Vanilla Paradise Nevis is the only vanilla farm on the island of Nevis, and we are passionate about farming sustainably. We use an automated irrigation system that was designed and installed by Lorenzo Jeffers, a local entrepreneur from Farms Estate, Nevis. This system helps us conserve water and create optimal growing conditions for our vanilla plants.

A Mist Irrigation System: Precise and Timely Watering

Our farm has an overhead mist irrigation system in each shade house. The mist system gently delivers fine droplets of water to the plants, creating a fine mist that settles on the leaves and stems. This mimics natural rainfall and helps to maintain humidity levels, which are crucial for vanilla growth.

Measuring Humidity and Temperature: Creating the Ideal Climate for Vanilla

Humidity is vital for successful vanilla cultivation. Our mist irrigation system has sensors that measure the humidity level in the air. These sensors are connected to a controller that adjusts the misting frequency to keep the humidity level constant.

Moreover, in the summer heat, when temperatures can be over 40 degrees Celsius, or 105 degrees Fahrenheit, in the shade houses, the mist irrigation allows us to bring down the temperature by 5 degrees Celsius, which is really important for the delicate flowers and vanilla beans. This way, our plants get the ideal amount of moisture and keep cool enough to grow, no matter what the weather is like.

At Vanilla Paradise Nevis, we take water conservation very seriously. The Caribbean islands, including Nevis, are increasingly facing the challenges of climate change, with longer droughts and more severe storms. Vanilla thrives in shaded, humid environments, making water conservation even more critical.

Lorenzo’s Solution: A Smart Irrigation System that Adapts to the Weather

To address this challenge, Gina Empson, the founder of Vanilla Paradise Nevis, contacted Lorenzo Jeffers to design and install an irrigation system for our three shade houses which cover 16,000 sq. feet, or 1,486 sq. meters. Lorenzo came up with an innovative solution that included sensors to detect rainfall and a system to automatically turn on and off the watering, depending on the weather. This ensures that we use water efficiently and avoid overwatering or underwatering our plants. Lorenzo explains how the system works in our video below.

The Power of Partnership: Reducing Water Use and Growing Healthy Vanilla

Lorenzo was excited to be involved in this pioneering project, one of the largest he had undertaken and possibly the biggest shade house of this type on the island. He was also amazed to find out that vanilla grows in the wild, in the forests of Nevis.

Lorenzo is pleased with the performance of the irrigation system and is full of praise for Gina and her team for their collaboration and support.

Thanks to Lorenzo’s skill and creativity, we have been able to cut down our water usage while keeping our vanilla plants healthy and productive. His deep knowledge of the island’s climate and his inventive approach helped us create a system that meets our specific needs.

Sustainable farming isn't just a buzzword at Vanilla Paradise Nevis and our irrigation system is just one example of our dedication to environmental responsibility. We are grateful to Lorenzo for his invaluable contributions and look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.