When Did We Start Paying for Limes?

"We never had much money, but we always had food."-The Grey-Haired Gardener

                                                                There's always something to harvest from the garden; a handful of this, two or three of that.... Photo: Shamela Rambadan

The other day, I found myself looking at the price of limes and shaking my head.

It got me thinking about how much life has changed.

Growing up in a farming family in a rural community, it would have been almost unthinkable to pay for certain things. Bandhania (chadon beni), limes, dry coconuts, dasheen bush, green figs, cow's milk—these were simply things we had. They grew in our yard, a neighbour's yard, or belonged to a nearby relative.

We never had much money, but we always had food.

We were "garden people."

  My squash ready to harvest         Photo : Shamela Rambadan

 Some fresh herbs from the garden. These can be easily grown in pots

Our family reared cows, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, and turkeys. We had eggs, milk, meat, and homegrown produce. Ma even made dahee (yogurt) from fresh cow's milk. We grew rice and sugar cane, and there always seemed to be something growing somewhere in the yard.

  First picking: A handful of seime   

Life wasn't easy, though.

Before school, we often had chores waiting for us. One of them was taking the sheep and goats out to pasture. In the evening, we brought them back to their pens. There were animals to feed, crops to tend, and weeds to pull. Looking back, I realize that the food on our table came from a great deal of hard work.

But that hard work gave us something many families are now struggling to afford—food security.

Ma baked bread regularly, and when guava was in season, she made guava jam for our sandwiches. That jam lasted us for months, sometimes nearly the entire year. There was no refrigeration, no fancy equipment, just knowledge, experience, and a determination to make the most of what we had.

Nothing went to waste.

The manure from the animal pens went into the garden. Kitchen scraps fed animals or returned to the soil. Long before terms like "organic gardening" and "sustainability" became popular, many farming families were already practicing them out of necessity.

 Freshly picked ochroes  from the garden        Photo: Shamela Rambadan

I also remember how connected our community was.

If Ma was cooking and ran short of something, she would send one of us to a neighbour or nearby relative.

"Go and get a few limes."

"See if they have a dry coconut."

"Ask Tanty(Auntie) for a hand of green fig."

Nobody thought twice about it. Those items were plentiful, and sharing was simply what people did.

Today, things are very different.

Many of the foods that were once freely exchanged between neighbours are now purchased. We routinely pay for limes, bandhania, green figs, coconuts, and countless other items that previous generations often grew themselves.

 Chadon Beni (Bandhania)  growing  in a pot in the garden   Photo : Shamela Rambadan

I am reminded of a line from a calypso by Lord Relator:

"A lime long time was ole talk and fun... but now a lime is twenty-five cents for one."

At the time, that line made people laugh. Today, it feels almost prophetic. Depending on the season, a single lime can cost several dollars.

Imagine telling our parents or grandparents that one day people would be paying $5 for a lime.

They probably would have laughed.

Yet here we are.

This is one of the reasons I believe gardening is just as important today as it was back then.

Yes, gardening provides fresh, nutritious food. Yes, it gets us outdoors and keeps us active. But it also helps reduce grocery bills at a time when food prices continue to rise.

Every lime picked from your tree is one less lime you have to buy.

Every bunch of chadon beni harvested from your garden is money saved.

Every tomato, pimento pepper, chive, or lettuce harvested at home puts a little less strain on your wallet.

And when the harvest is abundant, don't let it go to waste.

Freeze it. Dry it. Preserve it.

And if you can, share it.

A sense of pride: planting pineapples for the first time and harvesting my first fruit!

After all, that may be the biggest lesson I learned growing up in a farming family. A garden isn't just about growing food. It's about creating abundance—enough for your household and sometimes enough for someone else too.

Did you grow up in a home where food came from the backyard, a neighbour, or a family farm? What are the things you remember that your family grew, made, or shared?

I would love to hear your stories. Share them in the comments — because every garden has a story, and every generation has something valuable to teach the next.

And if this story brought back memories of a time when food was grown, shared, and appreciated, consider planting something of your own. A few herbs, a lime tree, a pepper plant, or a small backyard garden can be the beginning of something meaningful.

Times have changed.

But a garden still provides food.

