6 SWEET CORN – 6.110 – PLANT FACTS and VARIETES

 
ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY   
6 SWEET CORN – 6.110 – PLANT FACTS and VARIETES

 
Sweet corn is s type of maize which has been bred for its high sugar and low starch content. Once the cob has picked the sugar in the kernels is steadily converted into starch, which is why the flavour of home-grown sweet corn cooked within an hour of picking is so much better than the taste of shop-bought.
The 6 – 8-inch cobs are borne on 4-6ft stems - the tassels at the top of the adult plant are the male flowers; the female flowers are the ‘silks’ above the immature cobs. The plants are decorative as well as useful, but are regarded as semi-tropical by many. There is still a widespread view that sweet corn cannot be grown outside Europe, but this is no longer true. Choose one of the early F1 hybrids which have revolutionised the reliability of sweet corn in this country. Rise the seedlings indoors and best for planting outdoors in peat pots, and transplant after wait for the rainy season. Set the out in a sheltered, sunny spot and it would have to be poor summer for this crop.
 
VARIETIES
First of all, Earlyking, Sundance and more at local distributer.
 
SOILFACTS
There are two basic soil requirements – good drainage and enough humus to ensure that the ground will not dry out too quickly. Ideal it should be slightly acid reasonably fertile and deep, but the situation is more important than the soil type.
 
Choose a spot in full sun which is sheltered from the wind. Dig in winter incorporating peat or old compost if the previous crop was not manured. Rake in Grow more fertilizer about 2 weeks before sowing or planting.
 
Text from The Vegetable & Herb Expert D.D.G. Hessayon
 
 
KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI
6 MAHINDI TAMU – 6-110 – UKWELI WA MIMEA na VITAMU
 
Mahindi matamu ni aina ya mahindi ambayo yamekuzwa kwa sukari nyingi na wanga kidogo. Mara tu kibuzi kikishachuna sukari kwenye kokwa hubadilishwa polepole kuwa wanga, ndiyo maana ladha ya mahindi matamu ya nyumbani yaliyopikwa ndani ya saa moja baada ya kuchumwa ni bora zaidi kuliko ladha ya kununuliwa dukani.
Mabua ya inchi 6 - 8 hubebwa kwenye shina 4-6ft - tassels juu ya mmea mzima ni maua ya kiume; maua ya kike ni ‘hariri’ juu ya masuke machanga. Mimea ni ya mapambo na pia ni muhimu, lakini inachukuliwa kuwa ya nusu ya kitropiki na wengi. Bado kuna maoni yaliyoenea kwamba mahindi tamu hayawezi kukuzwa nje ya Uropa, lakini hii sio kweli tena. Chagua mojawapo ya mahuluti ya awali ya F1 ambayo yamebadilisha utegemezi wa mahindi matamu katika nchi hii. Inua miche ndani ya nyumba na bora zaidi kwa kupanda nje kwenye vyungu vya mboji, na kuipandikiza baada ya kusubiri msimu wa mvua. Weka nje katika sehemu iliyohifadhiwa, yenye jua na ingekuwa majira ya joto duni kwa zao hili.
 
AINA MBALIMBALI
Awali ya yote, Earlyking, Sundance na zaidi katika msambazaji wa ndani.
 
SOILFACTS
Kuna mahitaji mawili ya msingi ya udongo - mifereji ya maji nzuri na humus ya kutosha ili kuhakikisha kwamba ardhi haiwezi kukauka haraka sana. Inafaa iwe na asidi kidogo yenye rutuba na kina, lakini hali ni muhimu zaidi kuliko aina ya udongo.
 
Chagua mahali kwenye jua kamili ambalo limehifadhiwa kutoka kwa upepo. Chimba wakati wa msimu wa baridi ukijumuisha mboji au mboji ya zamani ikiwa mazao ya awali hayakuwa na mbolea. Rake in Panda mbolea zaidi takriban wiki 2 kabla ya kupanda au kupanda.

 

6 SWEET CORN – 6.111 - GROWING and SOIL

 
ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY   
6 SWEET CORN – 6.111 - GROWING and SOIL

 
Sweetcorn must be planted in rectangular blocks, not as a single row. This will ensure effective wind pollination of the female flowers.
Outdoor sowing may be reliable in the south but in other areas sow under cloches or preferably in pots indoors. Roots disturbance must be avoided, so use 3 in. peat pots – not clay or plastic ones. Sow 2 seeds about 1 in. deep in seed compost – leave 18 in. between transplants.
 
