Growing in Faith: My Love for Planting Organic Food

In this post, I’m going to talk about the chillies and tomatoes I’ve grown. Planting brings me great pleasure, and the best part? It can be done even in small spaces—in the past, I’ve successfully grown plants on a balcony.

One of the things I love about gardening as self-care is that it teaches me to care for something outside of myself. Watching the results of my efforts come to life gives me immense joy, especially when it’s something I can eat—something that keeps me healthy and supports my well-being.

I’m not going to lie—I’m a spicy girl. 🌶️ I love all things spicy, which is exactly why I chose to grow chillies. There’s something satisfying about cutting them up and adding a little zing to my food.

Tomatoes are another favorite of mine and probably my top pick to grow. When we talk about abundance, this is the one! Once they get going, they produce so much that I’ve had to start giving them away.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Jaed

There’s something deeply fulfilling about nurturing what you’ve planted and watching it grow. Some days, the progress is visible—new leaves, tiny buds, the first sign of fruit. Other days, it feels like nothing is happening at all. But beneath the soil, roots are strengthening, stretching deeper, preparing for what’s to come. The same is true for our faith, our well-being, and the goals we set for ourselves—growth isn’t always immediate, but with time and care, it will come.

Just as we tend to our plants, watering and feeding them so they can thrive, we must also tend to our faith, our well-being, and our relationship with God.

When we stay faithful and keep going, we will see the fruits of our labor—both in the garden and in life.

So whether it’s chillies, tomatoes, or even just the seeds of a new habit, goal, or faith practice, remember: growth takes time, but the harvest is always worth it.

🌶️ How to Grow Chillies

1. Choose Your Variety – Mild to extra hot, pick your spice level!

2. Planting – Use a pot or garden bed with full sunlight exposure.

3. Watering – Water regularly, but let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.

4. Feeding – Use a potassium-rich fertilizer to promote strong growth.

5. Support – Some taller varieties may need small stakes to keep them upright.

6. Harvesting – Pick when the chillies turn red, yellow, or the desired color.

🍅 How to Grow Tomatoes

Boy oh boy, do tomatoes grow once they get going! At one point, I had so many that I had to start giving them away.

🌱 Planting: Choose a sunny spot (at least 6-8 hours of sunlight). Bury two-thirds of the stem in nutrient-rich soil for strong roots.

💧 Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water deeply 2-3 times per week.

🌿 Support & Pruning: Use stakes or cages for support. Trim small suckers to focus energy on fruit growth.

🍅 Harvesting: Pick when tomatoes are fully colored and slightly soft. If you have too many, trust me—you’ll be sharing them in no time!