Growing Food in Jamaica: Eat What We Grow, Share What We Have

Growing food in Jamaica is something more of us can embrace, even if we have only a small backyard, a few containers, or limited space to work with. As we observe Eat Jamaican Month this November, I want to encourage you to consider growing some of the food you eat and discovering the joy, satisfaction, and possibilities that come with it.

My own journey into container gardening and herbal wellness has become a meaningful part of my everyday life. I enjoy growing herbs and some of the foods I eat, exploring Jamaican bush teas, and learning more about traditional herbal practices. These experiences have brought me closer to nature and encouraged me to embrace a more intentional approach to living and wellness.

I believe there is something particularly valuable about knowing that at least some of the food on your plate came from something you planted, nurtured, and harvested yourself.

Eat Jamaican Month: Celebrating What We Grow

November is observed annually as Eat Jamaican Month, a time when we are encouraged to support Jamaican agriculture, appreciate locally grown produce, and make intentional choices about the food we consume.

For me, celebrating Eat Jamaican goes beyond purchasing Jamaican produce at the supermarket, market, or roadside vendor. It also means thinking about how we can participate in growing some of that food ourselves.

We often talk about the importance of supporting local farmers, and that remains incredibly important. But what if more of us also started growing something at home?

What if, instead of looking at our small yards, patios, or unused corners as insignificant spaces, we began to see them as opportunities? What if we started with just one or two containers?

I believe growing even a small amount of food at home is a practical way to participate in the spirit of Eat Jamaican Month. The message I want to share is simple: Grow what we eat, eat what we grow.

And if we cannot grow everything we eat, we can certainly explore growing some of it.

My little Bell Pepper tree and Potato Slips, growing in my container garden.

Growing Food in Jamaica: You Don’t Need a Large Garden

One of the misconceptions about gardening is that you need a large piece of land to make it worthwhile. I understand why people might think this. When we imagine a garden, we often picture rows of vegetables, expansive plots of land, or farms with plenty of space.

However, my experience with container gardening has taught me that gardening can begin on a much smaller scale. You do not need acres of land. You do not need a traditional garden bed. You do not even need to grow everything at once. A few containers can provide an opportunity to grow herbs, vegetables, and other edible plants.

Look around your space. 

• Is there a small backyard? 
• An unused corner? 
• A few buckets or pots that could accommodate plants?

Depending on the sunlight, drainage, and available space, you may be able to grow scallions, herbs, peppers, tomatoes, or other suitable crops. The important thing is to start with what you have.

Of course, gardening requires patience, observation, and a willingness to learn. Not everything will grow as expected, and some plants will require more attention than others, but that is part of the experience. Every plant teaches you something.

What I Am Growing in My Container Garden

My container garden is gradually becoming a source of food, herbs, and everyday enjoyment. Among the edible plants I am currently growing are scallions, rosemary, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers (also called sweet peppers in Jamaica), red callaloo, and cucumber.

I am also growing other herbs for my bush teas. Some of these plants are already contributing to my meals, while others are still developing. Scallions and rosemary are two of the herbs I have been harvesting and enjoying.

There is something satisfying about stepping outside, harvesting what I need, and bringing it directly into my kitchen. I have been using my scallions to flavour meals, and rosemary has also become a welcome addition to my cooking. Occasionally, I use scallions and rosemary in my herbal tea preparations as well.

These little experiences remind me that gardening does not have to produce a large harvest to be meaningful. Even a handful of freshly harvested herbs can make a difference in the kitchen.

Looking Forward to the Harvest

While I am already enjoying some of what my garden produces, I am looking forward to harvesting the other crops when they are ready. I am especially anticipating the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, red callaloo, and cucumber.

There is a different kind of appreciation that comes from waiting for something you have planted to mature. You water it, observe it, nurture it, and hope that the conditions will be favourable. 

• Sometimes things go well. 
• Sometimes they do not. 
• That uncertainty is part of gardening. 

I am hoping for a bountiful harvest, not just because I want to enjoy the fruits of my labour, but because I would love to share some of what I grow with my neighbours. And that brings me to another aspect of gardening that I find particularly meaningful.

My cucumber seedlings are growing nicely alongside my scallion that I harvested many times.

Growing Food and Sharing With Neighbours

Two of my neighbours are also growing food in their small backyard gardens. I find that encouraging. Imagine what could happen if more of us adopted this approach. One household grows scallions and peppers, another grows callaloo, and someone else grows tomatoes, cucumbers, or sweet potatoes. When the harvest comes, we share.

