AGROGRACE has moved to develop the emerging home gardening trend in Jamaica with a weekly live broadcast on CVM TV’s morning magazine programme called Grow It Yourself with AgroGrace, which airs Friday at 7:10 am.

A news release the farm and garden retailer said, internationally, the rising cost of food and a greater awareness of the benefits of eating organics are the key factors driving the growing home gardening trend.

“In Jamaica, the trend gets a further boost from our natural belief in ‘well fruited’ properties and beautiful landscapes that have the added benefit of maintaining property values,” the release said.

The show is “guided by a belief in the financial, environmental as well as the health and wellness benefits to be derived from ‘growing it yourself'”. There will also be a series of in-store Grow It Yourself workshops set to launch on Saturday June 7, at the Kingston store on Spanish Town Road.

“We have definitely noted an increase in the number of consumers coming in to our stores seeking specific guidance on how to establish their own gardens, whether for food or ornamental purposes,” General Manager Olive Downer-Walsh noted. “Grow It Yourself with AgroGrace represents our effort to reach a wider audience in Jamaica, as our demonstrations and workshops have up to now primarily benefitted our core target audience of farmers and public health interest groups.”

The 10-minute segment is led by a technical representative of AgroGrace, who provides tips and demonstrations related primarily to successfully growing your own food and flora, the release read.

“The focus is on achieving best results whether by way of backyard or container gardening, thus serving both the individual whose home has available land space as well as the apartment dweller,” it continued.

Demonstrations and discussions cover topics such as selecting seeds, plant care and maintenance, landscaping layout tips, appropriate use of fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs, as well as plant and product previews, reviews and trends.