To Be a Farmer

Trish and Remi sowing the white maize at the Stories & Supper allotment

It is my passion to grow and eat organic plants. We had a big poultry farm in my native country Zimbabwe. We had lots of animals, but my happiness was in growing plants. It made me love to taste my own plants wherever I am, regardless of the weather. It feels good to grow plants and communicate with them as I watch them grow every day.

I always ask my family from my country to send me seeds, for pumpkin leaves, white corn, ground nuts and okra. I wait for the sun to come out in March and start to grow my seeds in bottles, covered with tissues so they don’t get cold, on the window sill so they get light. I put them in the soil at the end of April. I don’t put any chemicals on my plants. I use dry grass left over as manure. For any insects that try to eat my plants, I spray salt. That’s all.

In June, I start to enjoy eating pumpkin leaves in peanut butter, greens and cherry tomatoes, whilst my corn is still growing. I keep watering once a week. I enjoy eating what I grow with my own hands. Be a farmer wherever you are. Use your hands. You will eat healthily and live stronger and longer.