For the Garden

PLANTING SEEDS

For the HortiCulture founder offers mentoring, support and inspiration to first-time gardeners

KRYSTLE SIMS-CAMERON’S FIRST EXPERIENCE GROWING FOOD

was a plum tree. At age 6, she planted a plum pit in the corner of her yard.

“My mom told me that it was pointless to plant it,” she says. “Years later, on a nostalgic whim, I drove past my childhood home. In the same corner that I planted the seed, I could see a plum tree growing in my old backyard. It made me smile.”

Gardening continues to make Sims-Cameron smile. She takes pride in growing nutritious food for her family. It is one of the many reasons she was inspired to help others cultivate their first gardens.

“I wanted my community to feel the same autonomy that I have, knowing that they have some of their basic needs covered through their gardens,” she says.

In July 2020, Sims-Cameron founded “For the HortiCulture,” a fiscally-sponsored project restoring the culture of backyard growing for Black families in New Orleans. Its goal is to cultivate resilience in the communities most impacted by food insecurity and food-related health disparities.

Sims-Cameron began the effort with a small crowdfunding campaign, hoping to raise money for building materials for 25 small, recycled pallet gardens. She asked for $2,500 and ended up raising more than $20,000.

This community support gave Sims-Cameron the opportunity to expand her vision. She now builds different garden types for families based on space, time and financial resources.

Considered a national expert, Sims-Cameron recently made an appearance on the Martha Stewart’s new show, “Martha Knows Best,” to discuss her organization and offer gardening tips.

“For the HortiCulture” also provides the community educational and mentoring support to ensure that each gardener reaches their full potential.

“Gardens should not be bound by privilege,” she says. “It is time we reclaimed that part of our culture. We need to show our elders that working the soil can be better and brighter.”

Sims-Cameron tip: “Container gardens can be a viable option for small spaces. It allows most anyone to garden and grow food for their families. I’ve started vegetables in buckets and pots and baskets so that I can show my community that the only limit to growing their own food is their imagination. Recycling plays a big role in my garden. Milk jugs can be mini-greenhouses. I use plastic soda bottles for drip irrigation and I repurposed storage tubs to become self-watering containers for herbs and tomatoes.”

– BY PAMELA MARQUIS

Paradise Found Vibrant bird of paradise is a New Orleans staple

BY PAMELA MARQUIS

WHAT?

Known for its stunning tropical flowers, the bird of paradise is a staple in many New Orleans courtyards, backyards and patios. The vibrant flowers nestle among thick green leaves and look as if cranes are delicately perched in the foliage.

HOW?

The plant grows slowly in clumps as its underground stem divides. The flowers are produced in groups of one to three on long stalks and mature plants can produce up to 36 flower spikes a year.

WHEN?

When transplanting, dig a hole that is three times the diameter of the root ball taking care not to disturb the roots. They prefer rich, well-draining soil. If the bird of paradise is planted too deeply, this may delay flowering. Water regularly during the first six months.

WHY?

The bird of paradise represents faithfulness, love and thoughtfulness — making it the perfect romantic gift. Fun fact: The bird of paradise is the official flower for a ninth wedding anniversary.

LAGNIAPPE

Birds of paradise are best known for bright orange and blue colors, but flowers can also be white and blue and completely white.

BOHEMIAN DREAMS

Liz Kamarul’s work spans the realms of styling, design and art, as well as walls, floors and ceilings

LIZ KAMARUL IS A PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGER, INTERIOR

designer and artist. She’s also a blogger with a healthy Instagram following of 126,000 followers. Kamarul gets a lot of inspiration from fellow Instagrammers and describes her style as Bohemian. She says, “I’m a follow-no-rules, go-with-your-gut, designer and stylist.”

She’s also a thrift shopper and is always looking for a bargain or that one-of-kind-thrift store find that can instantly turn a room around.

“I recently bought an old heavy mirror off of Craigslist for $10 and a pink coffee table from Pelican Furniture and Thrift,” she says. “I also like to get sample pots of house paints for $4. It’s a great way to explore color options.”

Her playful personality is reflected in all of her work. Recently, Kamarul’s inspiration has come from design books from the ‘60s and ‘70s.

“Then I spin them in a new modern way,” she says.

Originally from Idaho, Kamarul attended the University of Idaho graduating with a major in clothing design and a minor in interior design. She spent the years after college traveling to different parts of the world which is how she met her Australia-born husband Tim.

Kamarul then spent three years in Portland, Oregon where she developed her love for design as a home stager with OnStage, a Pacific Northwest home staging company.

Next, she and her husband took on an exciting project and an engaging adventure.

“In 2017 Tim and I, with our two dogs Cudi and Bo, spent five months traveling across the USA in our renovated 1982 Winnebago,” she says on her website. “We renovated the RV to create unique home-on-wheels.”

Though the renovation took longer than Kamarul thought it would, she thinks the many months of work paid off.

“We did all the work ourselves and YouTube videos were very helpful,” she says.

You can read more about the RV at Dwell, see a home tour of the RV at Apartment Therapy and listen to a podcast interview for Flea Style where she talks more about the adventure.

Kamarul also paints murals. Last year she painted a commission at Le Voyage, a retail business that curates handmade artisanal goods, which recently went online only. She recently did a residential project for Nomita Joshi-Gupta, architect, interior designer and owner of Spruce wallpaper and fabric. Kamarul murals have enhanced the walls and doors of offices and homes and range from vivid abstracts to scenes filled with green luscious plants. She recently posted a video/tutorial sponsored by Crate & Barrel on how to paint an arch above a door.

“I always start my murals with a basic plan on my iPad so I know the direction I want to go,” she says. “But when I look around and I am in the space that plan always evolves.”

She takes pride in her design skills and creativity, but just recently began calling herself an artist.

“I’ve finally allowing myself to call myself an artist as I am actually getting paid for my artwork.” – BY PAMELA MARQUIS