KITCHEN garden was a small plot of land created in the family yard for vegetable cultivation. Produce from the garden was mainly used for home consumption. Kitchen gardens were mostly prevalent in countryside. Families would pool their physical and mental resources to produce food for their self-satisfaction. Historically kitchen gardens were embraced by almost every family. Especially by those whose earnings were insufficient to facilitate their basic needs. Kitchen gardens were also done competitively to exhibit family skills. The pride of every home was the kitchen garden. Notwithstanding the fact, the flower gardens were also prevalent. What was interesting, all the excesses produced by the families were shared, bartered or sold to increase revenue for the families. Kitchen garden was grown in a traditional way i.e.it involved manual labour and fertilifation of plants were done by the application of pen manure.

Pests were controlled in an organic way, by the use of neem leaves and other non-systemic control. Seeds and other planting materials were termed as creole or natural plants. The produce from the garden were more healthy since they were not genetically modified nor were there any chemical intervention to accelerate growth and production. There was a natural process of evolution since everything was compatible with nature. Kitchen garden supported the social fabric of the family. All members who were physically adequate were involved in gardening process. Kitchen gardens subscribed tremendously to village markets through production and employment. As kitchen garden became profitable gardens were expanded to commercial grounds. This enhance agriculture as a business thus creating employment for members of the communities. The Kitchen garden always produce a pleasant atmosphere and a conducive environment for all to dwell.

The excitement and happiness derived from picking the peppers, trashing the seasoning and harvesting other vegetables to place in a pot to cook under the coconut tree was second to none. What about roasting a fresh boulanger or tomatoes? Those experiences could never be forgotten. Kitchen garden was the essence of the family existence. Today it is much easier to grow with advance technology. If there are not enough land spaces, pots pipes and other containers are available to grow your own food. Let’s start the race to bring back the beauty of kitchen garden. The garden could also meaningfully occupy children’s wasted time which could be converted into a productive hobby. A successful garden will feed, nourish and energise the family in every regard. Happy Gardening!

Yours sincerely,

Rabindranauth Persaud