Most aspects of successful sustainable gardening are the same all around the world. Good crops need the same basics of good soil, moisture, nutrients, and pest control. In this regard, Haitian gardens are the same as our gardens in the US. However, there are some big differences that Haitian gardeners must consider that we do not have to think about in the US.

American gardeners typically plan their gardens with their “pantry” in mind. In other words, they plan and size their gardens to produce much of their food for the whole year, planting extra corn, beans, tomatoes, etc. to be able to preserve some to have their home-grown nutrition throughout most of the year. Canning, freezing, and drying are all common ways we can extend our harvests through different seasons.

It is different in Haiti, however. They plan their gardens for the “plate” instead of the pantry because they do not have many ways to store food. They don’t have refrigerators to store daily leftovers. They don’t have freezers for freezing, nor materials for canning. There is some practice of dehydrating some things like Mangos, Papaya, or bananas, or dry storing beans, but most Haitian gardeners do not have any good way to store crops. Therefore, they harvest, prepare, and eat their produce on a daily basis. Haitian gardeners know to consider this when they plan their gardens from season to season; therefore, gardens are often smaller and have overlapping planting dates to make longer harvest periods.

We pray for our Haitian brothers and sisters that they will have good gardens to provide for their families. Thank you for your support, which is helping change lives for so many.

God Bless you throughout the New Year.

Rad Hazelip, Assistant Executive Director