LOOKING AFTER THE CROP
Remove cloches when the foliage touches the glass. Protect seedlings with black cotton if birds are a nuisance. Keep down weeds but do not hoe close to the plants.
Roots will appear at the base of the stem – cover them with soil or a mulch f old compost. The sideshoots (‘tillers’) which may develop should not be removed.
Water in dry weather – this is especially important at flowering time. Stake if the plants are tall and the side is exposed.
Tapping the tassels at the top of each stem when they are fully developed, this will help pollination. Liquid feed when the cobs begin to swell.
 
SOIL FACTS
There are two basic soil requirements – good drainage and enough humus to ensure that the ground will not dry too quickly out. Ideally it should be slightly acid, reasonably fertile and deep, but the situation is more important than the soil type.
Choose a spot in full sun which is sheltered from the wind. Rake in Grow more fertilizer about 2 weeks before sawing or planting.
 
Text from The Vegetable & Herb Expert D.D.G. Hessayon

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI
6 MAHINDI TAMU – 6.111 - KUKUA NA UDONGO
 
Nafaka tamu lazima ipandwe katika vizuizi vya mstatili, sio kama safu moja. Hii itahakikisha uchavushaji mzuri wa upepo wa maua ya kike.
Kupanda kwa nje kunaweza kutegemewa kusini lakini katika maeneo mengine panda chini ya vifuniko au ikiwezekana kwenye sufuria ndani ya nyumba. Usumbufu wa mizizi lazima uepukwe, kwa hiyo tumia sufuria 3 za peat - sio udongo au plastiki. Panda mbegu 2 kuhusu inchi 1 ndani ya mboji ya mbegu - acha inchi 18 kati ya vipandikizi.
 
KUANGALIA MAZAO
Ondoa vifuniko wakati majani yanagusa glasi. Linda miche kwa pamba nyeusi ikiwa ndege ni kero. Zuia magugu lakini usipige jembe karibu na mimea.
Mizizi itaonekana chini ya shina - kuifunika kwa udongo au matandazo ya mbolea ya zamani. Vipuli vya pembeni (‘tillers’) vinavyoweza kutokea havipaswi kuondolewa.
Maji katika hali ya hewa kavu - hii ni muhimu hasa wakati wa maua. Shika ikiwa mimea ni mirefu na upande umefunuliwa.
Kugonga pindo juu ya kila shina wakati zimekua kikamilifu, hii itasaidia uchavushaji. Chakula cha kioevu wakati maganda huanza kuvimba.
 
MAMBO YA UDONGO
Kuna mahitaji mawili ya msingi ya udongo - mifereji ya maji nzuri na humus ya kutosha ili kuhakikisha kuwa ardhi haitakauka haraka sana. Inapaswa kuwa na asidi kidogo, yenye rutuba na kina, lakini hali ni muhimu zaidi kuliko aina ya udongo.
Chagua mahali kwenye jua kamili ambalo limehifadhiwa kutoka kwa upepo. Rake in Panda mbolea zaidi takriban wiki 2 kabla ya kukata au kupanda.

O

6 SWEET CORN – 6-112 - HARVESTING and KITCHEN

 

 
ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY   
6 SWEET CORN – 6-112 - HARVESTING and KITCHEN  

 
HARVESTING
Each plant will produce 1 pr 2 cops. Test for ripeness when the silk has turns chocolate brown. Pull back pat of the sheath and squeeze a couple of grains between thumbnail and fingernail. If a watery liquid squirts out then the cop is unripe. If the liquid is creamy than the cop is right for picking but if the liquid is thick and doughy you have waited too long.
Carefully twist off the ripe cop from the stem. Do this just before it is required for cooking.
 
KITCHEN
Country sayings emphasise the need to cook sweet corn as soon as possible after picking. According to the Americans “walk slowly to pick it, run back to the kitchen and cook it”.
Nearer home, the advice is to “take a pan with boiling water with you when you pick the cops. “.
Freshness, then, is all-important for top favour and so are two other tips - never add salt to the water and never boil for more as a few minutes if the cobs have been freshly picked. To prepare the cob, strip out the outer leaves cut off the stalk, and pull off the silks.
 
