Harvest Zambia

02/08/2021

Happy Farmers Day to every farmer. Thank you for your service and passion.

01/08/2021

Read this...

Meet - Bupe Chipili Mulapesi, Zambian born Farmer, Agripreneur, Founder and CEO of Farm23 Strawberry Zambia, producers and suppliers of fresh strawberry fruit, pure strawberry jam and ready to plant strawberry seedlings.

She started her own strawberry farm after being inspired and mentored by another female strawberry farmer in Australia and she has proven to be a force to reckon with in the fruit farming industry in Zambia.

Mulapesi started with only 20 plants and has since grown to a large plantation of 40,000 strawberry plants, with prospects of increasing to a maximum of 300,000 plants within the next 2 years.

"We aim to supply a high quality strawberry fruit which is affordable and easily accessible to the market, because strawberry fruit which is imported comes at a high cost. Our goal is to satisfy both the local and international markets with the best quality of strawberry fruit in terms of taste and a long shelf life," said Mulapesi.

Mulapesi - Contact No: +260977800413

13/07/2021

Livestock Farming

"Livestock farming is simply the management and breeding of domestic, livestock or farm animals for the purpose of obtaining their meat and products (milk, eggs, leather, etc.). It can also be described as the economic activity that involves raising domestic animals for human consumption and obtaining meat, milk, wool, fur, honey, among others.

Livestock farming is one of the oldest economic activities of man started by early men. It guarantees food supply, hides, skins, bones, milk and other animal products without going to the forest to hunt. Livestock farming includes the breeding of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry, rabbits, snails, fishes, and honeybees."

Source: livestocking.net

07/07/2021

You will forever be in our mouths, minds, hearts. Rest in Power Super Ken.

🇿🇲🇿🇲❤️

02/07/2021

WHY SOIL PH IS IMPORTANT

"What is soil pH?

Soil pH is the measure of the acidity (sourness) or alkalinity (sweetness) of a soil. A simple numerical scale is used to express pH. The scale goes from 0.0 To 14.0, with 0.0 being most acid, and 14.0 being most alkaline. The value, 7.0 is neutral--i.e., neither acid nor alkaline.

Why is pH important?

Soil pH is important because it influences several soil factors affecting plant growth, such as:

✓ Soil bacteria
✓ Nutrient leaching
✓ Nutrient availability
✓ Toxic elements, and
✓ Soil structure.

Bacterial activity that releases nitrogen from organic matter and certain fertilizers is particularly affected by soil pH, because bacteria operate best in the pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. Plant nutrients leach out of soils with a pH below 5.0 much more rapidly than from soils with values between 5.0 and 7.5. Plant nutrients are generally most available to plants in the pH range 5.5 to 6.5. Aluminum may become toxic to plant growth in certain soils with a pH below 5.0. The structure of the soil, especially of clay, is affected by pH. In the optimum pH range (5.5 to 7.0) clay soils are granular and are easily worked, whereas if the soil pH is either extremely acid or extremely alkaline, clays tend to become sticky and hard to cultivate.

A pH determination (soil test) will tell whether your soil will produce good plant growth or whether it will need to be treated to adjust the pH level. For most plants, the optimum pH range is from 5.5 to 7.0, but some plants will grow in more acid soil or may require a more alkaline level.

The pH is not an indication of fertility, but it does affect the availability of fertilizer nutrients. A soil may contain adequate nutrients yet growth.

How to correct pH

Normally, lime or dolomite is used to increase the pH, or "sweeten" the soil. Lime contains mainly calcium carbonate and dolomite contains both calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Ground limestone and dolomite are less likely to "burn" plant roots than hydrated lime and are therefore recommended for home use. The amount of these materials necessary to change the pH will depend on the soil. The greater the amount of organic matter or clay in a soil, the more lime.

If a soil is tested as too alkaline, determine if this is due to recent application of lime or whether it is due to an inherent characteristic of the soil. It is quite difficult, if not impossible, to change appreciably the pH of naturally alkaline soil by use of acid-forming materials. If a high pH is due to applied lime or other alkaline additives, ammonium sulfate, sulfur, or similar acid-forming materials can be applied."

24/06/2021

WATERING VEGETABLES

"Water vegetables regularly, depending on your climate, the weather, and how the plants are looking. It is better to give them a good soak once or twice a week rather than a light sprinkle every day.

