Traces of Stone Age settlements have been found on St. Maarten, dating back to 4,000 BC. Around 800 AD, most Caribbean islands were settled by Arawak Indians, who arrived from South America to settle down to a life of fishing, hunting and farming. Settlers who arrived afterwards also lived off our land; planting crops year-round to feed themselves and their families. Though we have a long history of farming on our island, we do not grow much of our food ourselves. Most of the food we consume is imported from different countries.
It is actually a shame that many of us do not grow our own food as there are several benefits! First of all, the cost of everything seems to be higher these days, especially at the grocery store – a trip you can't skip. When you grow your own food, you can skip a visit or two to the supermarket, or at least lower your grocery bills.
You are also saving the environment if you grow your own vegetables or fruit. By reducing the amount you get from stores, you are also cutting down on pollution and the cost of transportation. Gardening also beautifies your home, garden and neighbourhood! Besides all these benefits, growing your own food is most importantly HEALTHY!
Many studies have shown that organically grown food has more of the minerals and nutrients that we need than food that is grown with synthetic pesticides. There’s a good reason why many chefs use organic foods in their recipes – they taste better. Organic farming starts with the nourishment of the soil, which eventually leads to the nourishment of the plant and ultimately our bodies.
The following are some of these healthy benefits:
Healthier eating habits
“You are what you eat.” Everyone knows that to feel and be healthy, you also need to make sure that what you are consuming is healthy. When you grow your own vegetables, fruits and herbs, you increase the likelihood of eating these healthy foods. After all, you can’t grow chips, ice cream or French fries in your backyard garden.
It can also make your family live healthier lives on the whole. Studies of after-school gardening programs suggest that kids who garden are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables. Plus, foods fresh from the garden can taste better than those same foods from the grocery store, which are usually picked before they are allowed to ripen.
It is safer
It can be hard to know what types of fertilizers or pesticides are used on various fruits and vegetables. The average child receives four times more exposure than an adult to at least eight widely used cancer-causing pesticides in food. Food choices you make now will impact your child’s future health. Thoroughly washing produce before you use it can help prevent you and your family from ingesting any of these chemicals. But growing your own produce will remove the guesswork and ensure you know exactly what you are putting in your body.
You get active
Even light or moderate gardening counts toward meeting daily exercise goals, burning up to 330 calories in just one hour. Research has shown that regular gardening can cut the risk of a heart attack or stroke and prolong life by as much as 30 percent for adults over 60.
Makes you happy
Many experienced gardeners rave about the peace they feel when they dig in the dirt. The combination of being outside and being active, and the satisfaction of doing work all benefit mood and mental health.
A neat study by Bristol University shows that contact with dirt can strengthen the immune system, and dirt also contains a natural antidepressant called Mycobacterium vaccae. According to research, this particular antidepressant microbe causes cytokine levels to increase, which in turn boosts the production of serotonin. Being out in the sun and (safely with sunscreen) catching some rays is also good for your mood and immune system.
How to start growing your own garden at home
Growing fruits and vegetables seems overwhelming to most people, but it’s actually much simpler than it sounds. You also don’t need a large piece of land to garden. All you need is a few square feet of space, a water source, and a little time.
First head to a local gardening store. Not only can you get supplies there, but you can also ask for advice on what vegetables, fruits and/or herbs will be easiest and best to grow in our Sint Maarten climate and in the (limited) space you have. You can opt to grow crops in your garden, but can even choose to do so in a few containers on your patio.
One of the easier options is getting herbs like thyme, chives, basil and rosemary. You can buy them easily already grown and ready to use, or opt for planting them as seeds. They do not need large containers, and you can just pick the leaves as you need them. They just need some trimming, water and love once in a while.
If you want to try growing a few vegetables, some of the easiest vegetables to grow are lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, carrots and radishes. Get your seeds or seedlings from a local gardener or gardening store to make sure you get types that withstand our hot weather. Fruit trees and bushes can take a bit more time and skill to grow, but once you know you like gardening and want to expand, why not give it a try? Peach trees, for example, take only about a year to grow large enough to bear fruit!
For beginners, who want to learn more about the basics of gardening, a huge and somewhat overwhelming variety of information is available on the internet and in bookstores. But one of the best ways to get started is to meet some other gardeners! Just ask around for information, visit Bushman at Ital Shack, or the gardening project in Bellevue for example.
Remember this: It’s better to be proud of a small garden than to be frustrated by a big one! So start small. Happy gardening and healthy living!
