Who is Mrs. Juanita?
Mrs. Juanita is a beautiful human who was born and raised on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. For the past 86 years, she has become familiar with the liveliness and magic formed on such a secluded little island. Our GC group first learned about Mrs. Juanita when we stopped at the corner store for the first time, and we were able to take a small sneak peek at her garden, which is flourishing with tomatoes, mint, dill, papaya, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, bananas, and purple heart. Returning to her beautiful, electric blue home made me feel so grateful and alive. Hearing from her in person was a real treat; I am thankful and blessed to be able to hear stories from such a wise human who has lived her life with genuine intention.
Just in case you don’t know what a tomato is ….:
Tomato plants are vines, usually growing higher than 6ft. Most tomato plants can grow year-round and can live up to three years. In cooler climates, tomato plants are often grown in greenhouses. Additionally, a hydroponic technique is often used when the growing environment is too hostile. Although tomatoes are berries, the fruit is widely enjoyed as a vegetable because of its savory flavor. A ripe tomato has an umami flavor, sweet, sour, salty and bitter.
How do tomatoes grow on San Salvador Island?
According to Mrs. Juanita, one of the biggest exports in the Bahamas is the tomato. The soil and warm climate provide perfect growing conditions for tomatoes, and you will find them nearly all year round. When growing tomatoes in the Bahamas, it is important to leave room for growth. Planting vines near the edge is necessary so that they can run alongside the vegetable bed. With tomatoes being a larger type of plant, they should be grown near the rear of your garden.
My Personal Experience:
I automatically felt drawn to Mrs. Juanita’s energy, and it is really powerful and humbling to listen to someone speak so highly of their faith within themselves, their family, San Salvador Island, and even our little Georgia College family. I walked away from this experience with a new attitude towards how I was to be present within myself and the others around me. Every day is a true blessing, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Juanita during our stay<3.
Photos of Mrs. Juanita's Garden:
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