 
 
Text from The Vegetable & Herb  Expert D.D.G. Hessayon

 
 
6 MAZAO TAMU – 6-112 - KUVUNA na JIKO
KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI
 
KUVUNA
Kila mmea utatoa 1 pr 2 askari. Jaribu kuiva wakati hariri ina rangi ya chokoleti. Vuta nyuma papa la ala na ufinyue nafaka kadhaa kati ya ukucha na ukucha. Ikiwa kioevu cha maji kinatoka, basi askari huyo hajaiva. Ikiwa kioevu ni krimu kuliko askari ni sahihi kuokota lakini ikiwa kioevu ni kinene na cha unga umesubiri kwa muda mrefu sana.
Pindua kwa uangalifu polisi aliyeiva kutoka kwenye shina. Fanya hili kabla tu ya kuhitajika kwa kupikia.
 
JIKO
Maneno ya nchi yanasisitiza hitaji la kupika mahindi tamu haraka iwezekanavyo baada ya kuokota. Kulingana na Waamerika "tembea polepole ili kuichukua, kukimbia nyuma jikoni na kupika".
Karibu na nyumbani, ushauri ni “kuchukua sufuria yenye maji yanayochemka unapochukua askari. “.
Usafi, basi, ni muhimu sana kwa upendeleo wa hali ya juu na vile vile vidokezo vingine viwili - usiongeze chumvi kwenye maji na usichemke kwa dakika chache ikiwa mabuzi yamechujwa. Ili kuandaa kisu, ng'oa majani ya nje kata bua, na uvute hariri.

6 SWEET CORN – 6.113 - TROUBLES

 

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY   
6 SWEET CORN – 6.113 - TROUBLES   

 
SMUT
Lage galls (“smut balls”) appear on the cobs and stalk in hot and dry weather. These galls should be cut off and burnet as soon as they are seen, or they will burst open and release a mass of black spores.  Burn all plants after harvesting and do not grow sweet corn on the site for at last 3 years.
 FRIT FLY
Frit Fly maggots bore into the growing points of corn seedlings which then develop twisted and ragged leaves. Growth is stunted and undersized cobs are produced. Control measures are not generally worthwhile – grow the seedlings in pots under glass until they reach the stage when they are not susceptible to Frit Fly attack.
Text from The Vegetable & Herb Expert D.D.G. Hessayon

 
KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI
6 MAHINDI TAMU – 6.113 - SHIDA
 
SMUT
Nyongo ("mipira ya smut") huonekana kwenye mahindi na bua katika hali ya hewa ya joto na kavu. Nyongo hizi zinapaswa kukatwa na kuchomwa moto mara tu zinapoonekana, au zitapasuka na kutoa wingi wa spores nyeusi. Choma mimea yote baada ya kuvuna na usikuze nafaka tamu kwenye tovuti kwa miaka 3 iliyopita.
 FRIT FLY
Funza aina ya Frit Fly walitoboa kwenye sehemu zinazootesha za miche ya mahindi ambayo baadaye huota majani yaliyopotoka na chakavu. Ukuaji umedumaa na mahindi yenye ukubwa wa chini hutolewa. Hatua za kudhibiti hazifai kwa ujumla - zioteshe miche kwenye vyungu vilivyo chini ya glasi hadi ifike hatua ambayo haishambuliwi na Frit Fly.

6 SWEET POTATOES – 6.86 - PLANT FACTS and VARIETIES

  
ORGANIC FARMING CURSE AGRO-ECONOMY
6 SWEET POTATOES – 6.86 - PLANT FACTS and VARIETIES

 All You Need to Know About Sweet Potato Farming in Kenya
Introduction to Sweet Potato Farming in Kenya
Sweet potatoes farming in Kenya, or Ipomoea batatas, are now Kenya’s top crops. They resist drought and are vital for food and economic stability. These crops provide steady income for small farmers and increase market food supply. Kenya yields about 871,000 tons of sweet potatoes annually. This boosts rural wealth and ensures a national food supply. Their adaptability suits both small and large farms, for fresh sale or processing.
Moreover, orange-fleshed varieties are rich in Vitamin A, fighting malnutrition in at-risk groups. Thus, sweet potatoes not only improve nutrition but also empower farmers. They are key to Kenya’s agricultural and socio-economic growth.
 
