Tropical Treasures: Avocado, Dragon Fruit & Rambutan at the Market

This weekend I wandered through the market, camera in hand, to see what was fresh and inspiring. Here’s what caught my eye.

There’s something magical about wandering through the market and stumbling upon fruits that are as beautiful as they are delicious. This week, three tropical treasures stood out to me — creamy avocados, striking dragon fruit, and the playful, spiky rambutan. Each one tells its own story of flavour, colour, and seasonality, and I couldn’t resist sharing a glimpse of them with you.

Come along for this little market stroll, and let’s celebrate the abundance these fruits bring — not just to our plates, but to the vibrant rhythm of Caribbean life. 

🥑 Avocados: Creamy & Local

Photo:  The Pollock variety is known for its large fruits and mouth-watering buttery flavour

There’s nothing like local avocados — big, buttery, full of flavour and in season. Unlike the small supermarket varieties, these are a true seasonal treat. Slice them into a salad, mash them on toast, or simply enjoy with a pinch of salt and pepper. And yes, if you’re curious, you can even sprout the seed at home in a jar of water — a fun little garden experiment.

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🐉 Dragon Fruit: Nature’s Artwork

Dragon fruit is always a showstopper at the market. With its bold pink skin and speckled interior, it’s as much art as it is food. Sweet, refreshing, and packed with antioxidants, it feels like a tropical jewel. Did you know dragon fruit grows like a type of cactus? It’s one of those fruits that beautifully ties the wildness of the tropics to the abundance of the market.

                                                Photo: Dragon Fruits displayed for sale according to size

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🌺 Rambutan: Spiky on the Outside, Sweet Within

Rambutans look like little firework bursts with their spiky red or yellow shells, but inside they hide a juicy, sweet surprise. They’re a fun snack, perfect for sharing, and always a conversation starter. Every time I see them, I’m reminded how playful and surprising nature can be — turning something spiky into something irresistibly sweet and they’re one of those market finds you just can’t pass by.

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The market is always full of surprises, but avocados, dragon fruit, and rambutan felt like the stars of the season. From the creamy richness of avocado to the jewel-like dragon fruit and the sweet surprise inside rambutan, these tropical treasures remind me how much joy fresh food brings.

Next time you’re at your local market, keep an eye out for these colourful finds — and let them inspire your kitchen or even your garden. After all, a simple basket of fruit can spark a happy garden dance of its own.

That was my little market adventure this week. Do you have a favorite market find? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear what inspires you.

 Happy Gardening!

 The Grey-Haired Gardener

Powdery Mildew: My Garden Battle Plan

                                Credit: https://finwise.edu.vn/pictures-o-169392057751378/

I’ve lost count of the number of times powdery mildew has crept into my garden — that white, dusty coating that makes it look like I’ve sprinkled flour over my plants. It spreads quickly, but the good news is: once you know what to look for (and how to act fast), you can keep it under control. Here’s my simple guide:

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What is Powdery Mildew?

• A fungal disease that looks like white or gray powder on leaves and stems.

• Thrives in warm, humid, low-airflow conditions.

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The Culprit

• Caused by several fungi (Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Golovinomyces) depending on the plant.

• Doesn’t matter which one — they all act the same in the garden.

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How I Spot It

• White/gray powder patches on the top of leaves (sometimes underneath).

• Leaves may curl or twist.

• In bad cases, leaves yellow and drop early.

• On fruits/flowers: blotchy, dull, powdery marks.

💡 My quick test: If it wipes off between my fingers, it’s likely powdery mildew.

PHOTO:  Powdery mildew on Cucurbit leaf

Credit: https://finwise.edu.vn/pictures-o-169392057751378/

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Crops I Watch Closely

Some plants are mildew magnets in my climate (humid Caribbean). In your garden, these may be at risk too:

• Cucumbers, squash, pumpkins

• Tomatoes, peppers

• Beans and peas

• Roses

• Herbs like basil, parsley, mint

    Photo: Powdery mildew on tomato leaf

Credit: https://finwise.edu.vn/pictures-o-169392057751378/

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My Treatment Checklist

✅ Step 1: Cultural Practices (Prevention First!)

• Space plants so air circulates.

• Water at the soil, not on leaves.

• Prune overcrowded growth.

• Remove infected leaves — don’t compost them.

Photo: Watering at the base of a plant, not on leaves

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✅ Step 2: Natural Sprays That Work for Me

• Baking Soda Spray: 1 tbsp baking soda + 1 tsp liquid soap + 1 gallon water. Spray weekly.

• Milk Spray: 1 part milk to 9 parts water. Great on cucumbers.

• Neem Oil: Natural fungicide + insect repellent.

                            Photo: Home-made baking soda spray

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✅ Step 3: Resistant Varieties

• When I buy seeds, I look for “powdery mildew resistant” on the packet (especially cucumbers & squash).

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✅ Step 4: Tough Decisions

• If mildew covers most of a plant, I pull it up to protect the rest of the garden. Hard to do, but better in the long run.

Photo: Infected plant pulled-up from the garden. It is best to place this in a Garden waste bag and remove from the garden.                                                                                         Credit: Lejla from Pexels.com

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Wrap-Up

Powdery mildew looks scarier than it is. Once I started acting quickly — spotting it early, spraying weekly, and keeping my plants well-spaced — it became just another garden chore instead of a disaster.

