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On Sailboat Gardening Everyone has dreams. We've been lucky enough to see one of ours come true.
Where? Gardening on a sailboat is a lot less strange than it sounds. Groups of containers are fitted into suitable areas on deck. Space is tight on all sailboats and so a certain amount of ingenuity must be used when fitting plants into the tight quarters. Frequently, plants are kept in the cockpit area where secured fixtures are tailored to hold containers so that the motion of the boat does not send the plants flying. If the sailboat has a pilothouse - which forms a natural greenhouse and keeps plants out of the salty wind - all the better. Our plants are contained in a window box attached to the stern rail. Wherever plants are placed, they must be out of the way to accommodate the safe operation of the boat. Obstacles Many of the obstacles we faced in gardening
on board, are the same as those faced by people who garden in containers
along the coastline. Only the most salt tolerant, wilt resistant herbs
survived. Rosemary, chives and thyme did well. Parsley and basil lasted as
long as we could keep up with the
Tending to a sailboat is very much like
tending to a garden. When you follow the simple rules, you realize rewards
- tenfold. Planning and forethought pays off. We had lovely plants, which
saved us money, provided us with food as well as a good deal of comfort. [back to Articles / Article Archives]
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In
1999 we abandoned our deeply embedded roots and moved aboard our 36
ft.ketch - s.v. "Roux". Her name, "Roux" comes from
our fondness for Cajun food. In Cajun cooking, a roux is a base for many
good things, so it is with s.v. "Roux". We are not professionals
in the culinary field, but we know what we like. There are many possible
reasons to keep plants on a boat, but ours were very practical: we kept a
supply of fresh herbs close at hand. As somewhat novice sailors, the plan
that we loosely devised was to travel to the Bahamas and then beyond, if
favorable conditions would prevail. Not knowing what would be available in
the countries that we hoped to visit, not to mention cost, we brought a
taste of home along with us in our little garden.
In
addition to drought resistance and salt tolerance, we selected varieties
that had a high yield for the limited space. Of course, the type of
cruising that one intends to do is also a consideration. We met a retired
couple in Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas, who sail down every year from
Philadelphia and stay in one spot for 4 or 5 months. They were able to
grow peppers and tomatoes on deck. When they were ready to leave, they
simply gave their plants away.