'Koperativa
Fresku i Organiko' (Cooperation Fresh and Organic) organised an
evening of lectures in Papiamento. First
speaker was Gianne Balentien. She told how people become more aware
on healthy food. We, consumers and gardeners, shape the future. We
have to take it in our own hands. That's why this evening was
organised.
Then
guest speaker Ruben Prince explained the basic principles of the best
solution for agriculture at Curaçao very well. The main principle is
restoration of the soil. At Curaçao the soil is rich in nitrogen,
but poor in organic materials. He recommends making compost. A
compost pile has to be four parts carbon (plant materials) on one
part nitrogen. Every four days you mix your compost. If you keep the
compost moist, after 28 days it's ready for use.
Watering
plants with the tap water of Aqualectra is not good. The pH of this
water is too high, it's about 7 or 8, while plants need about 6.5. It
contains chlorine too, killing all organic material (that's what it's
for).
Because
of the erosion the temperature in the uncovered soil rises to 45
degrees (C) during the day. Such a high temperature kills everything
living in the soil. So the soil must be covered, this is done with
'mulch'. Mulch is a layer of organic material (leaves, wood chips,
grass, cardboard, paper) of about 20 cm, to cool down the soil
temperature to about 23 degrees (C). That's a nice temperature for
your tomato and pepper plants!
Then
he told about the iguanas: feed the enemy! Plant a reserved part in
your garden with 'iguana food', so they'll stay there and won't eat
your edible plants.
More
information on permaculture, f.e. the chicken tractor, manure (how
much and when to use), etc. you can visit him at his terrain near
Sint Joris, where he is busy providing Curaçao professionally with
organic food products.
