Grow Box Gardening

  Purpose of This Document This document clarifies the use of the term “grow box” as it applies to Trinidad and Tobago, and particularly in the CVQ Level 1 Crop Production curriculum. It also compares regional terminology and curriculum packaging across the Caribbean. What Is a “Grow Box” in Trinidad and Tobago? If you’ve ever built a raised bed for vegetables, you might be surprised to learn that in  Trinidad and Tobago , it’s called a  grow box —especially in schools and vocational training programs. But is that just a local nickname? Not quite. In Trinidad and Tobago, a “grow box” refers to a fixed, framed, soil-filled structure used for vegetable production.  It is: Constructed from concrete blocks or wood Typically 30 ft × 5 ft × 8 in in size Filled with a pre-mixed soil blend Used in school gardens, backyard farming, and CVQ training This definition is formalized in the Ministry of Agriculture’s   Grow Box System for Vegetable Production   manual ...

  Purpose of this document is to clarify the use of the term “grow box” as it applies to Trinidad and Tobago, and particularly in the CVQ Level 1 Crop Production curriculum. It also compares regional terminology and curriculum packaging across the Caribbean. What Is a “Grow Box” in Trinidad and Tobago? If you’ve ever built a raised bed for vegetables, you might be surprised to learn that in Trinidad and Tobago , it’s called a  grow box —especially in schools and vocational training programs. But is that just a local nickname? Not quite. In Trinidad and Tobago, a “grow box” refers to a fixed, framed, soil-filled structure used for vegetable production.  It is: Constructed from concrete blocks or wood Typically 30 ft × 5 ft × 8 in in size Filled with a pre-mixed soil blend Used in school gardens, backyard farming, and CVQ training This definition is formalized in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Grow Box System for Vegetable Production manu...

Both grow boxes and raised beds provide effective solutions for a variety of plants that thrive in controlled environments. Choosing the right plants for your grow box or raised bed depends on several important factors:   Height of Your Raised Bed   Shallow-rooted crops are best suited for a  raised bed  about 8 inches (20 cm) in height, equivalent to the height of one concrete block. If you plan to grow deep-rooted crops, you can construct a deeper box by stacking concrete blocks on top of each other.  This guideline applies regardless of the materials used to build your grow box or raised bed. Best plants for raised bed that is shallow (8-11 inches deep) Leafy greens: lettuce, pak choi, kale, cabbage, spinach, mustard greens Cruciferous vegetables: b roccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts Herbs: b asil, parsley, cilantro, mint, rosemary, chives and thyme. Root vegetables:  beets, radishes, green onions, baby carrots. Ornamental plants:  marigolds,...

Although the terms "Grow Boxes" and "Raised Beds" are often used interchangeably and do share some similarities, they are not the same. Each option has unique advantages and can be chosen based on your specific gardening needs and preferences. Let’s look at a comparison to highlight their differences. ** Key Distinctions ** 1. Description  A grow box is designed for a controlled environment. It is typically constructed to be enclosed, without direct contact with soil. Instead, a special soil-less growing medium is used to fill the boxes. Grow boxes can be utilized in small spaces, for indoor gardening, or in areas where the soil is poor. A raised bed, on the other hand, is an elevated garden bed that sits above ground level. Unlike a grow box, a raised bed is usually open at the bottom and is in direct contact with the soil beneath. It is typically filled with soil mixes to improve the quality of poor ground soil. 2. Material Although grow boxes and raised beds are...

If you are thinking about building a raised bed , one important consideration is the type of material to use. It's ideal to choose a cost-effective material.  While various materials can be utilized for constructing a raised bed , c oncrete blocks are a particularly economical option for several reasons. Alternative cost-effective materials to concrete blocks. You can create a cost-effective raised bed using a variety of materials that are budget-friendly yet functional. Some suitable options include  wood, PVC, metal, plastic, clay blocks, and even recycled materials. However, there are several reasons to consider using concrete blocks, especially those of a specific size. **Advantages of using concrete blocks for your raised bed** 1. Concrete blocks are sturdy and durable, allowing them to last for a very long time. In contrast, materials like wood can rot over time, and metal tends to rust.    2. Concrete blocks are generally cheaper than wood and may also be less...

  Ladybird Beetles There are thousands of species of ladybird beetles around the world. These insects are commonly known as ladybugs or lady beetles. They are not only colorful, but they are also beneficial and can be found in various habitats, ranging from forests to home gardens. Ladybirds are well-known for their role as natural predators and pest controllers in agriculture crops and gardens. They are very effective in controlling the mealybug.  Mealybugs Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cotton-like material. This white coating helps protect them from moisture loss and heat, as well as repels water, preventing them from becoming soaked during rainy weather. Mealybugs have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they use to pierce plant tissues and extract sap. By sucking the sap from the plant, they deprive it of essential nutrients needed for growth.  Additionally, mealybugs secrete excess sugars in the form of honeydew, which is sweet and...

  What are Chives Chives belong to the Allium family and are a type of herb. They are primarily used to enhance the flavour of foods, as their leaves  have a mild onion flavour,  making them a seasoning herb. Chives are often grouped with other herbs such as celery, thyme, parsley, shadow beni, basil, mint, and lemongrass. Chives have long, soft hollow green leaves and white stems which are all edible.  Varieties The most popular varieties of chives are: 1. Common Chive (Allium schoenoprasum) The common chive grows in clumps and has thin, tubular green leaves. They are relatively hardy and can thrive in a variety of conditions. They grow in various soil types, but they prefer fertile, well-drained soil. 2. Garlic Chive (Allium tuberosum) The garlic chive has flat leaves. They grow in clumps and have small white or off-white bulbs. They are hardy and can thrive in a variety of conditions and climates. They do best in fertile well-drained soils. Siberian Chiv...