A garden still saves money.

As I look at today's food prices, I am often reminded of how much has changed. The things we once took for granted are now the things we pay dearly for.

That is why I believe gardening remains just as important today as it was then.

And perhaps now, more than ever, a garden is one of the smartest investments we can make.

Happy Gardening!

Grey hair, green thumb, garden savvy.
thegreyhairedgardener.blogspot.com

The Mango Looked Perfect... Until I Cut It Open

 Nature has a way of reminding gardeners that not everything is as it seems on the surface. - The Grey-Haired Gardener

GHG Garden Detective Files #1

Picture-perfect mangoes— ripe with beauty and awesomeness!

 Just look at the size of this mango.... definitely over 1 pound!        Photos: Shamela Rambadan

A few days ago, I was gifted some large mangoes. I wasn't sure of the variety, but it looked something like a Graham mango—large, attractive, and almost completely blemish-free.

As any mango lover would, I could hardly wait to cut into it.

The flesh looked almost perfect. There was only a tiny black speck, which I trimmed away without a second thought. As I sliced closer to the seed, determined not to waste a single bite, I noticed something unusual—a dark tunnel leading into the seed.

 A flawless mango on the outside, but the seed tells another story—split open by a silent intruder!                   Photo : Shamela Rambadan

From years of working with crops and pests, I immediately suspected the culprit: Mango Seed Weevil.

My curiosity got the better of me.

Instead of stopping there, I decided to play scientist and investigate further. Armed with a knife, I carefully split open the seed.

 This is where I play mango detective! Lol

What I found was fascinating.

The opened mango seed showing feeding damage, frass, and evidence of mango seed weevil activity.     The arrows show the mango seed weevil that I removed from inside the seed

Three adult mango seed weevils were hiding inside. The cotyledon had been partially eaten away, and the cavity was filled with frass (insect droppings). After giving the weevils a quick wash to remove the debris, I managed to get a clear enough photograph.

Pictured here are two adult mango seed weevils recovered from inside a single mango seed.   The other weevil? He wasn't so lucky! LOL         Photo: Shamela Rambadan

As the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words.

What is Mango Seed Weevil?

Mango Seed Weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae) is a pest that spends most of its life hidden inside the mango seed. The adult female lays eggs on young fruit, and when the larvae hatch, they bore through the fruit and make their way to the seed.

The surprising part is that the mango flesh often remains perfectly edible and shows little or no external damage. Many people never realize a weevil (or weevils) is present until they open the seed.

Should You Be Concerned?

For home gardeners, mango seed weevil is more of a curiosity than a serious problem. The insect feeds on the seed rather than the flesh, so fruit quality is often unaffected.

However, it can reduce seed viability and is considered a quarantine pest in many countries because it can be spread through infested fruit. 

🌍Did you know?

Even though mango seed weevil doesn’t usually affect the fruit’s taste, it’s classified as a quarantine pest in many countries. Travelers who slip mangoes into their luggage risk more than a fine—infested fruit can spread the pest across borders, threatening local agriculture and seed viability. Please resist the urge to do so.

A Reminder for Gardeners

This experience reminded me that even the most beautiful fruit can have a hidden story.

As gardeners, we spend a lot of time looking at leaves, flowers, and fruit surfaces. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries are the ones we don't see until we look a little deeper.

Have you ever cut open a fruit and found an unexpected visitor inside? I'd love to hear your story in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed this garden detective story. The Grey-Haired Gardener shares real-life gardening experiences, pest discoveries, and practical tips from my Caribbean garden.

Grey hair, green thumb, garden savvy

thegreyhairedgardener.blogspot.com

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The Garden Up Close: Beauty Hidden in Plain Sight

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."     — Marcel Proust

A close up of my carailee(bitter gourd) flower on the vine - Photo: Shamela Rambadan

Most mornings, I walk through the garden with a purpose.

Perhaps I'm checking on a plant, pulling a few weeds, or harvesting something for the kitchen. But recently, I found myself slowing down and simply looking.

Not at the garden as a whole, but at the tiny details hidden in plain sight.

The closer I looked, the more I realized that some of the garden's greatest beauty isn't found in the flowers or harvests, but in the small wonders we often walk past.

