My second year as a columnist

Standard Style
April has become a particularly special month for me. This is the month that I started writing gardening articles exactly two years ago.

April has become a particularly special month for me. This is the month that I started writing gardening articles exactly two years ago.

farm & garden with Doreen Badze

Tomatoes damaged by Tuta Absoluta
Tomatoes damaged by Tuta Absoluta

I was extremely nervous about the commitment to write weekly because I had numerous other responsibilities such as my family and business. Though my first article only had 300 words, that took me forever to write. I worried and wondered how I was going to be able to remain consistent. I had not been exercising my writing skills since retiring from nursing where writing is in the form of charting — merely narrating what has been happening with a patient during your shift. Additionally, I had no full understanding of what columnists do and when my former editor then explained, I told her I could not do it. Furthermore, I wondered why she chose me. She explained that she had gone through my Facebook Page called Badze Garden Nursery and liked what she saw. However, through her encouragement, I reluctantly agreed.

In retrospect, the “Power of Now” played a large role in both birthing a vision that was in alignment with my heart’s true passions and creating an opportunity for me to manifest that vision. The actions that were required of me were to recognise, trust, and accept that this opportunity was especially for me. After those actions came the work. Though challenging, the work has ultimately blessed me in many and unexpected ways.

After the initial phase of doubting myself passed, I started surprising myself by unearthing farm and garden experiences that I had harboured for years. Special memories of my childhood began visiting me — a period I got farm and garden exposure from my parents. In those memories, I was able to see that I was on the right path in committing to these articles. Everything started adding up, my confidence started building, and my love for exploration of nature tremendously increased. After so many years of working other jobs. I was finally focused in the heart of my passions doing exactly what my calling is all about.

When I allowed myself to let go of the fear, anxieties, and insecurities of producing these articles week after week, it became effortless and exciting. Through the act of sharing information gained through my experiences, I began to touch a giant joy within myself. I also found that I was learning about my area of passion more than I could have imagined because my readers, who are also passionate and curious, wanted to know more and more about the agricultural happenings within our Zimbabwean environment. In turn, I have been pushed to research more and started a viable WhatsApp group of serious farmers who are mostly readers of my articles.

Honouring my readers, I set out to discuss agricultural issues with people in the industry, growers, agronomists and agrochemical giants. In doing so, I met wonderfully knowledgeable business owners, operating within all spectrums of our agriculture industry.

Amongst other subjects, these equally passionate individuals graciously contribute relevant information about the varying pests and disease that affect our farming efforts, and how to effectively battle them.

The passion, hard work, and positive curiosity expressed by both my readers and the farming community collided with that of my own. This collision has inspired me to further increase my knowledge of farming practically and theoretically.

I want to thank each and every one of you for engaging with me and filling my life as a farmer with such lovely and unexpected joy. Below is some of the feedback that I received from readers.

“Hie Doreen. My name is Collen Mukuzhe from Chivhu. I enjoy gardening and saw your article on okra. Thank you for that. I got touched by the Tuta Absoluta article also, although the Agriculture minister had said it was not a threat. Now apart from that, the rains have caused more fungal diseases, leaving farmers no room to get in with Diathane. Hope next time you will give the nutritional value of okra.”

“Hello Mrs Badze. I always follow your articles on gardening in The Standard Style. I am learning a lot from you. I always love sweet peas; surely they are God-given. Unfortunately, I stay in Mabelreign and I would have loved to visit the nursery. Keep up the good work.”

I want to thank all those who have given me feedback and the staff at The Standard for giving me this platform.

This week, we have the following seedlings available from our nursery; rape, tsunga paida, green pepper, onion tx grano, tomato rodade, covo rugare hybrid, broccoli, lettuce commander and many more. Happy farming and gardening week!

Doreen Mutobaya Badze is a retired nurse and passion-driven grower. She can be reached on Cell: 0779730880 or 16 Metcalf Road Greendale, Harare. Email: [email protected] Facebook Page: Badze Garden Nursery.