 Download my free Powdery Mildew Quick Action Checklist here

🌿 Grey-Haired Gardener Tip: The moment you see a white patch, take action. Don’t wait for it to spread — this fungus moves faster than you think.

 Photo: Healthy (disease free) cucumber vine on trellis

 Credit: Eli Pluma from Pexels.com

Happy Gardening!🌸

The Grey-Haired Gardener

Bug Off! Safe & Natural Pest Control for Home Gardens

                                     

    Photo: Lady Bird Beetle on  a leaf

     Image Credit: Jason Reid from Pexels.com

Nothing steals the joy from a “happy garden dance” faster than finding your prized tomato leaves riddled with holes or your mint covered in tiny sap-sucking bugs. But before you reach for harsh chemicals, here’s the good news: there are safe, natural ways to protect your plants — and your pollinators — without harming your soil or your health.

Why Go Natural?

Chemical pesticides may work fast, but they can linger in the soil, wash into waterways, and harm the very insects we want in our gardens, like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs. Natural pest control keeps your food chemical-free, supports a healthier ecosystem, and is surprisingly effective when done consistently.

                                            Photo: Lacewing Insect
                                                    Image Credit: Egor Kamelev from Pexels.com

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Know Your Enemy

The first step to winning the pest battle is knowing who you’re up against.

Common Caribbean Garden Pests:

• Aphids – Tiny sap-suckers found on tender new leaves.

• Whiteflies – Thrive in warm, humid conditions and multiply fast.

• Mealybugs – White, cottony pests that attack herbs, ornamentals, and fruit trees.

• Armyworms – Caterpillars that skeletonize leaves overnight.

Common Temperate Garden Pests:

• 🐌Slugs & Snails – Leaf-munching night crawlers.

• Japanese Beetles – Metallic green beetles that chew flowers and leaves.

• Cabbage Worms – Hide in leafy greens.

• Spider Mites – Speckle leaves and thrive in dry conditions.

  
   Photo: Close up of Red Spider mite     Credit : Egor Kamelev from Pexels.com

                          Photo : Japanese beetle  feeding on a flower petal                                                                Credit: Ocktavianus Mulyadi from Pexels.com

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Step 1: Prevention is Your Best Friend

Healthy plants are less attractive to pests. Keep your garden in tip-top shape by:

• Watering smartly – Avoid soggy soil that attracts fungus gnats and root rot.

• Feeding regularly – Use compost or organic fertilizers for strong growth.

• ✂Pruning & spacing – Good airflow keeps fungal pests away.

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Step 2: Safe & Natural Pest Control Methods

1. Companion Planting 🌿

Some plants naturally repel pests or attract beneficial insects.

• Marigolds deter nematodes and aphids.

• Basil near tomatoes repels whiteflies.

• Mint discourages ants and aphids.

2. Neem Oil Spray

• Mix 1 teaspoon neem oil + ½ teaspoon mild liquid soap in 1 litre (1 quart) water.

• Spray on affected leaves (top & underside) in the early morning or evening.

3. Homemade Soap Spray

• Mix 1 teaspoon mild dish soap in 1 litre (1 quart) water.

• Targets aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.

4. Garlic & Chili Spray

• Blend 5 cloves garlic + 2 hot peppers with 1 litre (1 quart) water.

• Strain, add 1 teaspoon soap, and spray as a strong deterrent.

5. Barriers & Traps

• Fine mesh netting for leafy greens.

• Beer traps for slugs.

• Sticky yellow cards for whiteflies.

                                        Photo: Yellow Sticky cards

                                                    Image Credit: Reddit.com

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Photo: Lacewing insect

Image Credit: Manuel Bartsch from Pexels.com

                    Photo: Yellow Jacket wasp with Caterpillar 

                            Image Credit:Олександр К   from Pexels.com

 Photo: Wasp feeding on Caterpillar                                  Image Credit: Sinan from Pexels.com

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Step 3: Invite the Good Guys In

Not all insects are bad!

• 🐞Ladybugs & lacewings eat aphids.

• Parasitic wasps keep caterpillars🐛 in check.

• 🐝Bees & butterflies pollinate your crops.

Plant nectar-rich flowers (like zinnias🌺, cosmos, or sunflowers🌻) to keep them around.

                            Photo: Beneficial Lady Bird beetles feeding on aphids
                                                    Credit: Ali Goode from Pexels.com

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Extra Tips for Tropical Gardens 🌴

• Use light-colored mulch to reflect heat and deter some pests.

• Water in the early morning so plants dry before night (reduces fungal issues).

• Rotate crops seasonally to break pest cycles.

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Natural Pest Spray Recipes – Free Download

I’ve put together a printable recipe card with the garlic-chili spray, neem spray, and soap spray — perfect to keep in your garden shed

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Final Thoughts

Keeping your garden pest-free without chemicals takes a little patience, but the rewards — healthy plants, safe food, and buzzing pollinators — are worth it. Try one or two of these methods this week and see which works best for you.

Have a natural pest control trick that works wonders in your garden? Share it in the comments below — let’s keep the bug battle tips flowing!

 Happy Gardening! 🌸

 The Grey-Haired Gardener