The first thing that caught my eye was a young sugar apple fruit. At this stage, it's still developing, yet every section is already carefully formed. Looking closely, I was amazed by the intricate pattern and texture. Nature seems to have a way of creating beauty long before a fruit is ready to harvest.

Sugar Apple: A young sugar apple already showing its distinctive pattern and texture

A little further along, I spotted some ripening mulberries. Most of us simply notice when they turn red and eventually darken, but up close they resemble tiny jewels. Each berry is made up of dozens of miniature segments, creating a fascinating texture that is easy to miss from a distance.

Mulberry: Ripening mulberries reveal their intricate structure when viewed up close.

My Mediterranean Fig plant offered another surprise. New leaves emerge tightly folded, carrying all the veins and structure they will need once fully grown. Looking at the young leaf felt like glimpsing nature’s rough draft before the final masterpiece was complete.

 Med Fig: A newly emerging leaf unfolds according to nature's blueprint.

Then there was a simple pink vinca (periwinkle or "old maid") flower. I've walked past countless vincas over the years, but viewed closely, the flower revealed delicate lines, subtle colour changes, and a near perfect balance. What seemed ordinary at first glance became something quite extraordinary.

Vinca: A familiar flower becomes extraordinary when we take the time to look closely.

These small discoveries reminded me that gardening isn't only about growing plants. It's also about learning to observe.

The garden rewards those who slow down.

Sometimes the most interesting sights aren't the biggest harvests or the showiest blooms. Sometimes they're the tiny details that reveal themselves only when we take a closer look.

So the next time you're in your garden, pause for a moment. Look closely at a flower, a leaf, or a developing fruit.

You may be surprised by what you discover.

Have you ever found something fascinating in your garden simply by stopping and looking a little closer? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

🌿 Happy Garden dance!

Gray hair, green thumb and garden savvy

thegreyhairedgardener.blogspot.com

Three Crape Myrtle Colours Brightening My Garden

             

Every year, when my crape myrtles come into bloom, I find myself stopping to admire them all over again.

Here in Trinidad and Tobago, many people know them by another name—Popcorn Flower or Queen of May. The nickname Queen of May is especially fitting because these trees often begin their spectacular flowering season around May, after the April showers help trigger the formation of flower buds.

Whatever name you call them, they are among the easiest flowering trees in my garden, yet they put on one of the biggest shows. Right now, three different colours are blooming—white, soft pink, and a variegated deep pink —and each one brings something special to the landscape.

I often think that crape myrtles are proof that gardening doesn't always have to be complicated. Sometimes the plants that ask the least of us give the greatest rewards.

Just look at that display! When a crepe myrtle is in full bloom, it's easy to see why it becomes the star of the garden.                  Photo: Shamela  Rambadan

Why We Call It Popcorn Flower

Growing up, I often heard people refer to crape myrtles as Popcorn Flower.

The name makes perfect sense when you look closely at the blooms. The clusters of crinkled flowers resemble little pieces of popped corn scattered throughout the branches. Once you hear the nickname, it's hard not to see the resemblance.

The name Queen of May is just as appropriate. Around here, these trees often begin flowering in May, transforming themselves almost overnight into clouds of colour.

For me, their blooming season is one of the sure signs that the garden is moving into another beautiful phase of the year.

Why I Enjoy Growing Crepe Myrtles

Over the years, I've grown many different plants, but crape myrtles remain one of my favourites for reliable colour.

They thrive in our warm climate, tolerate the heat well, and seem perfectly happy with very little fuss. Once established, mine mostly take care of themselves, rewarding me each year with masses of blooms.

What I appreciate most is that they provide months of colour at a time. When many other plants have finished flowering, the crape myrtles are often still putting on a display.

Three Colours, Three Personalities

One of the things I enjoy most is seeing how different each colour feels in the garden.

White: Elegant and Peaceful

The white blooms have a quiet elegance about them. Whenever I look at them, they remind me how beautiful simplicity can be.

Up close, the flowers look as though they were made from delicate crepe paper, with each petal curled and ruffled. I often find myself pausing to admire the details that are easy to miss from a distance.