Overview of Sweet Potato Farming in Kenya
Kenya’s food security achieves dependence on sweet potatoes and its economy mainly benefits small farmers. This crop cultivates both food and livelihoods in poor rural areas. It is a pillar of the nation’s food strategy. Sweet potatoes of the orange-fleshed type are rich in vitamin A. They constitute essential food to combating malnutrition for many families. They also grow under varied climates and suit different parts of Kenya.
 
Key Advantages:
Quick maturity (3-6 months); Drought tolerance; Minimal input requirements;
Year-round cultivation potential;
 
SWEET Potatoes are generally an easy crop to farm due to their low capital intensity and applicability on small tracts of land.
 
 
Sweet Potato Varieties in Kenya
1. Kabode
High Vitamin A content; Best suited for warm climatic regions; Maturity period: 4-5 months; Average yield: 15-20 tons/hectare; Disease resistance: Moderate to high
Ideal regions: Western, Nyanza, and Coast regions:

 
2. Vitaa
Rich in beta-carotene; Sweet taste profile; Requires consistent rainfall
Maturity period: 4-6 months; Average yield: 18-25 tons/hectare
Best suited for: Medium to high altitude areas; Popular in: Central and Western regions
 
3. Beauregard
Exceptional adaptability to various climates; High commercial value
Maturity period: 3-4 months; Average yield: 20-30 tons/hectare
Disease resistance: Good; Suitable for: Most Kenyan agricultural zones:
 

 
4. SPK004 (KALRO Variety)
Locally developed by KALRO; Strong disease resistance; Maturity period: 4-5 months
Average yield: 15-18 tons/hectare; Ideal for small-scale farming; Best performance: Medium altitude areas:
 

 
5. KEMB 36
Enhanced pest and disease resistance; Consistent yield performance
Maturity period: 4-5 months; Average yield: 16-22 tons/hectare
Adaptable to various soil types; Recommended for: All major agricultural zones
 
6. Tainung
Taiwanese origin; Large tuber size; High market demand
Maturity period: 4-6 months; Average yield: 18-25 tons/hectare;
Soil adaptability: Excellent; Popular in: Eastern and Central regions:
 

 

Variety	Key Characteristics	Ideal Regions
Kabode	High Vitamin A, warm climates	Western, Nyanza, Coast
Vitaa	Beta-carotene rich, sweet	Central, Western
Beauregard	Adaptable, high commercial value	Most regions
SPK004	KALRO variety, disease-resistant	Medium altitude
KEMB 36	Pest and disease resistant	All major zones
Tainung 1	Large tubers, high market demand	Eastern, Central

 
 
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KILIMO HAI CHALAANI KILIMO-UCHUMI
VIAZI 6 VITAMU – 6.86 - UKWELI WA MIMEA NA AINA AINA
 
Unayohitaji Kujua Kuhusu Kilimo cha Viazi Vitamu nchini Kenya
Utangulizi wa Kilimo cha Viazi Vitamu nchini Kenya
Kilimo cha viazi vitamu nchini Kenya, au Ipomoea batatas, sasa ni zao kuu nchini Kenya. Wanapinga ukame na ni muhimu kwa chakula na utulivu wa kiuchumi. Mazao haya hutoa mapato ya kutosha kwa wakulima wadogo na kuongeza usambazaji wa chakula sokoni. Kenya hutoa takriban tani 871,000 za viazi vitamu kila mwaka. Hii inakuza utajiri wa vijijini na kuhakikisha usambazaji wa chakula wa kitaifa. Kubadilika kwao kunafaa kwa shamba ndogo na kubwa, kwa uuzaji au usindikaji mpya.
Zaidi ya hayo, aina za rangi ya chungwa zina vitamini A nyingi, zinazopambana na utapiamlo katika vikundi vilivyo hatarini. Hivyo, viazi vitamu sio tu kwamba vinaboresha lishe bali pia vinawawezesha wakulima. Wao ni muhimu kwa ukuaji wa kilimo na kijamii na kiuchumi wa Kenya.
 
