We have a large compound in my hometown and we allocated part for growing different kinds of crops. This is our beautiful small farm built at the back of the house specially to grow fruits and vegetables and to chase away goats and dogs from destroying it.
It was built with a baboon tree and there is a space to go in and out whenever they need to water it. Plants and fruits need water to grow and be nourished and my Dad never fails to do that every morning. In this garden, there are vegetables, bitter leaves, okro, jute mallow (ewedu), coconut, and cashew. These are what we enjoy whenever we come home for holidays or festivals and we are always happy plucking those cashews and coconut to either eat with bread or cassava flakes for lunch.
Before Grandma died, she had always been eating vegetables from her farm which made her fresh all the time. I asked one day why she was always glowing and looking good, I was told Mama ate natural vegetables straight from her farm. It has always been a fun moment to eat coconut with my family while appreciating the idea of owning a farm in the compound because most of the things we eat are obtained from the farm without spending any money outside.
After her death and finally burying her last week Friday, I decided to go around the farm to check how it was. I had time yesterday evening to do that and I was surprised to see a lot of crops and fruits already growing and doing fine.
The coconuts here are still small and growing already. This wasn't planted the last time I came home and here it is now. I don't know why it is placed outside the farm but it is doing awesomely. There is another planted inside but hasn't been growing yet except one. Perhaps they just started growing it.
Can you see the little butterfly in the red circle? I was minding my business when it suddenly perched on the leaf. I saw how amazing it was on it and immediately took a snap of it before it flew away. I guess the butterfly came to say "Hi" and needed a shot which I did. It flew away as soon as I took a shot. I wanted to try the second time but was in a hurry for a meeting which is fine by me 😄
We have the jute mallow surrounding the farm too. Guess what? They plucked some and made a meal with it.
This is what I ate yesterday for lunch; Amala made with yam flour, jute mallow soup and cow's meat. This is my favourite solid meal I enjoy eating. I can't remember the last time I ate this and I am glad to come home to enjoy myself before travelling back.
We have a section for Okro, Vegetable leaf and Bitter leaf. The bitter leaf relieves stomach ache, helps to detoxify the body, enhances fertility, lowers high blood pressure, aids in weight loss etc. It's amazing how this leaf could cure different ailments and it is available on the farm instead of going to get drugs at any pharmacy. I am glad our farm is doing wonders and can be gotten whenever we need it. This is one reason I want a garden of my own where there are different plants and crops planted while I keep taking care of it. Another thing about owning a farm or garden is that it beautifies the environment just like ours.
I will be at home for a while and it's my responsibility to take care of it while watering it every time to keep it growing and glowing. I wish the coconut could grow quickly before I leave so I can pluck and eat. Though there are three big trees at the front of the house with ripe coconut, I still want one from this farm just to have a taste of it.
All images are originally taken by me with my Samsung Galaxy A14.