Grannie’s Caribbean Garden Story

Gardening and the expression of cultural heritage and the use of life stories to connect with others on a global scale was really emphasised because of the onset of Covid 19.

As a first generation child to a mother of West Indian origin I was used to travelling across the atlantic to Barbados and using gardening to connect with family. But 2020 was different as Covid 19 hit the Caribbean by storm.

Lockdowns, curfews, travel bans, self isolation, social distancing and the wearing of masks all became a new reality. For first generation families like mine, where regular transatlantic journeys were the norm, things suddenly changed.

Food security, access and consumption became the cornerstone of new anxiety across the world. At the same time seniors were only seen as vulnerable, weak and suseptible to this deadly virus.

But I had learnt from my mum that she and other seniors held valuable knowledge about food production and the relationship we had to food and what we ate. Packaged and processed food had to give way and in its place was a new mantra ‘plant, grow, eat.’

Although younger generations across the world have started to get their hands dirty by gardening the older generations have always known the importance of planting for health, strength and wellbeing. In cooler climates they’d use allotments to plant potatoes, leeks or tomatoes with old sheds providing quiet havens. In tropical climates, backyard gardens would see cassava, sweet potato, okra, and herbs growing, whilst a porch or the leaves of a tree provided shade.

Our project works with seniors and carers and provides services, resources and products that highlight the importance of green care and heritage.