Backyard farming a growing trend

Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer

For many, backyard farming literally means backyard farming.

However, persons living in apartment buildings may also take part in the widespread trend of eating what they grow.

Square-foot gardening, accor-ding to Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) extension officer for St Thomas, Norman Haughton, is an easy solution for persons who have the drive to grow crops but have no outdoor space.

"When people see things, they'll buy into it and believe it," Haughton said.

Those who attended the 58th Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show in Clarendon had access to backyard-farming tips as well as had their questions answered by experts from RADA and Jamaica Agricultural Society.

Persons who are or will be taking on backyard-farming projects are encouraged to build a compost bin or use a tightly sealed container to store compost.

Compost is what is left once organic matter decomposes. Garden waste, scraps from the kitchen, manure and leaves are organic matter. These can be used as food for the plants and crops.

RADA also provides assistance for first-time gardeners who may lack faith in their green thumb.

"We go through land preparation and we're there to answer questions. We will even call to check up and see how the farming is going," Haughton said.

He also encourages farmers to use pesticides as the last resort.

How to get square-foot gardening going

1. Pick an area that gets anywhere between six and eight hours of sunlight. Make sure this area isn't susceptible to puddles after rainfall.

2. Build a framed square box around 6" deep.

3. Fill with soil and compost.

4. Make a square-foot grid and place it on top of the frame and start planting.