I spent an interesting afternoon in a cultivated corner of nature where Jean-Michel Vial told me all about his fascinating enterprise that conscientiously strives to reap the benefits of St Barts’ soil, both responsibly and sustainably.
What is La Main Verte?
La Main Verte began as an ambitious dream to establish an enterprise that would endeavour to exclusively grow and sell plants that are endemic to St Barts. La Main Verte literally means ‘green hand’, which correctly translates as ‘green fingers’ in British English or ‘green thumb’ for Americans, and refers to someone who has a natural ability to grow plants.
What was the inspiration behind La Main Verte?
La Main Verte was founded in 2017, prompted by the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. I wanted to help people restore their gardens, which had been destroyed by the ravages of the hurricane. I believed it was better to use what we have here on St Barts rather than relying on imports from the USA.
Can you briefly tell me your journey to establishing La Main Verte?
My keen interest in gardening began in my early childhood in France. This led me to horticultural college where I studied a broad range of subjects related to trees, plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. During my apprenticeship as a gardener, I was fortunate to work alongside a mentor whose knowledge of traditional methods had been inherited from his ancestors. On graduating, I proceeded to work as a landscaper, applying these traditional practices while continuing to develop my skills.
It was then during a vacation on St Barts in 1992 that I fell in love with the island. I subsequently moved here in 1995, just after Hurricane Luis. Using my experience, I helped others by restoring, creating and maintaining their gardens. At that time, there were less gardeners on the island, yet we did our best working with machinery and facilities that were limited and rudimentary.
It was on realising the cost of imported plants that I decided to try to grow indigenous species. I don’t seek to directly compete with plants imported to St Barts, but I believe in the value of being sustainably self-sufficient. When I first opened La Main Verte, I didn’t have any electricity or a water source; I used solar panels and collected water in large containers. I seek to recycle materials as far as possible: my planters are made of reclaimed wood, polystyrene boxes and even tyres.
Can you describe an average day at La Main Verte?
La Main Verte is open from 8am until 5.30pm, but I work much longer hours from 6.30am to nightfall. The very first thing I do is to prepare the salad for the hotels and restaurants, and any other clients who come seeking our special greens. We carefully cut each leaf one by one to ensure 100% quality; and we even let clients select their own salad if they so wish. The next task is to sow seeds to ensure a regular supply of new salad. From then on, I do my rounds of the nursery. Similar to a doctor in a hospital, I treat each plant according to its needs, be it changing the soil, feeding it, trimming branches, removing any dead flowers and leaves, or helping it fend off any pests or disease. Watering the whole nursery takes up a lot of our time, 3 hours in total; we are thus always grateful for rainfall.
Can you tell Coccoloba about the work you do you with the island schools?
I came to a point in my career where I wanted to share my experience with others, notably children whom I believe are the future of the planet. Six years ago, I approached the schools to invite groups of children to La Main Verte, giving them the opportunity to learn about seeds, plants, recycling and how to respect the natural environment. Starting this year, this programme also takes place within the schools themselves. The children always show great interest and enthusiasm for learning – they are like absorbent sponges.
What plants do you sell?
La Main Verte sells indigenous plant species including fruit trees, palms, cactus, decorative and medicinal plants. The aforementioned salad greens that we grow have become very popular. Each box provides an orchestra of flavours exuding from the mustard leaves, basil, coriander, spinach, rocket, wasabi, garlic … We have also started to produce our own honey, principally from gaïac flowers that offer a unique flavour.
Who are your clients?
Our client base is made up of restaurants, hotels, private chefs, local residents and tourists. Visitors to St Barts are surprised by what can be grown here on the island. La Main Verte gives them a different perspective of St Barts.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to the readers of Coccoloba?
For the past 6 years I have been growing plants from my own seeds and cuttings, supplementing those I have had to purchase. My ultimate goal is to be 100% self-sufficient.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to the readers of Coccoloba?
Many people will know that I have faced several challenges over the past few years. Nevertheless, with the kindness and heartfelt support of others, I have found the strength and courage to keep going, to realise that everything is not lost, and to have hope for the future.