Soft Pink: Gentle and Cheerful

                               

The soft pink variety always makes me smile. The flower clusters seem almost cloud-like, and the colour adds a gentle brightness to the garden without overpowering everything around it.

When the sunlight catches the blooms, they seem to glow.

Deep Pink: The Show-Off

                                    

If the white crape myrtle is elegant and the soft pink one is charming, then the variegated deep pink variety is definitely the show-off of the group.

Its bold colour immediately catches the eye and draws attention from across the garden. Visitors often notice this one first, and it's easy to see why.

Easy Care, Big Rewards

One reason I often recommend crape myrtles is that they are remarkably easy to grow.

Mine receive plenty of sunshine, occasional pruning, and routine care, but they certainly don't demand constant attention. In return, they provide months of beautiful flowers and become more impressive with each passing year.

For gardeners looking for a dependable flowering tree, they are hard to beat.

A Favourite Corner of My Garden

As I walk through the garden these days, the crape myrtles are impossible to miss. Whether it's the clean beauty of the white blooms, the softness of the pink, or the boldness of the deep pink flowers, each tree contributes something unique.

They remind me that some of the best garden plants are not necessarily the rarest or the most demanding. Sometimes the true stars are the plants that simply show up year after year and do what they do best.

And every time these trees burst into bloom, I'm grateful that Ma (God rest here beautiful soul) planted them.

Do you grow crape myrtles—also known as Popcorn Flower or Queen of May? If so, which colour is your favourite?

Happy Gardening!

Grey hair, green thumb and garden savvy

thegreyhairedgardener.blogspot.com

Giant African Snails: When the Rains Come, the Battle Begins

The strongest gardeners aren't the ones who never face problems—they're the ones who keep planting despite them. - The Grey-Haired Gardener

 This Giant African snail climbing a corn plant. These snails will feed on almost anything, from leafy vegetables to field crops. Photo by Shamela Rambadan
 

I got a couple of requests to do a blogpost on Giant African Snails. I dug up some old field photos ... so here goes......

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One Rainy Season, Thousands of Unwanted Guests

If you garden in Trinidad and Tobago, chances are you've crossed paths with the Giant African Snail.

And by "crossed paths," I mean you've probably found them on your lettuce, your pak choi, your chowrai (Amaranthus  or Bhaji), your flowers, your seedlings, your walls, your drains, and sometimes places where you never imagined a snail could reach!

During the dry season, their numbers often seem manageable. Some gardeners even begin to think they've won the battle.

Then the rains arrive.

Almost overnight, what was once a nuisance becomes an invasion.

The phone calls start.

The complaints begin.

Gardeners stare in disbelief at plants that looked healthy the evening before and wake up to find leaves shredded, seedlings destroyed, and slime trails everywhere.

Unfortunately, this isn't an exaggeration. For many homeowners and farmers, Giant African Snails have become one of the most frustrating pests in the garden.

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They Eat Almost Everything

These snails are not picky eaters.

Leafy vegetables such as lettuce, pak choi, and cabbage are among their favourites, but they will happily feed on a wide range of crops, ornamentals, fruits, and young seedlings.

The photo below was taken years ago when I worked as a Field Officer visiting farmers' fields.

The feeding scars on this melongene were caused by Giant African Snails.

Photo: Feeding damage on melongene caused by Giant African Snails. Photo by Shamela Rambadan.

What starts as a few feeding marks can quickly become significant crop damage when large numbers of snails are present.

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The Night Shift

Another one of my field photos, this one is a pile of dead snails after eating snail bait

Over the years, I've seen gardeners become snail hunters.

When the sun goes down, out come the flashlights.

Some collect snails by hand and dispose of them in buckets of salted water.

Others use hot water, bleach solutions, beer traps, yeast traps, or commercially available snail bait.

Some sprinkle salt directly on the snails.

Many have developed their own homemade methods and swear by them.

For a while, these approaches may seem to work.

But then reality sets in.

Snail bait is expensive.

Maintaining control takes time, effort, and money.

Eventually, many people become discouraged and simply give up.

And that's when the snails start winning again.

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The Neighbourhood Problem

One of the biggest challenges is that snail control often requires a community effort.

