The sun blazed over the Aruban farm as we planned our next planting season. That year, we were determined to grow more bonchi largo-the long, tender green beans beloved in local kitchens. Our usual heirloom variety thrived under the harsh Caribbean sun, producing flavorful pods that were perfect for side dishes.
But there was one problem: we didn’t have enough seeds.
I turned to fellow cunukeros—local farmers hoping they had extra seeds. Most shook their heads. The seeds they had were either too old or refused to sprout. Finally, one farmer handed me an unmarked packet.
The seeds looked right, so we planted them. But when harvest time came, I walked through the rows of plants, inspecting the pods. Something was off. The beans were shorter. Not our cherished heirloom variety.
The entire season’s crop was wrong. Instead of our signature long beans, we had to pivot, selling them as edamame instead. It was a hard lesson.
From that moment on, I decided we would never be short on seeds again. We saved our own heirloom seeds, selected from the best plants. That experience taught me how crucial it is to have good, organic, and well-sourced seeds—which is exactly why I now offer them in my webshop.
Organic Lemon Basil
One of my favorites? Lemon basil. It reminds me of yerba di hole, the local basil from the ABC islands, adding a fresh citrus note to any dish. I even use it to make pesto, it’s that good.
I’m also excited about growing Carolina Reaper, one of the spiciest peppers in the world, perfect for those who love heat in their dishes. And then there is kousenband, a staple in Caribbean and Surinamese cuisine. Click the button below to shop for seeds.
🌵 Growing tip: Always save seeds from the strongest plants. They’ll reward you with the best harvest next season.
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