You grow something, and encourage your neighbour to grow something else. That way, we can all benefit from what each household produces. It does not have to be complicated or organised into a formal community project. It can begin with a simple conversation over the fence.

“Look how much scallion I have. Would you like some?”

“These tomatoes are ready. I have more than I can use.”

“I have some sweet potatoes coming along. What are you growing?”

These small exchanges can help build stronger relationships while encouraging us to make better use of the spaces we have. They also remind us that food is more than something we purchase and consume. It can be something we cultivate together.

I believe this kind of sharing is worth encouraging, especially as we become more conscious of food security and the importance of having access to fresh, nutritious food.

Why Growing Some of Your Own Food Matters

Growing food at home will not eliminate the need to purchase groceries, and a small container garden will not feed an entire household. However, it can contribute something valuable.

For me, there are several reasons why I believe more Jamaicans should consider growing at least some of their own food:

1. It encourages greater appreciation for food: When you plant and nurture something yourself, you begin to appreciate the effort involved in producing it. You become more aware of the time, care, and conditions required for food to grow.

2. It gives you access to fresh ingredients: Having herbs and vegetables growing nearby makes it easier to harvest what you need when preparing meals. For me, this is the best part, LOL!

3. It can make use of available space: Even small spaces can sometimes accommodate a few edible plants. Container gardening offers opportunities for people who do not have access to traditional garden plots.

4. It encourages connection with nature: Gardening has become one of the ways I spend time outdoors, observe nature, and nurture something beyond myself.

5. It creates opportunities for sharing: A successful harvest can become an opportunity to share with neighbours, friends, and family.

These benefits are not necessarily about producing large quantities of food. They are about making small, meaningful changes in how we live.

Growing In Food in Jamaica – my little pot of rosemary and red (purple) callaloo. Learn more about how and why I am growing red callaloo in my garden.

Gardening, Wellness, and Intentional Living

My interest in gardening is closely connected to my broader wellness journey. As a woman in my 50s, I have become increasingly interested in living more intentionally, paying attention to my wellbeing, and finding simple ways to bring more meaning into everyday life.

Container gardening has become one of those activities. It gives me something to nurture, encourages me to spend time outdoors, I get some exercise in while moving around, and it provides opportunities to learn.

My interest in Jamaican bush teas and traditional herbal practices also complements this journey. I enjoy exploring the herbs I grow, learning about their traditional uses, and discovering ways to incorporate them into my everyday routines.

For me, this journey is about curiosity, learning, and developing a deeper appreciation for the plants around us. It is also about understanding that wellness can involve many different aspects of our lives. Sometimes, it is the simple act of tending to a plant, preparing a meal with freshly harvested herbs, or sitting outside and observing what is growing that brings a sense of fulfilment. These small moments matter.

The Time Is Coming When You May Be Glad You Started

I want to encourage my fellow Jamaicans, people in the Caribbean, and wherever else you are in this wonderful world to think seriously about growing some of the food you eat.

We cannot predict what the future will bring. Food prices, availability, weather conditions, and other circumstances can affect our households in different ways. However, learning to grow even a little food is a practical skill worth developing. You do not have to wait until you have more money, more land, or the perfect garden setup.

Start small. Grow scallions in a container. Try a pepper plant. Plant some herbs that you enjoy using in your meals. Learn how to grow something suitable for your space and climate. And as you learn, encourage someone else to do the same. The time may come when you will be grateful that you started.

I am not suggesting that everyone become a farmer. I am simply encouraging us to become a little more involved in producing some of the food we eat. Every plant counts, every harvest counts, and every little effort can contribute to something bigger.

Grow What We Eat… Eat What We Grow

As we observe Eat Jamaican Month, I hope we will look beyond the familiar ways of celebrating Jamaican food and consider how we can become more involved in growing it.

My little container garden is still a work in progress. I am learning, experimenting, harvesting, and looking forward to what is to come. I hope to enjoy more of the food I grow, continue exploring Jamaican bush teas, and eventually share some of my harvest with my neighbours. And perhaps that is where the real beauty of this journey lies.

We do not have to do everything ourselves. We can grow what we are able to grow, purchase from our Jamaican farmers, support local agriculture, and share with one another.

If you have a little space, I encourage you to start. If you already have a garden, encourage someone else to plant something. And if your neighbour is growing something you are not, perhaps there is an opportunity to share. 

Let us make growing food a more intentional part of our everyday lives, and whenever possible, let us grow a little more than we need, so that we can share what we have.

Happy Eat Jamaican Month!

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I would love to hear from you: Are you growing any of your own food or herbs at home? What are you planting, and what has your experience been like? Share in the comments below.