You may diligently bait your property, remove snails every night, and destroy egg masses whenever you find them.

But if your neighbours are not doing it, then, as we Trini's say "yuh spinning top in mud!" So, if neighbouring properties are heavily infested, new snails can simply move back into your yard.

Many gardeners feel as though they're fighting the same battle over and over again.

In truth, they often are.

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Floodwaters: Nature's Transportation Service

As if that wasn't enough, the rainy season brings another challenge.

Flooding.

Heavy rainfall can wash both snails and their eggs into drains, rivers, waterways, and nearby communities.

A population that was once concentrated in one area can suddenly appear miles away.

This is one reason why controlling Giant African Snails can be so difficult.

Even when local populations are reduced, new arrivals may eventually replace them.

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Built to Survive

Part of the reason these snails are so successful is that they are remarkably resilient.

They are hermaphroditic, meaning each snail possesses both male and female reproductive organs.

They can also survive for extended periods under unfavourable conditions and may remain inactive for months when food and moisture are scarce.

Then, when the rains return and conditions improve, they become active again and begin feeding voraciously and reproducing.

It's almost as if they've been waiting patiently for the weather forecast to improve.

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An Unexpected Ally

Over the years, I've heard many homeowners swear by an unusual snail-control method: Guinea fowls.

According to some gardeners, these hardworking birds help keep snail populations under control by feeding on them and other garden pests.

Are they a magic solution? No.

Will they eliminate every snail? Probably not.

But when you're facing what feels like a snail invasion, every ally helps.

Of course, Guinea fowls are famous for being noisy little characters, so your neighbours may know exactly when your snail-control team starts work each morning!

Still, many gardeners would gladly put up with the chatter if it means seeing fewer snails and more healthy vegetables.

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A Word of Caution for Consumers

There is another aspect of this issue that deserves attention.

Many gardeners and farmers use snail bait to protect their crops.

While these products can be useful tools, consumers should always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.

This is especially important for leafy vegetables such as:

• Lettuce
• Pak choi
• Chowrai (bhaji)
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Herbs

Bait pellets are poisonous and can sometimes become trapped between leaves and may sometimes be mistaken for popular granular fertilizer.

In addition, snails may leave behind slime and droppings on produce.

Whether vegetables come from your own garden, a roadside vendor, a farmers' market, or a supermarket, good washing practices are always important.

And if you handle Giant African Snails directly, avoid bare-handed contact whenever possible and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

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Will We Ever Win?

That's a question many gardeners are asking.

The truth is that there is no single magic solution.

Control requires persistence, multiple management approaches, and in many cases, cooperation among neighbours and communities.

For now, Giant African Snails remain one of the most stubborn garden pests in Trinidad and Tobago.

But gardeners are a resilient bunch.

We'll keep planting.

We'll keep trying.

And we'll keep hoping that one day the only trails we see in the garden are the ones left by the wheelbarrow.

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Have Your Say

Have Giant African Snails invaded your garden?

What methods have worked for you?

Flashlight patrols? Beer traps? Snail bait? Hand collection?

Share your experiences in the comments. Your tip might help another gardener win a battle in the ongoing Snail Wars of Trinidad and Tobago.

🌿Grey hair, green thumb, garden savvy.
thegreyhairedgardener.blogspot.com

Sharing the Harvest

The best way to multiply your happiness is to share it with others - Unknown

A Box Full of More Than Mangoes

I used to roll my eyes whenever people talked about "Christmas in July."

I never quite understood the excitement.

But now I get it.

July is mango season, people.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! (now I'm singing the song...lol)

Christmas came early when a friend showed up with a box overflowing with Julie mangoes.

Now, if you live in the Caribbean, you know that a box of Julie mangoes is no small thing! It is the kind of gift that instantly brightens your day.

As I looked at the box overflowing with fruit, I couldn't help but smile. Some mangoes were ready to eat, others needed a few more days, and a few carried the little marks and blemishes that remind us they came from a real tree and not a supermarket shelf.

But as I stood there admiring my unexpected treasure, I realized this wasn't really a story about mangoes.

It was a story about sharing. 

By evening, I found myself counting mangoes—not to see how many I had received, but to decide who I could share them with.

