Making the most of her home gardening skills |28 October 2016

Ms Gill tending to her plants

Before following sessions earlier this year to enhance her gardening skills she used to grow one or two banana trees as well as a small plot full of cassava which really did not need much attention afterwards.  But now she grows almost all the vegetables, green spices and salad she needs, the excess she shares with neighbours and even has enough to sell.

It is in the compound of her home at Bel Air that Merna Gill does her gardening in different containers including flowerpots, pieces of water drain pipes hanging from her verandah and placed at different intervals on the lawn. These include watercress, rosemary, parsley, thyme to name but some.

Ms Gill’s interest in gardening has increased greatly following home gardening capacity building sessions under the CLISSA programme conducted by gardening expert Gabriel Prudence.

“What I learned from the sessions further strengthened what I already know, corrected what I was doing wrong and really revived my interest in gardening,” Ms Gill said.

During a short visit to her home in the hills at Bel Air I had a chance to admire her treasures both at the front and at the back of her house.

Tomatoes, eggplants, lettuce, chillies and even a small patch of carrots.

Further up on the most hilly part of her small terrain there stand a few banana trees, a small plot containing cassava, pawpaw and pineapples among other popular crops.

“I am more than certain that this Christmas I will have home-grown pineapples,” she said pointing to the much sought after expensive fruits growing in abundance.

A primary school teacher with very little time, Ms Gill said she tries her best to make time for gardening and to ensure her plants have all the nutrients and tender loving care they require to grow healthily.

“My greatest challenge is time. With the new skills I have acquired, I would love to have more time to dedicate to my new passion,” Ms Gill said.

Ms Gill is grateful to her family who gives her their support. Her husband sources out manure, dry cut grass and other material she needs.

“I am really happy with what I can now do and as I can grow almost all that I need, I do not have to go to the market often anymore and I do quite a bit of savings too,” she said.

Other than all the great economic and health benefits of gardening, Ms Gill says it is a great way to relax after a hectic day at school.

“The little time that I have I really enjoy my plants – talking to them rummaging through the leaves for any hidden pests or pull off dead leaves and tilling the soil to ensure good air and water circulation,” Ms Gill pointed out.

Ms Gill says she will continue to grow the produce she needs and diversifying as well as experimenting with new ones along the way.