You can contact them on +263 785 075 136. Pest control itself is a hotly debated topic, but there are many methods of organic pest control that are viable solutions to this tricky problem. Plant seeds inch deep, 2-3 weeks before the last frost in the spring. Most of you are familiar with bell peppers also known as sweet peppers. You can also blanch the spinach by steaming the greens for about one minute if you dont want to use the microwave. You can harvest about 15 tonnes of green beans per hectare. A significant number of vegetable crops are best grown to start with seedlings. Learn more, AboutCareersPressDisclaimerPrivacy PolicyContact. This means you have a prospective market pool comprising millions of people. This is for the serious players and those with land in favourable regions. However, once youve planted seeds and theyve sprouted, watch for them to form at least four leaves. Its rich in iron and manganese, and has a reasonable amount of fiber for a leaf vegetable. An example of these come from the amaranth family and the plants areoften mistaken as weeds. Spinach prefers fertile, well-drained soils rich in organic matter for best growth. You can grow spinach in shadier conditions, but it should receive no less than six hours of full sun per day for plant development. Spinach is one of the best cool-weather crops that you can grow. This section is filled with all the starchy goodness we can muster! It can tolerate a light frost, but heavy freezes will kill the plant. Because spinach is grown when the weather is cool and damp, several fungal diseases, such as downy mildew (blue mold) and fusarium wilt, can become problems. In Zimbabwe lots of people, from small home-based producers to large-scale producers, are actively involved in vegetable production. Leafy greens are the basis of our salads, our sides, an additive to our soups, and more. Vines produce all sorts of fruit from cucumbers to passion fruit. The fact that we now seasonally encounter maize shortages speaks to the potency of starting a maize farming business. Some of these qualify as fruit, but many people think of them as vegetables. Thin it to at least 3 inches apart and harvest as the plant reaches 5-6 inches in height. Water requirements depend on soil type and temperatures. Our in-depth guides explain your options and help you determine the best ones for your needs. A bit of EB Stone Sure Start will help the seeds get started right. Note that containers tend to dry out faster than the ground, so you'll likely have to water container plants more frequently. Sow seeds in a shallow moist drill and cover lightly with soil. Sow outdoors, directly where they are to grow. A salad spinner can take off most of the moisture, but you can also blot off extra moisture with a towel. Microgreens are young vegetables typically 2.5 to 7.5 centimetres in height. Your email address will not be published. Sadly, these days the sector is not as robust as it used to be though it is still a favoured go-to for most aspiring entrepreneurs. High summer temperatures reduce growth, decrease quality, and cause the plants to flower and the leaves to develop bitter or off-flavors. Spinach benefits and side effects. Instead, place your greens into a resealable bag, and place them in the microwave for one minute, then directly into the freezer. And it prefers a fairly neutral soil pH. Most grow well in Utah. The Zimbabwean climate has been gradually changing just like it has been all over the world. Spinach can be harvested in the "cut and come again" method. For maximum results, it is best to use modern farming approaches. In this article, I will be focusing on crop farming. This is a very popular variety most sought after by many these days. This shows you how lucrative it can be to grow tobacco in Zimbabwe. To dry your spinach, follow the manufacturers directions on your dehydrator or freeze dryer. Although growing mushrooms isnt technically gardening, its still an amazing way to grow food at home. You'll need a seed tray or container with cells and universal soil to grow seedlings. Spinach and kale have similar growing requirements, both liking cooler weather and taking around the same time from planting to harvesting. Trim off individual leaves with garden scissors, starting with the oldest outer leaves and letting the young inner leaves remain to continue growing for a later harvest. Flea beetles will eat holes into your leaves, and if not stopped quickly can skeletonize the leaves entirely. Sow seeds inch deep and at least 1 inch apart, either in rows or broadcast over the soil. In hot weather, spinach seeds wont germinate, and in cold weather, they may germinate much more slowly. On average, 450 grams of mature microgreens can go for