Hello from Escazu, Costa Rica

TropicalFarmer

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Hello to all,
I'm now actively converting my 1.2 acre plot of land from a decorative lawn into a small organic garden that will provide healthy natural food and medicine to my family.
I did read the Permaculture books by Bill Mollison many years ago and always wanted to farm my plot.
I'm retired and ready to start my dream, especially nowadays that the world is experiencing food shortages, IMO crops and seeds, pesticides, etc. that have undermine our health and the Earth's.
Looking forward to meet you all and exchange tips and ideas.
Regards,
 

Meadowlark

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Welcome and I'm interested in what you grow in the Escazu area.
 

TropicalFarmer

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I planting many different plants and trees for food and medicine.
For starts, here's a picture of my "Milpa" which is a pre-Columbian way to combine Corn, Beans, and Pumpkins.
You plant the corn first at the beginning of the rainy season, then you add the pumpkins, and finally the beans.
In the picture you can see de corn and a pumpkin plant starting to grow.
Beans are planted once the corn stalks are dry so they can use the stalks to climb, and fix the Nitrogen back to the soil.
I have some banana plants in the background.
Regards,

Rodrigo
 

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Meadowlark

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Very nice. I do the same thing here in East Teas with corn and beans. Curious what kind of pumpkin do you grow? I usually start mine in late summer because of the heat and try to beat the frosts which come here in Nov.
 

TropicalFarmer

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Hello Medowlark,

We start planting when the first rains start coming down. Usually April-May.
But can plant year round with irrigation, since we have a river going by.
We only have two strong seasons; Rain and dry. About 6 months each.
Regards,
 

TropicalFarmer

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I decided just to grow local heirloom varieties.
I've tested other seeds in the past imported from other world suppliers, and they do not take as good as the local varieties.
The type of pumpkin I planted is called "Ayote Sapo" (Toad Pumpkin)
1652051879157.png

As you can see in the photo (not mine), it looks like the skin of a toad :)
Regards,

Rodrigo
 

Meadowlark

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Interesting plant. I found some seed on Amazon and going to try a few just for fun! That one pictured appears to be larger than most.
 
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Beans are planted once the corn stalks are dry so they can use the stalks to climb, and fix the Nitrogen back to the soil.
Hi, welcome to the forum.
Beans do fix nitrogen, but they do it for their own use. It will end up in the soil if you leave the roots in the soil and compost the top part, but not otherwise.

Your comment about 'Local seeds' reminded me of a study someone did of people growing exotic vegetables in England. People who had brought them with them to this country and then saved seed for ten years or more had cultivars better adapted to this climate than seed specially produced by seed companies. There is nothing like putting a local human into the selection process. :)
 

Meadowlark

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The type of pumpkin I planted is called "Ayote Sapo" (Toad Pumpkin)

Rodrigo


Rodrigo, I want to thank you for your information on the Toad Pumpkin. You inspired me to try them, and I was very pleased with the results. I grew some in Hügelkultur containers and some in the ground. They actually performed better in the HK containers.

They were somewhat smaller than those you pictured but perhaps that is due somewhat to the late start I got on them. Next year, I'll start them earlier, grow them longer, and hopefully will get some of the color you showed.

Thanks again and I hope you receive my thanks.

toad pumps.JPG


tod pump hk.JPG
 
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Hello to all,
I'm now actively converting my 1.2 acre plot of land from a decorative lawn into a small organic garden that will provide healthy natural food and medicine to my family.
I did read the Permaculture books by Bill Mollison many years ago and always wanted to farm my plot.
I'm retired and ready to start my dream, especially nowadays that the world is experiencing food shortages, IMO crops and seeds, pesticides, etc. that have undermine our health and the Earth's.
Looking forward to meet you all and exchange tips and ideas.
Regards,
You have the volcanic soil?
 

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