organic gardening Archives ~ JustPene

This project of growing yams began on June 11, 2020. Gee loves yams, and though it is not a favorite of mine I wanted to try growing some for him.

I cut the yams into the pieces you see above then coated the cut sides with the ashes. The ashes helps to prevent bugs from eating the yam pieces before they begin growing.

I let the ashes adhere for about 1 hour then I planted them approximately 1 inch from the surface, I watered them and let nature do the rest.

This is ashes I used from the BBQ grill.

The yams are freshly planted and watered, I did not water them heavily as I did not want to wash out the ashes too much and I lightly sprinkled some ashes on top of the soil.

Two weeks later the purple yams came up, I was overjoyed. The two purple pieces are the buds of purple yams that was among the regular white yams. Those peeked out first and were a bright fuchsia in color. I was ecstatic. They were growing.

They began growing quite rapidly.

Three weeks later the white yams peeked out (they began growing out one week after the purple).

I watch these plants every day like they are my babies.

By one month yams the yams were really growing and I began to relax as more and more were growing out.

The yam plants today, they are growing well, the heat does not seem to deter them in any way and I patiently await to see the final results. It is a beautiful plant.

I will update when I reap, lol.

Stay safe and be blessed!

Okra – originated in Ethiopia and scientifically known as Abelmoschus esculentus. From Ethiopia, okra had journeyed to North Africa, the Mediterranean, Arabia and India all by the 12th century.

A hardy plant, okra can be cultivated almost anywhere. This vegetable is known as gumbo in America, lady’s finger in England, guino-gombo in Spanish, guibeiro in Portuguese and bhindi in India, to name a few.

In its original home of Ethiopia it is also called Kenkase, Andeha, and Bamia.

According to MedicalNewsToday, one cup of okra weighing approximately 100 grams contains a whopping 20 vitamins and minerals. Sounds like a superfood to me. I have been eating this vegetable all my life. I did not always appreciate its gifts.

Now at this time in my life I truly appreciate its versatile culinary preparations, this was not always the case.

What I did not know back then was that okra was chock full of most of what our bodies requires in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting compounds.

We are all well aware that our bodies work at its optimum when we consume a diet rich in the recommended amounts of the various food groups.

Some of the benefits of okra:

Obesity
Diabetes by lowering blood sugar, it regulates the rate at which sugar is absorbed in the intestinal tract.
Reduces kidney damage.
Toxin removal – utilizing the mucilage found in okra
Cancer – contains a compound lectin that can kill cancer cells.
Cardiovascular – its high fiber content aids cholesterol expulsion from the body.
Osteoporosis – its vitamin K content helps keep bones healthy and strong.
Gastrointestinal – prevents constipation and more.
Seeds contain oil and proteins.

Be aware:

Kidney stones – okra is high in oxalates
Gastrointestinal upset – contains fructans a type of carbohydrate that can cause gas, bloating etc.
Joint pain – contains solanine a compound that may trigger joint pain.
Blood-thinning properties – due to the presence of vitamin K.

Okra seemingly has numerous health benefits. It is great for helping to keep your liver and kidneys healthy. It reduces oxidative stress, promotes healthy skin and blood and from personal is great for hair as well.

Check with your healthcare provider if you are taking blood thinners due to the presence of vitamin K a known blood thinner.

References:

Below are some pictures of okra in cultivation from my mother’s kitchen garden.

My mother is the primary gardener, these are the fruits of her hands.

The rest of us are “the helpers”. My mother is blessed to grow things, anything grows that she plants. She planted these okra from seeds and they have been doing what they do. For myself I derive so much pleasure from helping and just observing things growing under the heavens.

I talk to the plants and I am always the first one to see their fruits … a gift of mine my mother says, lol.

The babies are thriving and flourishing. It is a thing of beauty.

Growing and looking so nice and healthy.

Flower bud in progress above.

Same day these images taken from different angle (below).

The view from another angle. They are so healthy. I love it!

This morning this flower decided to open up to see the sun. The first fruits of the labor of love. My favorite time of the growing cycle. Soon we will be consuming these babies.

Dated 06/04/2020 – for some reason, I could not get this image any clearer, the day is over and the flower has done its work, by tomorrow it will wither and reveal the new okra.