The soft, leafy nature of many vegetables means they have high water requirements, so don’t let them dry out or their quality will suffer greatly."











Let's interact and share our gardening experiences.

23/06/2021

THE MAJOR INSECT PEST GROUPS & SOME QUICK FIRE HOLISTIC & ORGANIC TREATMENT APPROACHES.

INSECT PEST:

Natural Predators: Ladybugs, hoverflies, lacewings, parasitic wasps, damselflies, dragonflies, small birds, bats

Holistic Treatment: Sq**rt off with hose pipe

Organic Treatment : Insect repellent sprays; horticultural oil; insecticidal soap sprays; pyrethrum sprays

INSECT PEST: , , AND

Natural Predators: Chickens, ducks

HOLISTIC TREATMENT:Suck off with hand vacuum; knock into a bucket of soapy water

ORGANIC TREATMENT: Insecticidal soap sprays; rotenone; diatomaceous earth (garden quality)

INSECT PEST:

Natural Predators: Birds

Holistic Treatment: Remove by hand

Organic Treament: Bioinsecticides (Bacillus thuringiensis, spinosad)

INSECT PEST: ,

Natural Predators: Chickens, ducks

Holistic Treatment: Physical barriers such as plastic cups or bottles with the bases cut out; physical traps

Organic Treatment: Diatomaceous earth (garden quality)

INSECT PEST:

Natural Predators: Predatory mites, hoverflies, ladybugs, lacewings

Holistic Treament: Hose up under foliage

Organic Treatment: Soap sprays; horticultural oil; sulfur sprays

INSECT PEST: AND

Natural Predators: Ducks, lizards

Holistic Treatment: Remove by hand; barrier of ash, crushed eggshell, or shell grit; copper tape barrier; beer traps

Organic Treament: Copper sprays; iron-based snail pellets

INSECT PEST:

Natural Predators: Ladybugs, hoverflies, lacewings

Holistic Treatment: Yellow sticky traps

Organic Treatment: Insect repellent sprays; horticultural oil; insecticidal soap sprays

when using any spray

Using organic sprays might seem like a great alternative. However, like chemical sprays, they are not selective and will also kill any beneficial insects in the vicinity of the pests that you spray.

22/06/2021

Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Observe the distance. Stay safe.

22/06/2021

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22/06/2021

GREEN MANURE CROPS AND SOIL FERTILITY

"Green manures are a great way to improve the fertility and productivity of your soil.

Sow seeds of different legumes such as fava beans, clover, rye, and annual grasses in autumn for a lush winter crop, then dig this into the soil as the plants start to flower, before they become woody. Their deep root systems retrieve mineral nutrients from the subsoil and bring them closer to the surface, and they also fix nitrogen. Once dug in, they make good quantities of high-protein organic matter and nitrogen available for your next crop. Dig them in at least four weeks before planting vegetables in the bed and turn the bed over again if necessary to hasten their breakdown.

These green manures also cover the soil and suppress weeds in the winter months while at the same time keeping the soil active and “sweet.” "







In the picture below is Sesbania Sesban "Sesban (Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr.) is a fast- growing, perennial legume tree, reaching a height of up to 8 m. It is a very good green manure. "

22/06/2021

QUICK TIPS

Vegetable and fruit peelings, old plants, grass clippings, and fall leaves can be used to make amazing rich soil or mulch for the plants you intend to grow.

MAKE YOUR OWN COMPOST
The easiest way to make compost if you have a small space is to use a plastic garbage can or anything that fits the description. By adding a layer of waste that will rot down inside the container, you’ll have excellent crumbly compost.

SOME THINGS YOU CAN USE
• Weeds and plants (cut seed heads off first)
• Coffee grounds and tea leaves
• Eggshells
• Lawn clippings
• Manure
• Shredded paper and cardboard
• Straw and hay
• Uncooked kitchen vegetable waste, such as fruit and vegetable peelings
• Dead flowers
• Shredded twigs and branches
• Plant trimmings

THING TO AVOID USING
• Glossy paper or magazines
• Detergents and chemical products
• Diseased plant material
• Perennial weeds
• Scraps of food that will attract vermin, such as meat
• Thick paper or cardboard unless shredded
Organic matter in the form of compost is an essential addition to all vegetable-garden soils. Whatever type of soil you have—clay, sandy, loam—it will be improved by adding a soil conditioner like

21/06/2021

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