The second week of the Skill Enhancement Program at St Peters Community Garden Research and Development Center continue as volunteer get more into their tasks at hand. The past week, the clean up, salvaging and removal of unwanted debris continued as seeds await germination.
This week was another great week. With a good freshly prepared meal everyday, volunteer keep their momentum going and have the energy they need to be as effective throughout the day as we can while continuously building great team spirit. Volunteer Richard James also brought some of his Micro Greens such as Broccoli and Radish he grows at home for us to eat with our daily meals.
Soil preparation and assessments demonstration were conducted, over 100 plants were transplanted and over 500 seeds were set for germination.
Plants transplanted: Shadow Benny, Season Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sweet Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Guava Trees, Cashew Trees, Avocado, Sorrel, Basil and Callaloo.
Seed sets for germination : Viola, Okra, Sorrel, Tomatoes, Spinach, Tarragon, Nasturtium, Butter Crunch Lettuce and Cord Salad.
Volunteers also visited Veteran Farmer Ras Tuza Jah Bash where we shared additional knowledge on a crop types we were cultivating and researching at the St Peters Community Garden. We exchanged produce harvest from the community garden with the elder and receive fresh 100% Organic Corn and a Chinese vegetable called ‘Angled Loofah’’ of the Cucurbitaceae Family grown at his home ’’. The Loofah Family has a few different characteristics amounts the different varieties but all with great health benefits even down to skin care. The Angled Loofah, some Chinese call it ‘’ Chinese Okra’’ and in its mature stage can be use as a natural sponge for cleaning and scrubbing the skin..
Later in the evening while I was researching a bit more about the plant, The most amazing thing about the exchange of the 2 crop types between us 2 farmers is that, we exchanged 2 plants not realizing the 2 plant were of the same family origin as they looked totally diffrent but yet similar in the way they grow. Both on vines and bared a beautiful yellow flower. This is what cause me to research a bit more based on similarities.
Another type of Loofah most of us in the Caribbean know is ‘’Ground Sponge’’
Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the cucumber (Cucurbitaceae) family.
In everyday non-technical usage, the luffa, also spelled loofah, usually means the fruit of the two species L. aegyptiaca and L. acutangula. The fruit of these species is cultivated and eaten as a vegetable. The fruit must be harvested at a young stage of development to be edible. The vegetable is popular in China and Vietnam. When the fruit is fully ripened, it is very fibrous. The fully developed fruit is the source of the loofah scrubbing sponge which is used in bathrooms and kitchens. Luffa are not frost-hardy, and require 150 to 200 warm days to mature.- WIKI
Check health benefit of the Loofah plant below:
- Ridge gourd or sponge gourd is popularly known as ‘Jhinga’ in Bangladesh. Biologically ridge gourd is referred to as Luffa acutangula. It is a ridged and dark green vegetable with white pulp inside.
- The taste of the vegetable resembles zucchinis. The ridge gourd has some amazing health benefits and is a great source of medicinal properties. Some of the health benefits are listed below.
- Ridge gourd is extremely rich in dietary fibre and enriched with all the vital elements that include Vitamin-C, zinc, iron, riboflavin, magnesium, thiamine and traces of another minerals.
- It is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and calories that aids in weight loss.
- Ridge gourd contains good amount of cellulose and high in water content that helps to relieve from constipation.
- It contains insulin like peptides and alkaloids that helps to reduce the sugar levels in the blood and urine.
- It is high in beta-carotene which is good for enhancing eye sight.
- Ridge gourd acts effective in purifying blood. It boosts up and nourishes the liver health and protects the liver from alcohol intoxication.
- Ridge gourd juice is used to heal jaundice and to strengthen your immune system against any infection.
- It is good for skin care, as the blood purifying qualities in it ensures you to stay clear from pimples and acne.
- Ridge gourd helps to manage acidity as well as ulcers. It is well known as a cooling agent and aids in handling burning sensation during urination.- Source info: thedailystar.net:
Ras Jah Bash embraced the young farmers and encouraged them to visit him next week to collect Arugula Slips for cultivation. Both farmers look forward to networking with each other to strengthen the boundaries of Agriculture. The Farmers plan to exchange crop types and continue their research towards providing sustainable agricultural solutions for St Maarten.
Check out these great photos below of Week 2 of the Skill Enhancement Program at St Peters Community Garden Research and Development Center
The post PHOTOS – Week 2 Skill Enhancement Program – Ground Sponge, fruit of the two species appeared first on St Maarten Argriculture.
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