Welcome to Permaculture in Trinidad and Tobago. Welcome to Wa Samaki.

 

Wa Samaki Ecosystems, created in 1997, offers a working example of a Permaculture operation producing cut flowers for the local market, organic food for our household consumption, wildlife conservation, watershed rehabilitation, Permaculture Design Courses, workshops and volunteer and internship opportunities. 

 

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Heirloom Mayan Purple Corn

Happy World Environment day!!!! A gift from a Permaculture Centre in Belize, we have maintained this corn in small quantities for the last 10 years.  This year we grew it out in much larger quantities that we could finally offer some up for sale. This corn is a traditional Maya heirloom, which is culturally important and is slowly being displaced. Although it is used primarily for tortillas and it can also be used as a sweet corn but it has a short window during which it can be picked. Corn likes to grow in rich soil as it is quite a heavy feeder...plant the seeds in soil mixed with a lot of compost if possible. We plant it in sets of 3 seeds to a hole with a lot of beans planted around it....all as seed. The beans help produce more nitrogen for the corn as well as protect the young corn plants from pests (in our experience). The corn grows quite rapidly and can be ready to harvest in about 70-90 days.  We have not used any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers on it. Please be aware that the corn could cross pollinate with other varieties of corn growing close to it and this could change some of the color characteristics of the corn produced. Good luck with your seeds! Help us keep this variety in existence as it evolves to growing in Trinidad and Tobago

 

 

 

 

 

Wa Samaki Starter Survival Pack

The covid 19 pandemic has thrown so much of what we do out of whack! Food security is now of utmost importance . In our effort to help people turn their lawns and ornamental gardens back into edible landscapes we are offering 'Starter Survival Packages'. The details below are for our first package as we support people to grow their own food.

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Here is some general info on how to deal with cuttings and starts in your package.

 

1. Some of the cuttings or plants are better started off in containers in a nursery area. Choose a location that gets some morning sun as evening sun can be too harsh for them.

2. It’s advisable to use a loamy soil, coconut peat mix or promix for the plants in your nursery and then transfer them out into the garden once the rains start.

3. Some cuttings will tolerate being placed directly in the garden but will need to be kept moist until they are strong enough. We have tried to identify which of your plants can go straight into the garden or which ones need to be started in a nursery. 

4. Cuttings need to be planted the right side up for them to grow properly. Look at the nodes where the leaves were attached to the stem. There is a little eye or pointy bud just above the leaf scar. This is up. The opposite side of the cutting goes into the container.  

5. Don’t over water. Just keep the soil moist, not soaking wet. You may not need to water every day. Test the soil with your finger to determine if it is moist or dry before watering. Signs of over watering are drooping leaves as the stem begins to rot and can’t take up any more water.

6. Let your plants grow for a couple of weeks in their containers and then put them out where they can get longer sun exposure to harden up before planting into the garden.

7. Compost can be mixed into the hole when planting or placed on top of the soil after the plant goes into the ground. Most of these plants like lots of mulch around them as it helps keep moisture and vital nutrients in the soil.

 

The following plants come in your package. Numbers will vary depending on what is in stock. 

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Root crops:

Cassava (Manihot esculenta)- Sticks can be planted directly into the garden; soften the soil where they are going with a fork or spade then simply push them in about 2/3 of the length either upright or at a 45-degree slant. They prefer full sun and a sandier soil but will grow in clay (just harder to dig out) if it is not waterlogged. They will do well even in poor soil. Harvest time is normally 8-12 months. Tip: Some people look for the tiny flowers on them and then harvest.

 

Topi Tambo (Calathea allouia) - This little tuber can go directly into the garden; soften the soil where they are going with a fork or spade then plant them about 2-3 inches below the surface. They can be planted right side up or upside down and can be grown in partial shade or full sun. Once they are planted before the rainy season they will sprout as the rains begin. While growing they like to be as moist as possible so mulch heavily with leaves or other organic material. As the dry season starts, the plant will dry down and at that point, they are ready to be harvested. To harvest dig up the whole plant, cut off the tubers and plant the corm back into the soil and mulch heavily again so it is ready for the next rainy season. Tip: They are much easier to harvest if planted in a mulched sandy bed vs clay.

 

Yam (Dioscorea sp.)- The tuber can go directly into the garden; soften the soil where they are going with a fork or spade, make a hole about 6-12 inches wide and deep, fill with leafy mulch then plant the tuber and cover with about 1 inch of soil. They can be grown in partial shade or full sun and do well if planted next to an established tree where they can vine up. If planted in the open they will need a trellis, however we have also seen them grown as a ground cover in some other Caribbean islands.  As the dry season starts the plant will dry down and at that point, they are ready to be dug up. Once harvested, cut about 2-3 inches off from the head and plant that piece back in the same spot so it will sprout during the next rainy season. Tip: The more mulch around them the bigger the root will grow.  Leave some of the yams in the ground for the first year so they will make a much bigger tuber in the second year.                                   

 

Dasheen (Colocasia esculenta) – Yellow dasheen can be grown on dry land as opposed to the white or blue that like wet conditions. It can be planted directly into the garden bed; Soften soil , make a small hole and plant the corm or just the head of the corm with the top/leafy part sticking out slightly (some of you will receive plants with a leaf, some will just receive the corm). Try to plant at the start of the rainy season or keep moist and mulch heavily until the rains start. They should be ready to harvest during the dry season or about 8 months after planting.  One plant may have 3-6 “daughter dasheens” around them when you dig it up. Plant one back in the hole and find space somewhere else in your garden for the other 5! They will begin to sprout when the rains start again. Tip:  Try not to leave your dasheen in the ground too long into the dry season as it will begin to rot if the rains start early.

