Pothole Farming

When I first heard the expression “pothole farming”, I thought why in the world would the Bahamas want to grow more potholes? They have plenty!

Pothole farming is a method of planting which has been used for centuries in the Bahamas. The limestone rock here dissolves away in places forming holes in the rock. These holes collect soil and plants can begin to grow. Most farmers in the Bahamas are subsistence farmers, meaning that they grow only enough food to feed their families, but some grow enough that they have surplus to sell.

Several weeks ago Mike went with some friends to visit a nursery on Long Island. He was amazed to learn about this farming practice from the couple, Bev and Sam who run the nursery out of their home.

Plants growing in potholes around the nursery.

Of course, the holes in the limestone are not in straight lines, so the farmers just have to plant where the holes are. The growing season in the Bahamas is from September to May. Sam explained that they have to fill the holes with soil each year before planting. The rock hole collects rain water, but since the rock is porous, it allows the water to drain.

Sam, the owner of the nursery, with our friends, Dawn and Marty.

Sam was happy to talk about the produce he grows!

Bev told Mike the story of when the hurricane Joaquin stalled over Long Island two years ago. They had 200 mph hour winds for 2 days. She said that the winds were so loud that they couldn’t even talk to each in their home. When she went outside after the hurricane there was nothing green left in their beautiful nursery.

Dawn bought several items from the nursery: avocados, papaya, pomegranates, limes and sour oranges. She gave us a sour orange and a papaya to try. I had never had papaya before and I always love trying new things. It was very good – nice and juicy!

Papaya!

As I mentioned in the last blog post, I had an opportunity to learn first hand about pothole farming in the Black Point. I bought a woven basket from a woman named Francis who lives in Black Point. Somehow we started talking about gardening and she invited me to walk around her home to see what she grows there.

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After showing me everything she grows around her home, Francis invited me to come with her the next day to see her pigeon pea field. I told her that because the weather was finally settling down, we planned to leave Black Point the next day. But then Mike and I talked about it and decided that picking peas with Francis is an opportunity I may never have again, so we decided to delay our departure.

The next morning, bright and early Francis, a friend of hers, and two children, Calea and Seth walked out of town together. Francis carried a large bucket and a cutlass. Bahamians speak English, but sometimes with strong accent making it difficult to understand everything. But we managed to converse on the way to the fields and shared stories about our lives. Eventually, we walked off the side of the road into the brush. Francis went first and slashed at the overgrowing shrubs with her cutlass to clear the path to her field.

She then told me what to pick and we all got straight to work. Apparently, the green pods can be picked for soft, fresh peas, and the brown, dead-looking pods contain dried peas that have to be boiled before eating. I picked some of both. Click on the pics to see the captions.

Seth in the field of pigeon peas.

Green and brown pods.

Francis filling her bucket.

The peas grow tall makes them relatively easy to pick.

 

Calea saw me taking pictures and asked if she could take one of me. Next she wanted to take a picture of both of us! Eventually, we got a good one!

 

Then we needed a picture of Seth. He was certain that these small berries he found were miniature tomatoes and he was pretending to eat them.

On the way back to the road they asked me if I wanted to try some pigeon plums. Of course I did, so Francis’ friend picked some for me. They looked like blueberries, but were not as juicy. The kids enjoyed them but soon there were no more within reach. My height came in handy to finish the picking!

Picking pigeon plums.

Pigeon plums.

Seth picked a dilly fruit, but it wasn’t ripe yet!

I love how they found things to eat growing wild along the road.

We resumed our walk back to the settlement and Francis continued to identify every plant we passed.

Later I realized that shelling the peas takes 10 times longer than picking them!

At least I had good company!

Chipper always manages to be in the middle of things!

Time to make some Peas ‘n Rice!

What a great day! I enjoyed spending time with these generous Bahamian women, I had fun with the kids and I learned a lot about growing things in the Bahamas. I had taken one last picture of Francis walking home with a bucket of pigeon peas and her cutlass by her side. A hard working woman!