When it is raining on and off I usually will just hang out on my balcony. What I sometimes do is sow seeds to grow more starts for transplanting in the garden. Chili’s, squashes, and bitter gourd seem to do pretty well here. I am having no luck with Tomatoes. The plants start and die soon after transplanting. People here say it is the climate.
It can be boring to live in the province of the Philippines like I do. I try to find activities to take some time with and gardening is one of them. It can be relaxing and frustrating at times. It is always rewarding and a money saver in the end. I also try to recycled some plastics for repeat use as you see in the pictures.
I am growing everything I can organically. No chemical pesticides and fertilizers. I did have an entire row of squash decimated by small beetles. Now that the season has changed I will try them again and if the beetles return I will try organic pesticides that people been telling me about. Just have to find it.
We are also growing local varieties as well. A small chili called Siling Labuyo, which means wild chili. It’s smaller and hotter than a Thai Hot chili. Also we have another pepper called Siling Mahaba which is similar to the Joe E. Parker pepper. It’s not as hot as a jalapeño and it’s great for cooking with.
I also have a couple of Habanero and California Wonder bell pepper plants growing in the garden . This is just part of my time spent in the Philippines. Hopefully I can get a crop big enough to make profitable. If not, no big deal. I will just jar it as Hot salsa.
The Carabao is a water buffalo used here in the Philippines for plowing the fields. I noticed that where they leave their droppings the plants in the rice pads grow much quicker and healthier. For my next batch of plants I will mix the dung in the soil and see how it goes.
If you like to know more or have an idea for a topic then hit me up.
David Lee Martin
US Army Functional Veteran
Big Dave's Place 
The siling labuyo blends well in a vinegar with garlic, onions, and pepper. It’s a tasty dip for fried dishes especially fish.
That’s right! The carabao dung is a good fertilizer. In grade school we were usually asked to bring these in sacks to fertilize our gardens. Dry them up and powder them, and mix with soil.
I’d love for you to cook recipes out of these vegetable. Have you eaten “pinakbet”?
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What is pinakbet in English. I may have. All I eat here is filipino food.
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I don’t know how you call it in English, but it is an assortment of different local vegetables simmered in anchovy sauce. I have a post about it here: https://jaysonsantos.com/2015/01/22/why-pinakbet/
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I think i will pass… Not that it wouldn’t be good, but the last time I had anchovies I spent 2 days sick as a dog. There are a few foods I don’t give second chances to. Calamari being another one.
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Nice photo’s and nice to meet you. Living organically is harder in USA IL….for sure…where you are at it seems a better soil and environment. Bless you for sharing….Jackie
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Use your back yard or balcony.
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Use your back yard, patio, or balcony if available.
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