A variety of vegetables and fruits grow in abundance in the organic garden at the Koh Mak Resort. It boasts a green house to protect some plants from insects while
others are perfectly fine being outdoors. This garden shows the commitment the locals have to protect the environment.
The Koh Mak Resort began its organic garden to help supply the island with organic, chemical-free produce. They strictly avoid chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The project is overseen by Mr. Phadungsak Samanmueang,or Khru O for short. He started by clearing the space and developing the soil using natural fertiliser from chicken droppings to enrich the crops. The pesticides are made of galangal, lemongrass and Siam weed marinated with rice whiskey.
They grow all kinds of vegetables. Some of what you would find are salad greens, string beans, small eggplants, morning glory, kale, Chinese cabbage, and corn. There is no shortage of fruits either, including limes, bananas, papayas, durian and mulberry. The produce is delivered to the Koh Mak Resort and Seavana Beach Resort to be cooked up for customers.
Moreover, there are fish farms that hold a range of fish; such as, catfish, snake-head fish and nile tillapia. The garden is also home to free range ducks and chickens. These are raised in a large stall, with space devoted to sleeping and egg-laying. When livestock is given the opportunity to move freely in a large space, they will be less stressed and in a better mood to produce quality eggs.
Excess food from the resorts is used to feed the different animals. This not only saves on cost, but helps recycle the waste.
While the majority of the products are shared between the two resorts, sometimes there is enough to sell to residents of the island and tourists.
Visiting the organic garden of the Koh Mak Resort is not only an opportunity to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, but also to learn organic gardening techniques from always welcoming Khru O.
Organic Gardening at Ko Mak Resort
Khun Phadungsak Samanmueang (Khru O)
Tel.: +66(0)9 8959 4634