Muhtasari wa Kilimo cha Viazi Vitamu nchini Kenya
Usalama wa chakula wa Kenya unafikia utegemezi wa viazi vitamu na uchumi wake unanufaisha wakulima wadogo. Zao hili hulima chakula na riziki katika maeneo duni ya vijijini. Ni nguzo ya mkakati wa chakula wa taifa. Viazi vitamu vya aina ya chungwa vina vitamini A kwa wingi. Ni chakula muhimu katika kupambana na utapiamlo kwa familia nyingi. Pia hukua chini ya hali ya hewa tofauti na inafaa sehemu tofauti za Kenya.
 
Faida Muhimu:
Ukomavu wa haraka (miezi 3-6); Uvumilivu wa ukame; Mahitaji ya chini ya pembejeo;
Uwezo wa kilimo wa mwaka mzima;
 
Viazi vitamu kwa ujumla ni zao ambalo ni rahisi kulima kutokana na mtaji wake mdogo na kutumika katika maeneo madogo ya ardhi.
 
Aina za Viazi Vitamu nchini Kenya
1. Kabode
Kiasi kikubwa cha vitamini A; Inafaa zaidi kwa mikoa yenye hali ya hewa ya joto; Kipindi cha kukomaa: miezi 4-5; Mavuno ya wastani: tani 15-20 kwa hekta; Upinzani wa magonjwa: Wastani hadi juu
Mikoa inayofaa: Mikoa ya Magharibi, Nyanza, na Pwani:
 
2. Vitaa
Tajiri katika beta-carotene; Profaili ya ladha tamu; Inahitaji mvua thabiti
Kipindi cha kukomaa: miezi 4-6; Wastani wa mavuno: tani 18-25 kwa hekta
Inafaa zaidi kwa: Maeneo ya mwinuko wa kati hadi juu; Maarufu katika: Mikoa ya Kati na Magharibi
 
3. Beauregard
Uwezo wa kipekee wa kukabiliana na hali ya hewa mbalimbali; Thamani ya juu ya kibiashara
Kipindi cha kukomaa: miezi 3-4; Mavuno ya wastani: tani 20-30 kwa hekta
Upinzani wa magonjwa: Nzuri; Inafaa kwa: Kanda nyingi za kilimo za Kenya:
 
4. SPK004 (Aina ya KALRO)
Iliyoundwa ndani na KALRO; Upinzani mkubwa wa magonjwa; Kipindi cha kukomaa: miezi 4-5
Mavuno ya wastani: tani 15-18 kwa hekta; Inafaa kwa kilimo kidogo; Utendaji bora: Maeneo ya mwinuko wa kati:
 
5. KEMB 36
Kuimarisha upinzani wa wadudu na magonjwa; Utendaji wa mavuno thabiti
Kipindi cha kukomaa: miezi 4-5; Wastani wa mavuno: tani 16-22 kwa hekta
Inafaa kwa aina mbalimbali za udongo; Imependekezwa kwa: Kanda zote kuu za kilimo
 
6. Tainung
asili ya Taiwan; Saizi kubwa ya mizizi; Mahitaji ya juu ya soko
Kipindi cha kukomaa: miezi 4-6; Mavuno ya wastani: tani 18-25 / hekta;
Kubadilika kwa udongo: Bora; Maarufu katika: Mikoa ya Mashariki na Kati:
 
Sifa Muhimu Mbalimbali Mikoa Bora
Kabode High Vitamin A, hali ya hewa ya joto Magharibi, Nyanza, Pwani
Vitaa Beta-carotene tajiri, tamu Kati, Magharibi
Beauregard Inaweza kubadilika, thamani ya juu ya kibiashara Mikoa mingi
Aina ya SPK004 KALRO, Mwinuko wa kati unaostahimili magonjwa
KEMB 36 Inastahimili wadudu na magonjwa Kanda zote kuu
Tainung 1 Mizizi mikubwa, mahitaji ya soko la juu Mashariki, Kati

6 SWEET POTATOES – 6.87 - LOVE THE SUMMER HEAT

 
ORGANIC FARMING CURSE AGRO-ECONOMY
6 SWEET POTATOES – 6.87 - LOVE THE SUMMER HEAT

 
Sweet Potatoes are different from your normal Potato, as they love the hot summer heat. Most Potatoes die off in the summer heat, but that is when your Sweet Potatoes will thrive. Sweet potato flesh is classified as moist or dry. Moist, deep orange types are sometimes called yams; the most popular varieties for home gardens are moist types, including Centennial and Georgia Jet.
Sweet potatoes are grown worldwide, from tropical regions to temperate climates. This warm-weather crop is remarkably nutritious and versatile. Each fleshy root is rich in vitamins A and C, along with many important minerals. Use them raw, boiled, or baked, in soups, casseroles, desserts, breads, or stir-fries—and don't forget to try some homemade sweet potato fries!
 
PLANTING
Sweet potatoes will grow in poor soil, but roots may be deformed in heavy clay or long
and stringy in sandy soil. To create the perfect environment, build long, wide, 10-inch-high ridges spaced 3½ feet apart. (A 10-foot row will produce 8 to 10 pounds of potatoes.) Work in plenty of organic compost, avoiding nitrogen-rich fertilizers that produce lush vines and stunted tubes. In the North, cover the raised rows with black plastic to keep the soil warm and promote strong growth.
It's best to plant root sprouts, called slips, which are available from nurseries and mail-order suppliers. Or you can grow your own, by saving a few roots from your previous crop or by buying untreated roots (store-bought sweet potatoes are often waxed to prevent sprouting).
About six weeks before it's time to plant sweet potatoes outdoors in your area, place the roots in a box of moist sand, sawdust, or chopped leaves in a warm spot 21 to 25 degree. Shoots will sprout, and when they reach 6 to 9 inches long, cut them off the root. Remove and dispose of the bottom inch from each slip, as that portion sometimes harbours disease organisms.
 
Sweet potatoes mature in 90 to 170 days and are extremely frost sensitive. Plant in full sun 3 to 4 weeks after the last frost when the soil has warmed. Make holes 6 inches deep and 12 inches apart. Bury slips up to the top leaves, press the soil down gently but firmly, and water well.
If you're not using black plastic, mulch the vines 2 weeks after planting to smother weeds, conserve moisture, and keep the soil loose for root development. Occasionally lift longer vines to keep them from rooting at the joints, or they will put their energy into forming many undersized tubers at each rooted area rather than ripening the main crop at the base of the plant. Otherwise, handle plants as little as possible to prevent wounds that might be invaded by disease spores.
If the weather is dry, provide 1 inch of water a week until 2 weeks before harvesting, then let the soil dry out a bit. Don't over water, or the plants—which can withstand dry spells better than rainy ones—may rot.
 
HARVESTING
You can harvest as soon as leaves start to yellow, but the longer a crop is left in the ground, the higher the yield and vitamin content. Once frost blackens the vines, however, tubers can quickly rot.
Use a spading fork to dig tubers on a sunny day when the soil is dry. Remember that tubers can grow a foot or more from the plant, and that any nicks on their tender skins will encourage spoilage. Dry tubers in the sun for several hours, then move them to a well-ventilated spot and keep at -5 C. to 0 degrees C.  for 10 to 15 days.
After they are cured, store at around 13 degrees C., with a humidity of 75 to 80 percent.
 

 
KILIMO HAI CHALAANI KILIMO-UCHUMI VIAZI
6 VITAMU – 6.87 - PENDA JOTO LA MAJIRA
 
Viazi vitamu ni tofauti na Viazi vyako vya kawaida, kwa vile vinapenda joto kali la kiangazi. Viazi nyingi hufa kwenye joto la kiangazi, lakini hapo ndipo Viazi vyako vitamu vitastawi. Nyama ya viazi vitamu imeainishwa kama unyevu au kavu. Aina ya machungwa yenye unyevunyevu wakati mwingine huitwa viazi vikuu; aina maarufu zaidi kwa bustani za nyumbani ni aina za unyevu, ikiwa ni pamoja na Centennial na Georgia Jet.
Viazi vitamu hupandwa ulimwenguni pote, kutoka mikoa ya tropiki hadi hali ya hewa ya joto. Zao hili la hali ya hewa ya joto ni la lishe na lina uwezo wa kutosha. Kila mizizi yenye nyama ina vitamini A na C nyingi, pamoja na madini mengi muhimu. Zitumie zikiwa mbichi, zilizochemshwa, au kuokwa, katika supu, bakuli, vipodozi, mikate, au kukaanga—na usisahau kujaribu viazi vitamu vilivyotengenezwa nyumbani!
 