When the Harvest Is Too Good to Keep

One of the wonderful challenges of gardening is abundance.

Sometimes a tree produces more fruit than one family can possibly use. Before long, the kitchen counter is full, the fruit bowl is overflowing, and you're trying to decide who to call before everything ripens at once!

That is often when the harvest begins its journey.

A few mangoes go to a neighbour.

A bag is sent to a relative.

A friend leaves with more fruit than they expected.

And just like that, one tree feeds many households.

The Harvest Continues

As grateful as I was for this generous gift, I knew I couldn't keep all those mangoes to myself. There were simply too many for my household to enjoy before some became overripe.

So I did what gardeners have done for generations.

I shared them.

 A bowlful of mangoes ready to be shared

As I packed mangoes to pass along, I found myself thinking about something my mother always taught us:

"Share whatever little you have."

It didn't matter whether it was food, fruit, or simply your time. If you had enough to help someone else, you shared.

Those lessons stay with you.

The box of mangoes that arrived at my home did not stop being a gift when it reached my doorstep. The gift simply continued its journey to someone else.

More Than Fruit

Gardening teaches us many things—patience, persistence, and gratitude among them.

But perhaps one of the greatest lessons is this: a harvest is about more than what we grow.

It is about the friendships we nurture, the kindness we pass along, and the joy of sharing what we have been blessed with.

As the saying goes:

"For it is in giving that we receive."

And sometimes, the sweetest part of the harvest isn't the mango itself—it's knowing that someone else gets to enjoy it too.

One of the many sweet rewards of mango season. Yum!

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🌱 Over to You

Have you ever received a gift from someone's garden—or shared part of your own harvest with others?

I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.

Until next time, keep growing, keep sharing, and keep dancing that happy garden dance! 💚🌿🥭

Grey hair, green thumb, garden savvy.
thegreyhairedgardener.blogspot.com

The Best Gardening Lessons Didn't Come From a Book

 "A garden teaches lessons that no classroom can contain."

 - The Grey-Haired Gardener

                                                           My well-worn garden path 

There are countless gardening books, websites, and videos available today. If I have a gardening question, I can usually find an answer in a matter of minutes.

But when I think about the most valuable lessons I've learned in the garden, many of them didn't come from a book at all.

They came from experienced gardeners whose hands had spent years in the soil. Some lessons were shared through conversation. Others were learned simply by watching.

And a few were learned the hard way!

One of the first lessons I discovered is that patience is just as important as fertilizer. When we're excited about a new plant, it's tempting to expect instant results. Yet gardens operate on their own schedule. Seeds germinate when they're ready, fruit ripens in its own time, and some plants spend months preparing for a moment of glory.

Seeds 'germinating'                  Image Credit: Dendron Chamberlain on Pexels.com

Another lesson is that every failure teaches something useful. Most gardeners can tell stories about plants that didn't survive, seeds that never sprouted, or pests that arrived unexpectedly. While those moments can be frustrating, they often become our greatest teachers.

I've also learned the value of simply observing the garden. Experienced gardeners seem to notice things that others miss—a change in leaf colour, a new insect visitor, or signs that rain may be on the way. Spending a few quiet minutes walking through the garden each day can reveal far more than any gardening guide.

                        The notorious Striped Cucumber Beetle feeding on my Bhaji(spinach) leaf

Perhaps the most important lesson is that gardening knowledge is meant to be shared. A cutting given by a neighbour, seeds passed from a friend, or advice offered over a garden fence can become part of a growing tradition that connects gardeners across generations.

                                                 Mature Bodi seeds ready for planting (or sharing)

In many ways, gardening is about much more than growing plants. It's about passing along knowledge, stories, and experiences. Long after a harvest is finished, those lessons remain.

As gardeners, we continue to learn from one another, just as generations before us did.

So I'd love to hear from you:

What's the best gardening lesson someone taught you that never came from a book?

Happy gardening and may your garden always give you something new to learn.

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Do you have a favourite gardening tip that was passed down through your family or shared by another gardener? Leave a comment below and share your story. The best garden wisdom often grows when it's shared.

Grey hair, green thumb, garden savvy

thegreyhairedgardener.blogspot.com