Planting Time

Sandy Samnarine
Division Manager-Agri, Lawn & Garden
FT Farfan Limited

Despite your religious persuasion, Corpus Christi in Trinidad is the single most popular day for planting.  This holiday is celebrated in Catholic countries, in the month of June.  It is traditionally a good time for planting since it coincides with the start of the rainy season and it is the turning point for the shortening of day length (sunlight hours).  Rain-fed crops have a greater chance of survival and is less labour intensive.  Corpus Christi plantings therefore are greener, lusher and produce bountiful flowers and fruits.

There is a high demand at this time for (Tobago) pigeon peas seeds – these are typically fuller and sweeter.  However, planting peas at Corpus Christi allows the plants to benefit from the shorter day lengths which is needed to initiate flowering.  This translates to the first bearing before Christmas.  If Corpus Christi is missed for planting peas, you can hear the bragging of some gardeners whose peas “come in” at Christmas, to those who get theirs for Carnival.  This shortened sunlight hours (less than 12 hours of sunlight) also has a positive effect on several non-traditional Corpus Christi crops such as: sorrel, broccoli, cucumber, chive, chrysanthemums, poinsettia.

If you are starting a home garden around the Corpus Christi time, you may consider some of those crops together with watermelon, corn, ochro, bodi, string beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, ginger, dasheen, pumpkin, eddoes and kale.  These can all be easily grown organically and will be ready to harvest in as little as four weeks and before Christmas.  Here are some recommended supplies for a successful garden:

1. Soil-free potting mix. Because soil contains so many diseases, weed seeds and insects, you can give your plants a headstart by using soil-free mixes. Apart from peat mixes such as Sungro professional mix, perlite, coconut coir, there are several commercial brands available e.g. Agri-World potting mix. They can be used in pots and troughs and also in the planting holes.  This gives the plants those few extra days to establish themselves before being exposed to the harsh environment.
2. Organic granular starter fertiliser. These contain the balance of nutrients to give the plants that quick and strong rooting and is available for the first few weeks after germination or planting. However, remember that it must be either mixed with the potting mix, or at least put into the soil prior to planting.  Many commercial products are available, but be sure to check if they are organic.  Black Gold and Jobe’s do have OMRI products that have been proven under our conditions.
3. Seeds, seedlings, cuttings and other planting materials. For first time gardeners, you can get success by starting with either large seeds such as ochro, corn, peas, watermelon, pumpkin. Other fulfilling crops that can be grown from seedlings include cherry peppers, lettuce, pakchoi, kale, herbs – chive, basil, oregano.  Both hybrid seeds as well as open-pollinated and heirloom seeds are easily available.
4. Gardening tools such as a trowel and fork.
5. Watering can or irrigation system (hose and nozzle).
6. Broad-spectrum copper or organic fungicide, especially in the rainy season for general protection.
7. Broad-spectrum organic insecticide such as Neem.

Before you go off on a planting frenzy, remember to stagger your planting time so you can harvest over a period of time rather than all at once.  You can always share with your relatives and neighbours.

Gardening is very enjoyable, fulfilling, and therapeutic but it can also impact your expenditures in a positive way.  We, at Agri-World are available for supplying products, but also for gardening and farming advice.

Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash