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Gardening on the Caribbean island of Montserrat proved to be my greatest challenge. Instead of being the garden of Eden I envisaged when we bought our property, it challenged everything I knew. It seems that every avid gardener arriving to live in Montserrat does so with the same enthusiasm and unbridled hope as I did; here it is sunny and warm year round and there are many months of rain -- what a garden I will have!

When we bought our property in Montserrat in the West Indies several years ago, I fell in love with the overgrown garden, the views and the national park that lies behind the property. The house was comfortable and the pool was lovely, but the garden was not exactly as it appeared. In the garden, the first two inches or so of the soil was pure volcanic ash, a fine grained powdery cement-like material. Below that, we found about two inches of rock hard barren generic dirt and rocks and below that we found even harder clay. None of our familiar garden tools were up to the job of dealing with the ground so we turned to the local favorite, a mattock. The mattock redefines what you may think of as a "pick." I can barely lift it and by the time I've carried it to the garden I am exhausted and there the tool lies till tomorrow.

With my over-riding gardening optimism and my husband's desire to make me happy, we dug out a fifteen by fifteen foot garden the first year and I began to enhance the soil -- making good dirt is one of my passions. We were in Montserrat hard at work for several years. Often when local farmers come by to see our gardens we would hear comments like, "Look at that fat soil." Fat soil is prized in Montserrat as the best place to grow vegetables.

CARIBBEAN OR TROPICAL GARDENING HINTS

Gardening by the Moon

Listening to local farmers and asking many questions we have learned that planting by the moon is a Montserratian traditional practice.

New moon to the Full moon
Sow seeds and transplant seedlings

Full moon to the New moon
Cultivate the soil, weed and harvest

New Moon to the First Quarter
Plant above ground plants including flowering annuals

First Quarter to the Full Moon
Sow the seeds of above ground plants

Full Moon to the Last Quarter
Plant root crops, bulbs, perennials and biennials

Last Quarter
Turn over the soil, but do not plant

Soil pH

The sweetness (alkalinity) or acidity of your soil will affect the health and productivity of your garden plants. A pH on the sweet side is normally considered beneficial for most vegetables. Gardeners routinely apply agricultural lime to sweeten the soil before planting. In Montserrat there was no lime available so farmers used wood ashes or nothing at all. This had a decided impact on the quality and quantity of vegetables that were produced there. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 with 7 being just about neutral. Numbers above 7 are alkaline and below 7 are acid. If you are in a similar situation with no access to lime, use the ashes from firewood. Spread them as thickly as you can on the garden area and mix them into the soil. Then water it well and do so for three days or so before planting.

Summer vs Winter Planting in the Tropics

One of the most important things I finally learned is that the most successful vegetable gardens in the Caribbean are planted to be harvested in the winter. In the Caribbean, summer is a time for letting the garden rest -- with very few exceptions. Mung beans and yellow/orange sweet potatoes do well, as does okra (ick). Mexican hot peppers of all kinds do well too. I'd love to hear if you have had real success planting other crops in the hot summer, tips I can pass along to other gardeners like us.

Sun Versus Shade Planting

In our garden area we didn't have too many places receiving full sun all day which proved a blessing. It was my experience that gardening in areas with morning or afternoon sun was best followed by areas of dappled sunlight and finally in areas with only bright shade. Tropical sun burns in a way not experienced in the north even on the hottest days so you can adjust your plantings so they receive light, but are not 'cooked'

Watering

If you live in a tropical environment that has an extended dry season or uneven amounts of rainfall, you will most likely be forced to drag out the hoses. I found it best to water only during the very early morning in areas receiving morning sun. I was then able to move the hoses to areas receiving afternoon sun and finally to areas of bright shade. Watering plants in direct sunlight simply burns them so get off to an early start to your day.

Text ©KO 2008 and photograph ©GrenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2010/2018

Gardenia Gardenia augusta
This the most wonderful flowering bush I've ever met. It has deep green 2 to 3" shiny leaves and bright creamy white flowers that smell like heaven. I've had them as house plants in Boston, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and outside in gardens in Oaxaca and Taxco, Mexico. This year I even had one planted in the garden at our home in Guatemala.
Benefits: Gardenias are said to have several important health benefits.
Photographed: In the Botanical Garden at Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: This variety prefers a neutral to acid soil and light shade when planted outside. As houseplants they'll do well in a sunny window with regular misting. They do not like dry air.
Text and Photograph ©KO2008 and ©GreenGardeingCookingCuring.com 2018

See also India Carnation on the "I" Page for what is called a gardenia in Montserrat.

This plant was one of my many mysteries and it was graciously solved by these two folks at the same time, with my great appreciation,

http://www.kwiaht.org/kwiaht.htm "Kwiáht is a nonprofit conservation biology laboratory in and for the San Juan Islands of Washington State."

C. Howell Ellerman from California

**Gazania, Treasure Flower Gazania rigens "Christopher Lloyd"
This is a low growing perennial bearing its colorful flowers almost continuously in a warm climate and spring into fall in a cooler one. They make great border plantings since they are less than a foot high.
Benefits: Gazania may be planted and grow successfully in areas of drought.
From: Southern Africa
Photographed: In the garden of our apartment in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2010.
Planting and care: These plants like to grow in well drained soil in full sun in a warm climate if possible though they will survive a touch of 32° F for a short period.
Text and photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2018

Flower Mystery solved by Ursula G. living in Southern Germany

GERANIUMS

Geranium Pelargonium sp.
A geranium always seemed the preferred plant of people who had no interest in plants or in gardening. The geranium performed the function of having a colorful flowering green bush at the front door during summer. In the fall, a planter of chrysanthemums fulfilled the same function. In the northeastern United States, the chrysanthemums were followed by a big pumpkin.
Having lived in Mexico and recently traveled in Greece, I gained a new respect for geraniums. I had some growing nicely a couple of years ago until we began having routine acid rain and then ashing from the Soufriere volcano in Montserrat. Plants with shiny tough leaves handle ash and acid rain rather well; plants with hairy leaves like geraniums and tomatoes suffer greatly or die right away when exposed.
Benefits: Geraniums have been said to "lower stress levels, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, improve kidney health, strengthen the immune system, and ease digestion." Geranium oil is now used in treating skin ailments as well as in aroma therapy.
From: Geraniums are members of a very large family with members originating from all over the world.
Planting and Care: These can be strong and tough plants to grow where not much else will thrive. They have lovely blossoms and and velvety medium green leaves. Give geraniums lots of sun and don't let them get too dry and you'll be thrilled with their appearance and their ease of care.
Text ©KO 2010 and photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2018

GINGER

**False Cardamon Ginger, Dwarf Cardamon Alpinia nutans
This is an attractive rarely-flowering type of ginger that grows to be about three feet tall. When it does flower, they look much like the flowers on a shell ginger. Its leaves are very fragrant when softly brushed.
Benefits: Its health benefits include controlling hypertension as well as acting as a diuretic. It is also used as an antifungal and antiulcer treatment. When brushed its foliage will give off the scent of cardamon.
Photographed: Not yet
From: Southeast Asia
Planting and Care: Growing to a height of about 4 feet this ginger can provide undergrowth to taller vegetation in a tropical environment. It seems to prefer a semi shady place in the garden with rich moist soil especially in the growing season. It will normally bloom in springtime and just afterwards will appreciate being fertilized. In the cooler months of winter keep it a little drier than in summer.
Text ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013/2018

**Common Ginger, Cooking Ginger, Edible Ginger Zingiber officinale
This ginger grows two to three feet tall in a beautiful plant that looks much like a dwarf bamboo. It likes a lot of water and partial shade. Ginger is related to tumeric, another great spice from India.
Benefits:
1. Drinking ginger tea may help with indigestion and tossing a bit into beans is said to reduce gas. Nausea and morning sickness may also respond well to a ginger tea. I haven't found ginger helpful in digestion, but my husband swears by it using the recipe for ginger tea below.
2. I accidentally also discovered ginger's beneficial effect on high blood pressure. When my pressure seems especially high, I have about 1/2 cup of ginger tea and within 10 minutes my pressure will have dropped 10 or more points. It seems a very nice solution if you have spiking blood pressure like me. When traveling I bring along a spice jar of powdered ginger and use a few shakes in a half glass of water. It works well too, but is a little bitter. Do talk to your physician before giving it a try just to be sure you won't have any adverse effects.
3. Ginger may also have beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflamatory qualities.
4. It is said that ginger may also have a beneficial effect in preventing or delaying cancer of the colon. It would be very interesting to know if cultures that rely on daily use of ginger have significantly lower rates of this type of cancer.
From: Southeast Asia
Photographed: Not yet
Planting and Growth: Soak a perfect root overnight and plant just under the soil with the buds facing up in a wind free and lightly shaded spot in your garden and water regularly. Ginger is a heavy feeder which quickly uses up the soil, so plan on using fertilizer or a rich organic soil for best results.
Harvesting: At any time feel free to cut stalks and use the stems. When the leaves begin to die back after nine or ten months it is ready for harvesting. Dig out the roots and after washing them well, dry them for two to three weeks. Root crops should not be planted for two years where ginger has grown.

Recipe for Ginger Tea:
Peel and thinly slice a large thumb sized piece of ginger root. Place in a two quart pan with one quart of water and 1/2 cup of sugar. Heat covered and keep at a slow simmer for about one half hour. This will produce a light ginger syrup which should be refrigerated. Use the syrup to make cold ginger drinks in a fifty/fifty mix using either purified water or carbonated water to make a ginger soda. The syrup will last about four days in a cold refrigerator.
Text©KO 2007 andGreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013/2018

Pine Cone Ginger, Shampoo Ginger, Golden Shampoo Ginger, Bitter Ginger Zingiber zerumbet
This is one of the more other worldly types of ginger. It could easily star in someone's sci-fi movie. The three young flowers to the right were on stalks about one foot high emerging from a plant with leaves about six to seven feet tall and very scruffy looking.
Benefits: This ginger is used in Malay traditional medicine to treat various types of ailments from inflammation to worm infestations. In Hawaii ingredients in the pine cone flower are used in shampoos.
From: India, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia and Sumatra.
Photographed: At the Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala unless otherwise noted.
Planting and Care: If you live in a warm climate growing ginger is pretty straight forward. Take a purchased plant and set it out in the garden in dappled sunlight in heavily composted soil. Keep the soil moist, but not continuously wet. Sit back and enjoy the show.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2010 and GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2014/2018

Photographed: As part of a floral arrangement in Panajachel, Guatemala.

Pink Ginger Lily, Ostrich Plume Alpinia purpurata
This is an exquisite member of the ginger family along with its identical twin the red ginger you may see below and what's best is they bloom most of the year. We lost ours to Montserrat's devastating volcanic eruption in July of 2003.
Benefits: It is widely used medicinally to treat skin sores and stomach problems. As an added benefit it is attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
From: Malaysia
Photographed: At the Hotel Atitlan botanical garden on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: As are most gingers, this is a perennial growing up to 12 feet tall. Plant this beauty in bright shade in moist rich composted soil. It will also appreciate a monthly dose of a high nitrogen fertilizer.
Text and Photograph ©KO 2004/2010 and GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013/2018

**Globe Amaranth, Bachelor Button Gomphrena globosa syn. Globe amaranth
This relatively small plant, about 15 inches tall and wide adds a bit of color to the garden bed if you have a lot of greenery.
Benefits: This little edible plant packs a punch in herbal medicine. Take a look at this website to learn more
https://www.wildturmeric.net/2017/04/gomphrena-globosa-globe-amaranth-medicinal-uses.html
From: Central America from Guatemala to Panama
Planting and Care: This bright little annual plant is as useful in the garden for color as it is easy to care for. Though it prefers a sunny spot and routine rainfall or watering, it is adaptable and will tolerate some shade and hot, dry periods pretty well.
Text and Photograph ©KO 2010 and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2018

Globe Thistle Echinops ritro
These are intriguing flowering plants that may grow on you as they have me. Plant them where you might enjoy seeing them the next year as they are perennials. The will grow to be just under 2 feet in height.
Benefits: Globe thistle is said to be an anti-inflamatory and has been widely used in the treatment of breast disorders.
From: Europe and east to Asia and south to Africa
Photographed: In the Thuya Garden on Mt. Desert Island,
Maine, 2013. 
Planting and Care: Plant the globe thistle in full sun in an area of your garden that has the poorest soil. It likes routine rainfall or watering and an acid soil if possible.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013/2018

Golden Dew Drop Duranta plumieri Jacq.
This appealing shrub will grow to be about 10 feet tall at its best. Kept trimmed it will make a handsome hedge as you can see in the photograph below on the left.
From: Tropical Americas
Benefits: According to a website I found, http://www.stuartxchange.org/Duranta.html, it has had several historic curative applications and presently studies have been undertaken to determine its benefits more scientifically.
Photographed: In the Palermo, Sicily, Italy, Botanical Garden
Planting and Care: Same as Golden Ear Drop above.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2012/2018

Golden Plume Schaueria calycotricha, Schaueria flavicoma, Justicia flavicoma
This 2 to 3 foot tall plant is a perennial blooming for a long period in Autumn.
Benefits: Butterflies and hummingbirds like this plant as much as we do.
From: Brazil
Photographed:  In the Botanical Garden at the Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: This plant likes living in the shade and it prefers a moist fertile soil. It is subtropical and can handle some, but not much, cold weather.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2018

Flower Mystery solved by Ursula G. living in Southern Germany

Grapes
I have the most fond memories from childhood of sitting beneath a concord grape arbor with my little friends. We would get up now and then to pick another bunch of grapes, then sit back down chatting amiably while sucking on these indelibly flavored grapes. Probably the best thing about them was that there was no garden care at that home, so the grapes were not doused in chemicals.
At that time of year, my mother would take us out to the country somewhere to buy pounds and pounds of these grapes which she would turn into a year's supply of grape jam. We never had Welches®.
Benefits: Grapes provide us with a wide variety of foods from wine to jams and jellies. What surprises me is the number and variety of curative properties these plants contribute to our well being.
From: Most grapes originated in the Mediterranean and in Central Asia. Some wild vines were from North America
Photographed: On the left in the (Ortobotanico) Botanical Garden in Naples, Italy, in 2014. Photographs below have source information.
Planting and Care: There are so many varieties and uses for grapes it is best that you contact the agriculture department of your local college or university for information on the best grapes for the the use you intend and for your location.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2015/2018

Japanese Forest Grass, Japanese Temple Grass, Golden Japanese Forest Grass Hakonechloa macra
This is a very attractive perennial grass that is small enough to be useful in any shady areas of your garden.
Benefits: Maybe the best news is that this is a deer resistant grass.
From: Japan
Photographed: In the Blithewold Garden in Bristol, Rhode Island 2013, unless otherwise noted.
Planting and Care: Japanese forest grass will do best in a semi-shady or full shade area of your garden planted in nutrient rich soil that will be kept moist, not wet. It will require little care once it has settled in. When mature it will reach a height of no more than 2 feet.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2015/2019

With my appreciation, this mystery grass was identified by Peter from Auckland, New Zealand.

Green Tea
Green tea is a light and easy to make cool summer drink or hot warming tea to speed away winter's cold. For cool tea take four tea bags and place them in a quart bottle of filtered water. Leave it on the kitchen shelf out of the sun for the day. In the evening, take out the bags and put the tea in the refrigerator. Hot green tea is the usual bag in a cup or loose leaves in a teapot with boiling water.
Benefits: Teas, including green tea, may have benefits in fighting unhealthy bacteria in your digestive system which can't hurt. It is also recommended for folks with high blood pressure, but I found it to be just the opposite after a few days experimenting to see if it would help. Be sure to buy only organic green tea, as the commercial variety seems to be laced with quite a residue of pesticides.

Recommended Website: http://www.inthesetimes.com/issue/24/19/whittelsey2419.html

Text ©KO 2010 and GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2014/2018

**Guava Tree Psidium guajava L.
Growing to between twenty and thirty feet tall, the guava gives us not only its delicious fruit, but many curatives as well. We had a lovely guava in our Taxco garden which required absolutely no care and annually gave us bushels of fruit. That was a tree after my own heart! In Montserrat, in an area called St. George's Hill, there are beautiful groves of guava trees. We were able to visit that area of the island a few years ago when it was not included in the volcano exclusion zone. From that visit until we sold our home and left the island, St. George's Hill was off limits for having been returned to the exclusion zone.
Benefits:
1. Its leaves and bark may be steeped as a tea to treat diarrhea.
2. Guavas are very high in vitamin C, much higher than oranges, and they are a good source of vitamin A and antioxidants.
3. To treat colds and inflammation of the legs, blend peeled guavas with orange juice and strain for a delicious and hopefully helpful drink.
4. To treat itchy insect bites, crush guava leaves and apply to the bite.
From: Florida, Mexico through Central America and the West Indies
Planting and Care: This very pretty tree is known to be a heavy feeding fast grower, producing its wonderful fruit in its second or third year. The guava grows best in full sun in a warm and sheltered setting with a rich moist soil that is more alkaline than acidic (a pH of 5 to 7). It will also give its best if you provide a generous amount of organic fertilizer on a regular basis.
Text ©KO 2007 and GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2014/2018
For more information see http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/guava.html

Pineapple Guava Feijoa sellowiana syn. Acca sellowiana
In a special botanical garden like that in Naples, Italy, this small tree makes a person stop to admire and then examine. It is lovely when flowering from April through to June and of a size that makes it welcome in many smaller gardens. Surprisingly, deer do not fine this tree of any interest at all so you can plant it and watch herds of deer pass by without a speck of damage.
Benefits: The fruit of this little tree is something special combining the flavors of pineapple and guava or pineapple and strawberry and the beautiful flowers are edible too. While deer do not recognize the yummy qualities of this tree, bees, butterflies, and birds do.
From: The highlands of northern Argentina and adjoining countries.
Photographed: In the Botanical Garden in Naples, Italy, in 2014.
Planting and Care: Preferring slightly acidic soil, pineapple guavas are tolerant of soils and temperatures. We saw it growing in full sun in Naples. If you plan to grow one in a warm climate, make sure you give it afternoon shade from the hot sun. Pineapple guavas need watering to get off to a good start and you'll find the produce more beautiful flowers and more fruit if you do a deep watering weekly.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2015/2018

With my appreciation, this mystery tree was identified by Peter from Auckland, New Zealand.