Colin Butler

Colin Butler is bringing Summer thyme to St. Thomas in November... and Orange Thyme, Lime Basil, Asian Greens and upside down tomatoes too.

This local fisherman took a course at the University of the Virgin Islands and got the growing bug, started browsing seed catalogs and before he knew it, his carefully grown produce from an Upper Dorothea hilltop was being sought by islanders and restaurants craving some fresh and exotic tastes.

The island-suitable techniques he learned about and uses are: aquaponics for his aerated tilapia and irrigation pond (which he navigates on a paddleboard), composting-making with coal, ash and wood chips (procured from tree-chipping road crews ) to compensate for the very acid local soil. tire-planting which saves water and is good for rocky, terraced land.

Soon to come: watermelons, cucumbers and snap beans.