This morning, I made my way to the garden space where I have my little experiment going on-planting yam in old rice bags. It might sound funny at first, because most people are used to seeing yam planted directly in the soil on a wide piece of land, but for me, this method works well. I don’t have a large farm, so I have to make use of what is available. Instead of throwing away the empty rice bags that pile up in the corner, I decided to put them to good use by filling them with soil and planting yam inside. It’s a practical idea, and I’m always excited to see how it’s coming along.
When I got to the spot today, the first thing that caught my eye was the yam vine, already climbing and stretching out as if it was looking for more space to spread. The leaves looked healthy and green, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Planting in rice bags is not always easy—you have to make sure the soil is rich enough and that the bag has small holes at the bottom for drainage so water doesn’t sit and cause rot. But seeing the yam growing strong reminded me that the effort is paying off.
I bent down to feel the soil inside the bag, just to check if it was still moist. Thankfully, it was. That was a relief because yam, like most crops, needs the right balance of water. Too dry and it will struggle, too wet and it can get spoiled. I decided to sprinkle just a little more water today, carefully pouring it near the base of the vine. One thing I’ve learned about gardening in rice bags is that the soil can dry out faster than the ground, especially under the hot sun. That means I have to keep an eye on it almost every day.
While I was there, I also took some time to remove the small weeds that had started growing around the bag. Even though it’s less weedy than planting directly on the ground, some weeds still find their way in. I didn’t mind though; it felt good to be hands-on with the process. As I worked, I imagined the yam tuber growing slowly underground inside the bag. That thought alone gave me so much joy.
Standing there, I realized how much I’ve come to appreciate this small garden of mine. It may not look like much to someone else—just a few rice bags with soil and yam vines—but to me, it represents growth, patience, and creativity. Using rice bags has also taught me that you don’t always need a large farm to start. With little space and simple resources, you can still grow your own food.
Checking my yam today reminded me of the simple joys of homesteading. There is something deeply satisfying about seeing life sprout from something you planted yourself. I know that with consistency, patience, and care, I will eventually harvest yam from these bags. And when that day comes, I’ll proudly say that it all started with a recycled rice bag, a little soil, and the willingness to try. Until then, I’ll keep checking, watering, and caring for it, because every day brings me closer to that harvest.
