This column allows me to talk about my past when I was willing to learn everything and anything that interested me. I had no idea what passion was all about — all I knew was that I preferred to be in the fields, working. My late grandfather played a role in enhancing and strengthening my admiration and love for the soil, which I still have today.
gardening with Doreen Badze
During my grandfather’s time, if you were not a politician, musician or businessperson with a bunch of stores, nothing else would make you popular.
However, this man I am writing about remains a celebrity in the Chivero area in Mhondoro, 23 years after he died. The age group that knew him, remembers him as an outstanding farmer. These memories have been brought about by how on point he was with the rigorous schedules of farming. He was a small-scale farmer since land was an issue back then. And when I look back at what he produced on that “small” piece of land, it was way more than what some 40-hectare fields yield today. Among all the lessons I got from him, the one that stuck with me is land preparation. It was the ox-driven plough that he taught me how to use. I was young with bones not so strong, I would do well when the cows were going in a straight line, but when it was time to make a U-turn (kuhomuka), I remember flying up in the air and letting go the plough and he would magically be right there in a split of a second to put the plough back in line while yelling “Gentleman, Brakwacha” — the names of his favourite oxen that obeyed his orders. The land would be tilled line after line until it was done. It was a lot of work but I never resented like I did with other chores like dishwashing.
Purpose of land preparation
It is sure a pretty sight on some of the roadside fields where land preparation has been done for the oncoming rainy season. More and more tractors are now accessible that can plough and disk a hectare within a few hours. However, a larger population of rural farmers are still tilling their land using draught power. The exercise of land preparation is actually done any time when there is an established date of planting. We only see it on a larger scale right before the rains since it is the main source of water for most farmers. For those with other means of irrigation, land preparation is ongoing, depending on what they are planting next. They maybe farmers who will need to do land preparation from scratch, that is clearing virgin land, removing trees and rocks. Additionally, land tillage should be done in a timely manner to help to recycle plant nutrients and allow decomposition of organic material. Furthermore, when soil has been loosened to a proper depth, it will support efficient crop growth and development and that, with all other fertilisation programmes included, will lead to a favourable yield.
Soil-testing
This is an essential component of land preparation, a process that starts by collecting a sample of your soil for testing, of which the results will be used as the guidance of needed requirement of fertilisers before and after planting and soil amendments that must be incorporated. This may further reduce costs by attending to only what is needed per soil recommendations regarding nutrient and mineral status of the soil. I am familiar with a few places you can go for soil-testing, like Zim Labs in Msasa and Total Farm Solutions, who can be reached on Cell number 0774 137 581.
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This week in our nursery we have the following seedlings; Cabbage Star 3311, green pepper California wonder variety, rape, covo, king onion, Tengeru tomatoes, spinach, gooseberry and beetroot.
Happy gardening week!
Doreen Mutobaya Badze is a retired nurse and passion-driven gardener. She can be reached on Cell: 0779 730 880 or at 16 Metcalf Road Greendale, Harare. Email: [email protected] Facebook Page: Badze Garden Nursery
