December 2023 - 14

GROWER PROFILE
CJ's Produce grows a variety of leafy greens and other vegetables, including broccoli, tomatoes and peppers,
which help feed an impoverished Savannah, Georgia, neighborhood.
volume. Winter temperatures are
a mild 70 degrees. Savannah's
soil and environment are much
different from the family's central
Georgia homestead, two hours west
of Savannah.
Thomas' George Washington Carver
Community Garden implements the
agriculture innovator's crop rotation
methods. In general black history,
Thomas said he always heard about
crop rotation. His grandfather told
the family about planting certain
crops in particular areas of the
fields during specific times and not
planting one crop on top of another.
What one crop removed, such as
nitrogen, the other crop would
return to the soil.
" I am using crop rotation because
it works better for me, " Thomas
said. " Everyone may not do crop
rotation, as it depends on the soil.
Soil health is the most important
thing. If you don't have good soil,
or if you're not adding the right
nutrients to the soil, you're not
going to get anything, or the things
you do get may not taste good and
may not produce as much or as big. "
Banana water adds potassium
and nitrogen to the plants. Thomas
discovered that soaking three banana
peels in water for two days, and
adding that water to the soil, reverses
nutrient deficiencies and relieves
plant sluggishness and yellowing.
14 | DECEMBER 2023
Recalling how his grandfather
used flowers to attract pollinators,
Thomas recently began planting
flowers and cover crops. Sunflowers
attract pollinators, including
honeybees and hummingbirds.
THEY'RE NOT
MAKING ANY MORE
SOIL. THE MORE YOU
HAVE, THE BETTER OFF
YOU CAN BE.
- Craig Thomas, CJ's Produce
Surprisingly, pests aren't a big
obstacle. In the region, whiteflies
visit plants, but infestation hasn't
been severe. Marigolds and herbs
including dill, spearmint and sage
help repel insects. Marigolds work
well with tomatoes and peppers.
Weeds aren't a major problem,
either. Though Thomas deployed
a netted black weed blocker, rains
helped weeds grow through the
fabric. Three hours of hand weeding
can keep weeds in check.
After a recent disappointing season,
Thomas noticed more bee, wasp and
hummingbird activity, which helped
produce a large cucumber harvest.
Root rot, however, has been a big
problem during the last three years.
Though every season is different,
Thomas usually begins harvesting
in April after the last cold snap, but
this year favorable weather allowed
an early March start.
In 2017, Thomas first planted leafy
greens, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Word soon spread and neighborhood
residents requested he deliver
produce to them, with some picking
their own.
Thomas also grows broccoli,
cauliflower, bell peppers, banana
peppers, sweet corn, collard greens,
cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes and
blueberries. Trying new vegetables
interests Thomas. Last year, rutabaga
grew well and saw high demand
in the nonprofit Forsyth Farmers
Market in historic Forsyth Park,
where he sells some of his produce.
Thomas entered urban farming
as a lesson from his father, Edwin
Thomas Sr., after CJ was born.
Edwin wanted to show his son how
gardening and farming are like
marriages: one must " weed " out the
problems and give fertilizer (love)
for the plants to grow.
Telling his son he had to garden
and better like it, Edwin made sure
Craig picked every weed and bug
out of his first plot in temperatures
above 100° F and lectured him daily.
On weekends, the younger Thomas

December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2023