KUPANDA
Viazi vitamu vitakua kwenye udongo duni, lakini mizizi inaweza kuharibika kwenye udongo mzito au mirefu
na stringy katika udongo wa mchanga. Ili kuunda mazingira bora, jenga matuta marefu, mapana, na urefu wa inchi 10 yaliyotenganishwa kwa futi 3½. (Safu ya futi 10 itazalisha pauni 8 hadi 10 za viazi.) Fanya kazi katika mbolea ya kikaboni kwa wingi, ukiepuka mbolea zenye nitrojeni nyingi zinazozalisha mizabibu nyororo na mirija iliyodumaa. Upande wa Kaskazini, funika safu zilizoinuliwa kwa plastiki nyeusi ili kuweka udongo joto na kukuza ukuaji wa nguvu.
Ni bora kupanda miche ya mizizi, inayoitwa slips, ambayo inapatikana kutoka kwa vitalu na wauzaji wa kuagiza barua. Au unaweza kukua mwenyewe, kwa kuokoa mizizi michache kutoka kwa mazao yako ya awali au kwa kununua mizizi ambayo haijatibiwa (viazi vitamu vya duka mara nyingi hutiwa nta ili kuzuia kuchipua).
Takriban wiki sita kabla ya wakati wa kupanda viazi vitamu nje katika eneo lako, weka mizizi kwenye sanduku la mchanga wenye unyevunyevu, vumbi la mbao au majani yaliyokatwakatwa katika sehemu yenye joto nyuzi 21 hadi 25. Shina zitachipuka, na zikifikia urefu wa inchi 6 hadi 9, zikate mzizi. Ondoa na uondoe inchi ya chini kutoka kwa kila kipande, kwani sehemu hiyo wakati mwingine huhifadhi viumbe vya magonjwa.
 
Viazi vitamu hukomaa baada ya siku 90 hadi 170 na ni nyeti sana kwa theluji. Panda kwenye jua kali wiki 3 hadi 4 baada ya baridi ya mwisho wakati udongo umepata joto. Tengeneza mashimo yenye kina cha inchi 6 na inchi 12 kutoka kwa kila mmoja. Zika huteleza hadi kwenye majani ya juu, bonyeza udongo chini kwa upole lakini kwa uthabiti, na maji vizuri.
Ikiwa hutumii plastiki nyeusi, tandaza mizabibu wiki 2 baada ya kupanda ili kuzuia magugu, kuhifadhi unyevu, na kuweka udongo kuwa huru kwa ukuaji wa mizizi. Mara kwa mara inua mizabibu mirefu ili kuzuia mizizi kwenye viungio, au itaweka nguvu zake katika kutengeneza mizizi mingi isiyo na ukubwa katika kila eneo lenye mizizi badala ya kuiva zao kuu kwenye msingi wa mmea. Vinginevyo, shughulikia mimea kidogo iwezekanavyo ili kuzuia majeraha ambayo yanaweza kuvamiwa na spores za ugonjwa.
Ikiwa hali ya hewa ni kavu, toa inchi 1 ya maji kwa wiki hadi wiki 2 kabla ya kuvuna, kisha acha udongo ukauke kidogo. Usinywe maji kupita kiasi, au mimea—ambayo inaweza kustahimili vipindi vya ukame bora kuliko mvua—inaweza kuoza.
 
KUVUNA
Unaweza kuvuna mara tu majani yanapoanza kuwa ya manjano, lakini kadiri mazao yanavyoachwa ardhini, ndivyo mavuno yanavyoongezeka na maudhui ya vitamini. Mara tu baridi inapofanya mizabibu kuwa nyeusi, hata hivyo, mizizi inaweza kuoza haraka.
Tumia uma kuchimba mizizi siku ya jua wakati udongo umekauka. Kumbuka kwamba mizizi inaweza kukua kwa futi moja au zaidi kutoka kwa mmea, na kwamba nick yoyote kwenye ngozi zao laini itachochea kuharibika. Kausha mizizi kwenye jua kwa saa kadhaa, kisha uisogeze hadi mahali penye hewa ya kutosha na uihifadhi kwa nyuzi joto -5 C. hadi 0 kwa siku 10 hadi 15. Baada ya kuponywa, hifadhi kwa karibu 14 ° C. digrii, na unyevu wa asilimia 75 hadi 80.

6 SWISS CHARD – 6.89 – PLANT FACTS and SOIL

 

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

6 SWISS CHARD – 6.89 – PLANT FACTS and SOIL