While most young people might frown on the idea of agriculture or working the land, a young man from Colihaut has launched an initiative which goes with his expectation of Dominica being a green and environmentally friendly island.
Mitchel John recently launched a backyard gardening project which he said is an ideal way to transform vacant backyard plots into cost-cutting, environmentally friendly gardens.
And he is encouraging other young people to follow his example.
John started his backyard garden, more as a hobby than anything else. Little did he know it would blossom into a full blown project.
“It wasn’t a project,” he told DNO. “I was doing it just for fun and then I joined BRBP TV on Facebook…. that’s a positive group from Portsmouth …and I was encouraged to inform others of it.”
John said although he was skeptical about telling others of his hobby, he took the advice of his friend, Lynworth Mitchel, and started a Facebook page.
“He was the one who advised me; ‘since you are doing backyard gardening and you do it so well, why don’t you inform others on how to do it, why don’t you start a Facebook page about backyard gardening?'” he said.
John noted that he started the Youtube channel and also a Facebook page called ‘Agrosuede Backyard Garden’ and since then the hobby has taken on a new dimension.
In his backyard garden John grows various short term crops such as peppers, tomatoes, avocado, golden apple, sorrel and papaya.
He also noted that he built a structure which he allows waste water from his home to remain in the yard. This in turn allows the ground to remain moist. He added further that he avoids using chemicals in his garden.
On his Facebook and Youtube pages John encourages other to recycle and develop a backyard garden that is eco-friendly and economical.
“Backyard gardening in some way will keep the doctors away,” he said. “There are many herbal medicines, fruits and vegetable that can cure and prevent sickness and diseases. So if someone is suffering from or at risk of contracting a sickness, they can plant a plant that will cure, or help prevent such, thus decreasing their need to visit a doctor, or even buy over-the-counter-drugs. We hope to promote an Eco-friendly backyard gardening, by using proper measures to control pest.”
The young gardener is encouraging others across the island to get on board with backyard gardening since “it is a sure way to save and make money and maintain food security.”
Click link below to visit John’s Facebook page to see photos and ideas on how to develop a backyard garden.
See some photos below
Great JOB.I am encouraged.Been planting in my backyard in New Jersey for years, but did not do anything last year.This year I am going to plant.I got Grapes, Strawberries,chives and Pumpkins which i do not have to replant.Tomatoes,cabbage,lettuse and sweet peppers i plant everyyear. Keep it up and i am hopping to link up with you on Utube
A Big congratulations across the miles to my nephew Mitchel. May heaven smile upon you always.
nice work stone boy
I like this initiative. Congrats to you, John.
Keep up the good work stay motivated
Congrats.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mitchel what can i say you are a special young man, keep it up.
Use 1.5 liter water bottles to grow your lettuce if you are pressed for space. Cut bottles in half and bore holes at the bottom or base. add your soil mixture of soil, sand and compost.Stretch a line between two poles. Use a hard wire to hook half bottles on line. Transplant seedling and water regularly and watch your lettuce grow.Recycling is the way to go. Go Mitchell Go.
Great job mitchell. Hope your initiative motivate others. Before the advent of the internet persons held back information as a power base. But the more you share information the longer your info will remain alive. Harvested 120 pounds of cucumber right here in Colihaut in my backyard garden.I am available for an interview> I would like to partner with you to spread the info. I am currently growing corn,tomato, bell sweet peppers,pumpkin and okro.
Congrats brother man…Positive vibes.
Keep God First no telling how far u will go
congrats john….keep it up
Great idea.. l lives in new Jersey and have been thinking very hard on moving back home to work my land including my back yard now. I hope people will get motivated by this idea.
Excellent initiative, Mitchel.
May I suggest you encourage Local Government Department to organize an annual competition for backyard gardening?
Go Mitch, go!
Mitchel John who is your mom and dad..Dont know this kid.Anyone can help me
Virgin Langlais is his mother and Allan John is his father.
Indeed I am happy to see this. No doubt you will become one of the greats here in Dominica and the Caribbean by extension. Let God use your gift to the fullest of your abilities. I know… he will succeed. Remember life is what you make of it.
More Life
LM
Thank you DNO for making this report a reality! Also, I am indeed encouraged by everyone’s positive comments and messages!! Yes, I am a proud youth of Dominica, yesterday, today, and tomorrow (God’s willing). I will do my best to inform, demonstrate, and educate others on doing backyard Gardening.
Mitchel you did not take it far. Ur dad likes planting things too.You talk better than ur Pm.I like your style and I hate to hear the Pm tajk ,.you taLK LIKE YOU ARE WELL EDUCATED. THX
Way to go Mitchel. Am so proud of you
Great initiative Mitchel. Do your thing. I wish you luck with this venture.
nice mitchell congrats on ur garden…..i’m jealous i wanna do one.loving your
OUTSTANDING!!
This can be an icome generator for you as well young man. You can sell your produce to places liek Whitchurch, etc. Good luck and stay positive my friend.
He going to sell to Witchurch with a backyard garden? What is wrong with some of you people?
Fantastic to see that. So positive, so good. Marpin news should show that. Mister can feed himself, sell some and have pride. Thumbs up all the way.
Ooohhhhhh my my my! That’s my kinda guy. I love this project. Just can’t fully express how i feel. Get occupied young people – there is so much we can do if we just think positive. God put Adam in a garden; then Eve messed it up. You see Women? hhhur…
Plantation is missing one thing, the HEALING OF THE NATION!!!
Don’t go and mess up the man garden with your little “seeds.”
Congrats and continue the good work.
way to go mitcho!!!! keep it up!!!!
way to go mitcho
Well done John!!! I wish some of our young men would follow your footsteps and stop complaining that there are no jobs and blame the government for not trying to help themselves. Keep up the good work.
That is a wonderful idea, any one who has the space should do it Dominica land is very fertile, the exercise is good for the body, and growing your own food is wonderful, I hope this project take root fast[excuse the pond] good luck young man.
A Dominican diaspora from Cali.
Lovely,way to go.ido this alot in d uk
Yessss my brother!!
Wish we had the introduction video we did back in December when you launched… We need to schedule another…
Keep up the hardwork!! We gonna change Dominica!!! #BrBpTv
Dominica has good and this is a perfect example. Great job get all the young people in DA to do the same.
Word typo, very, not vert
Vert impressive. You seem to have a green thumb. Hope many will take the initiative and follow your example and try to.be more productive in the country.
Good job John! It’s so nice seeing something positive about my village. Keep it up. Believe me, you can make some nice cucumber in that spot
I have often wondered why backyard gardening is not more popular in Dominica where the temperature is perfect year-round with ample water available.
My backyard is landscaped with stonework and flowers, so I grow peppers and tomatoes in pots during the summer. It is amazing how much I get during a short gorwing season.