 

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)– A little piece can go directly into the garden; soften the soil where they are going with a fork or spade and plant them about 2-3 inches below the surface. They can be grown in partial shade or full sun. Plant them before the rainy season and they will sprout once the rains begin. They like to be moist while growing so mulch heavily with leaves or other organic material. As the dry season starts the plant will dry down and at that point, they are ready to be dug up. Dig up the whole plant, remove the turmeric tubers then plant the corm back into the soil. Mulch heavily again so it is ready for the next rainy season. Tip: Turmeric is very prolific and does well even in heavy clays. Just mulch heavily and make sure it is not waterlogged.       

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Greens cuttings:

Poi seeds (Malabar spinach) – if the seeds still have pulp on them, wash off the pulp gently and dry the seeds on a paper towel in the shade for one or 2 days. Plant the seeds in small pots/containers and they will normally germinate within the first week of planting.  Let the plant get up to around 6-8 inches in length then plant in the garden. They love to climb/vine so place on a fence or trellis. Aprx. 10 to 20% of the leaves can be harvested regularly and eaten raw or cooked.  They will grow in full sun but also seem to do well with partial shade. Tip: They tend to like limestone added to the soil if it is very clayey.

                                               

Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius-Tree spinach) - These cuttings can be treated just like a cassava (planted straight in the ground). However, for greater success plant in pots until they have grown to aprx. 2 ft then transfer to the garden. Once planted and the tree is more than about 2-3 ft tall the younger leaves can be harvested and cooked. The older leaves are hard to break off the stem and can be very chewy and are not recommended for cooking. These leaves cannot be eaten raw and you should avoid the sap from the leaves when harvesting. Tip: This edible leaf must be cooked for a few minutes to drive off the slight toxins. Some people boil and dispose of the water before using the leaves. We use it directly in soups but ensure it is thoroughly boiled for at least 3-5 minutes.

                               

Aibika (Abelmoschus manihot) – We have 2 varieties and you will have a stem of each (while quantities last). It is advisable to start in a pot so the plant can root properly and then transfer to the garden. It enjoys moist soil. When the tree is aprx 3ft any of the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw leaves tend to be a little slimy. Flowers should be removed, as it extends the life of the plant.  Tip: It is advisable to plant new pieces every year just in case the plant ages quickly and dies.

 

Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica) - This leafy green needs a damp area. We grow ours in our aquaponic system, but it will grow in moist drains or wet areas and will behave like a ground cover. Its leaves are best consumed cooked. This is a quick growing vine that likes heavy pruning so the more leaves you harvest the more this plant will produce. If leaves are left to get old, they will start getting attacked by pests, so it is best to remove most leaves when you harvest. Tip: Try to not let it flower to increase its longevity and keep replanting cuttings just in case the older plant dies out.

 

Katuk/Sweet leaf (Sauropus androgynus) – Success is better if potted and grown for a few months and then put out in the garden. Once the plant is aprx.  2-3 ft tall the leaves can be harvested and cooked. Pruning the plant will make it thicker. Use the younger leaves to the top as these are more digestible. It is not a leaf that is recommended for juicing or to be eaten in huge quantities every day. A small handful per day is fine.

Tip: The shoot tips can also be harvested and eaten. Some people label the tips as  ‘tropical asparagus’

 

Nitrogen fixers/biomass cuttings:

Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) – Sticks can be treated like cassava and go straight out in the garden once they are kept moist and mulched. Grows quickly and will make a showy yellow flower. Best to use as a chop and drop mulch. Cut it down about 6-8 inches from the ground just before it starts flowering. Each cutting cycle will make it bushier. It is also known as ‘tropical comfrey' as it is rich in nutrients. Tip:  When put to rot in water for about a week the water can be used for watering plants.                      

Quick stick (Gliricidia sepium) – These sticks can be treated like cassava and go straight out in the garden once they are kept moist and mulched. Can turn into a tree if not pruned regularly. Has flowers that are great for bees. Again, it is used as a chop and drop for mulch and can also be used to make living fenceposts.  Best to use a chop and drop mulch just as it is about to flower. Cut it down at whatever height suits you for your garden purposes and it will shoot back at that height again. Each cutting cycle will make it bushier. It is also known as ‘Madre de Cacao’ and is used as shade to start cocoa.  Tip: Its leaves can also be rotted in water for about a week and then used to water plants.

                                               

Tricantera (Trichanthera gigantea) – These sticks can be treated like cassava and go straight out in the garden once they are kept moist and mulched. It will make a large shrub or tree if not pruned. Makes lots of biomass for a chop and drop system. Tip:  Its large leaves are excellent fodder for rabbits, donkeys, cows and pigs.

                               

Mulberry (Morus sp.) – This variety makes large berries but does not seem to be prolific in this environment. Best started in a pot and then transferred out into the garden. It is best used for chop and drop and for biomass. It can be regularly pruned at 2-4 ft and can form a small tree if left unpruned Tip: After each prune it will sometimes send up a few berries.