Home
Growing carrots
|
Carrots growing in the garden |
Carrots are a tuber crop that are most commonly orange and have green leaves. There are other varieties that range in color from white to red. They are used in cooking for food items like soups and stews, to being eaten raw on their own or as part of a salad. There are many varieties of carrot like nantes, oxheart chantey, amsterdam, kuroda among others. They grow mostly in cool climate (15-25°C) and require moderate amount of rainfall (500-900mm). It does well in high altitude from 1200m above sea level, though varieties will dictate the best growing climate. Carrots grow best in fertile well drained soils, for proper root formation and nutrient needs fulfilment. Clay soils may hinder proper root formation. The soil ph should also be checked as it does well between 6.5 and 7.5. |
- Details
Growing Cabbage
Cabbages are one of the more popular vegetables consumed in Kenya. They are relatively easy to grow and manage and mostly require adequate water for optimum growth. There are many varieties of cabbage in the market. They prefer cool climate with fertile, well drained soils.
A head of cabbage
It is a dietary source of potassium, calcium, vitamins A and C. cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable and are thought to fight and protect from cancers such as colon, skin, breast, stomach, liver, bladder and lungs. I have tried growing a few of them and here is my experience.
- Details
Growing beans
Beans are one of the staple foods in Kenya. The only one that is more or equally grown food crop is maize. I think this is because in most homes there is a food made by combining the two called githeri. It is usually boiled when cooked in its simplest form but can later be garnished or fried and reconstituted into other dishes.
Among the beans there are many varieties that are grown and these will be determined by the altitude and climate of each place.
Beans growing in the field
Among the beans that are grown in my area are chelalang', nyayo, red kidney, mwitemania, wairimu, rosecoco among others. All the above are good for commercial venture as they have production of between 6 to 10 bags weighing 90 kilos per acre.
- Details
Growing boma rhodes hay
Hay is a type of grass that is grown to feed livestock. It is usually a type of grass that grows tall and is usually cut, let to dry and then kept in storage. This can usually be bound with some type of tying material like string by hand or by machine.
Boma rhodes
We decided to grow hay so as to have feed for the cows during the dry season. The most common hay grown in Kenya is boma rhodes. It grows relatively well and can be quite tall when it receives adequate rainfall and fertilizer. It can also be cut at least twice a year in ideal conditions. I believe the other reason it is popular with farmers locally is also because it is palatable to the cows and nutritious especially when cut at the right stage.
- Details
Page 1 of 7