With Bob McDonough at Greenfingers
In 1983, Bob McDonough founded Greenfingers, which offers everything you need for your garden. Today, the company remains the leading garden supply store on Sint Maarten with two locations, one in Pointe Blanche and one in Cole Bay.
Bob found his love of gardening when he was twelve. His hobby quickly turned into a business opportunity. He started a pachysandra nursery and planting company at just thirteen years old. His business grew, and throughout his high school and college career, Bob earned extra cash through gardening endeavours.
One day, during a speech given at his university where he was studying electrical engineering, the speaker said: “If you can make something you love doing your business, you will always be happy.” Bob had an epiphany and realized he was already making money with what he loved to do. A few years later Greenfingers was founded.
Bob doesn’t just sell plants and gardening equipment at Greenfingers, gardening is also part of his daily life at home. At home, he has a 40-foot by 3-foot garden. Bob: “My wife is Peruvian. In Peru, everything is fresh, thus to make her happy she needs fresh ingredients to cook with.”
Making his wife happy isn’t the only benefit of growing his own garden. Most people who have tasted fresh versus imported food items know this as well. Locally-sourced food has better taste, is more nutritious, and is often exposed to less or no chemicals.
Bob: “You can use a bushel of cilantro that you got at a supermarket and taste basically nothing, or take a few leaves from your own garden and taste a world of difference. It is also nice to know that any food I grow has no added harmful substances. When you buy tomatoes in the supermarket, from wherever, you have no idea what chemicals they put in the soil or on the plant.”
The risk from pesticides on conventional produce varies from very low to very high, depending on the type of produce and the country where it’s grown.
While these chemicals help to protect farmer’s yields, they can be incredibly harmful to people and the environment. After countless studies, pesticides have been linked to cancer, harmful reproductive and developmental effects, kidney- and liver damage, hormone disruption, and more.
On an island with many supermarkets, but little agriculture, it might seem difficult to buy and consume locally-sourced food. However, you would be surprised to know that there are quite a few people who grow their own food. “There are quite a few avid gardeners on the island. Their products, of course, often go to neighbours, friends and family. You also have to start thinking more seasonal; sometimes you will have to make a lot of dishes with tomatoes, sometimes with eggplants, etc.” Bob explains.
Instead of going on a long journey to find these sources, you can also just start your own garden. You don’t need to be an avid gardener, or even have a big garden to do so. Bob: “Gardening is a very creative hobby. All you need is a container, light, some dirt, water, seeds and perspiration. Start small, with a few pots on your patio and build from there. Experiment and you will learn how to grow your own garden by trial and error. Grow what you are going to use and enjoy, this way the work pays off.”
He advises starting with basil, an ‘idiot proof’ plant. Other plants such as parsley, arugula, leafy lettuce, bok choy, and chives are a good starting point as well. Cherry tomatoes and eggplants are a bit more work, but do well in St. Maarten’s climate.
What is the mistake most people make according to Bob: “Watering their plants too much!”
For more information and supplies to create your own edible garden, head to Greenfingers on Goldfinch Rd #8 - Pointe Blanche or Dr H.C. Tjon Sie Fat Street #9, Cole Bay.
