This Christmas, we at the Archbishop’s Appeal invite everyone in T&T to come together and celebrate one of God’s greatest gifts to us – the gift of this one, great, beautiful Earth, and the amazing diversity of living upon it. In creating this amazing world for us, He said: "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." (GENESIS 1:11)
So, in the spirit of celebrating Earth and all of it's gifts, this Christmas the Appeal team is planting seeds! Let’s all nourish our bodies and spirits for decades to come while also celebrating the local diversity of crops here in T&T!
☀ Keep reading for some helpful information and tips from the Ministry of Agriculture below on how to make the best of your Christmas harvest in the coming new year! 🌱
SORREL (Early Red & Year-Round Variety)
Scientific Name: Hibiscus sabdariffa
A ‘Trinbagonian’ Christmas is not complete without a refreshing glass of sorrel drink. Sorrel is an edible flower that contains abundant amounts of natural antioxidants. Our ‘Early Red’ sorrel plants can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and bear in 5 months. ‘Early Red’ can be planted during the June-July period to ensure bearing occurs just in time for the Christmas season.
Plants grow best in full sunlight and well-drained soils.
PIGEON PEAS (Tobago Variety)
Scientific Name: Cajanus cajan
Pigeon peas are a good source of protein and a popular ingredient in ‘Trinbago’ pelau and soups. They are leguminous plants that add Nitogen to the soil. Plants can grow up to 2 metres tall and should be planted during the month of June. Harvesting can be done in approximately 7 months and pods can be picked when they are about 5cm long. Plants thrive well in full sun and well-drained soils. Pigeon peas plants are drought-tolerant and can be grown in areas with reduced rainfall.
Pigeon peas are normally consumed as a vegetable in the fresh, frozen and dried forms.
OCHRO (White & Puerto Rican Dwarf Variety)
Scientific Name: Abelmoschus esculentus
Ochro can be used as a cooked or steamed vegetable with very good nutritive value.
The ochro plant is valued for its edible green seed pods and is an essential ingredient in your callalloo and cornmeal coucou. The 'Ochro White' variety can grow up to 1.5 metres tall and will bear for 12 weeks after planting. The 'Puerto Rican Dwarf' variety is quite small and only grows up to 0.6 metres. It can usually be harvested 6 weeks after planting. Plants grow well throughout the year in well-drained soils and full sunlight.
BODI (Los Banos Variety)
Scientific Name: Vigna unguiculata (L.)
Bodi is consumed locally as a vegetable in the immature green stage. Bodi plants produce edible long green pods with immature seeds which can be picked in 5 – 6 weeks. The pods are quick-growing and mature quickly. Plants grow best in full sunlight and well-drained soils.
