roots causing disease and death. A layer of dried grass 5-10 cm (2-4 in) thick, or black plastic over the bed will retain soil moisture and keep down weeds. Rainwater collected from roofs will help save on domestic water. Covering with fine mesh (e.g. insect-proof greenhouse mesh) to prevent mosquito breeding, is critical.

Spacing
Vegetables need adequate space to develop properly and prevent conditions for disease buildup. Follow recommended distances listed on commercial seed packets.

Crops such as tomato and cucumbers are supported using

Rotation
Crop groups grown in the same piece of land should be changed routinely to help avoid soil pest and disease buildup, make best use of fertilizer and build soil fertility. Legumes (e.g. peas, beans) followed by leafy vegetables (e.g. callaloo, pak choi) then fruit or
tuber vegetables (tomato, pepper, beet, radish) may be used in this way.

Pests and diseases
Be on the look-out for pests and diseases which will almost certainly attack your plant. They feed on the leaves, making holes, mines or almost completely destroying them. Others eat the fruit or suck sap from plants, causing disease. Check plants once or twice weekly, hand-pick and squash pests. Marigold or garlic plants in the garden will repel some insects and insect-proof screens placed over plants will keep insects away. Natural enemies of insects will destroy many pests. These helpful creatures include spiders, many wasps and others.

Simple pesticides may be made at home. Soaps will kill many soft-bodies insects e.g. aphids, white flies. Use 2-3 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of liquid soap per 4 litres water. Garlic and onion, properly blended, filtered and sprayed on the plants will also repel some insects.

Plant diseases are caused by numerous micro-organisms which cause spots, wilts, blights, distorted growth etc. 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. Only healthy seeds, seedlings, disease-free soil and tools should be used. Give plants the required nutrients, water and supports (e.g. trellising). Remove infested material and add to a compost pile or bury.

Where all this fails, a pesticide may be needed. Correctly identify the problem before treatment.

Pesticides use precautions
Pesticides are poisons and must be handled with extreme care.

Weeds
Weeds in your garden rob the plants of food and water so remove them as early as possible. Do this by pulling or using a machete, hoe or garden fork. This is best done before they set seeds.

Container Gardening
If you have very little space e.g. in an apartment, you may plant in containers e.g. old pots, car tyres, flower pots or metal drums cut in half. A loamy, free-draining soil is best for containers. Otherwise three (3) parts clay or sandy soil may be mixed with two parts organic matter. Place containers in a fully sunlit area and follow growing practices mentioned above.

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Harvesting
Most vegetables are ready for harvest within three months. Callaloo, lettuce, cucumber, radish may be reaped after about 6 weeks; tomato, pepper, red peas require 3 months.