about US$50 that is good money. When they eat the poisoned bait, they die off and leave my plants safe from harm. Examples are spinach, celery, broccoli, basil, lettuce, cabbage, peas, and coriander, amongst others. Spinach tastes best when plants grow rapidly and mature before the heat of summer. Typically, the only pruning you need to do when you grow spinach is to harvest spinach leaves during its season. Affiliate/Sponsored LinksEspoma Biotone - http://bit.ly/3cDoYzOGardener's Supply Wire A-Frame Trellis - https://bit.ly/2yRfzFdJardin Round Obelisk, 7' - . Bacillus thurigiensis spray is the answer to these little caterpillars. There are also some great DIY pest control methods that work against slugs and snails! Harvesting the leaves throughout the growing season is how you prune a spinach plant to keep it vigorous. Erosion is reduced and weed growth is slowed when a good cover crop is in place. Transplants should be planted near the last frost-free date for the growing area. In many parts of the world, a second fall crop is also possible, and most spinach is somewhat frost-tolerant. Aside from pests and diseases, if youre having germination problems, there are a few possible causes for these. The cutworm can be a dangerous pest. Weed control is particularly important during establishment. We do too. It is a huge market with so much money to be made. Raised bed gardening reduces pest and weed pressures, elevates the garden to a more comfortable working level, and is a great way to guarantee you have quality soil to grow in. Water spinach regularly supplying 1-2 inches per week. Some are also used for their medicinal properties. Northern and eastern parts of Zimbabwe are the most suited for tobacco production. Remain watchful for other plants with similar problems. Lets explore the weird, wild, and sometimes simply strange world of spices! There are a lot of tips that float around on the internet that turn out to be complete wastes of time and effort. There are many good varieties for sale in local gardening outlets and through seed catalogs. If I had to tell you just one area of crop farming to get into that would be vegetable farming. They are widely consumed by most Zimbabweans either raw or cooked. Spinach: a step-by-step guide on how to grow it, How to make a simple, sturdy plastic tunnel at minimal cost, Pest and disease control in pearl millet production. One of the most active domains for that is vegetable farming. Temperatures down to 32F do not seriously damage young plants. Generally, anything below 40 degrees is best protected from the chill in the air. Learn how to do it with our in-depth tutorials! Repeat until no dirt or debris is visible in the water or in the bottom of the bowl. Thin seedlings or transplant spinach to 3 inches apart in the row with rows 12 inches apart. About 50 per cent of Zimbabweans consume cucumbers regularly. Do not just think about the local market and just selling raw produce. Because it is such a fast grower, spinach is also a heavy feeder. Let me reiterate, there is much more value in value addition i.e. Thankfully, Bt spray will help with these and other forms of moth larvae as well. Spinach is typically ready to harvest in four to six weeks after planting. Powdery mildew can also become a problem on spinach, but it can be treated with repeated applications of neem oil. Mushrooms are also another profitable farming venture, Missed opportunities the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed in Zimbabwe, Black Market Forex Exchange Rates Today 4 December 2019, ZESA given the forex greenlight, with conditions, How To Make Money With Google AdSense From Zimbabwe. A: Ideally, you can get up to four harvests from a single plant. Were addressing all of these things here! This presents two possible options for the type of crops to grow. This tends to make the spinach quite brittle, so if you opt to do this, you should expect that you wont be able to rehydrate the spinach into full leaves. If you fertilize with compost, apply no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area. The fruits have thick walls and can weigh between 140 and 160 grams. This will get your plants off to a good start and keep the soil moist. Seeds should be planted inch deep. Finally, we come to the slugs and snails. Some examples to highlight here are sorghum, millet, and rapoko. Lost Password? Other good cool-weather choices include cauliflower, celery, cabbage, peas, or strawberries. Your email address will not be published. However, youll need to regularly check it to make sure it is not wilting or spoiling in its bag. Dont blanch with boiling water as this will draw out too many of the nutrients and flavor of the leaves. He has worked with individuals, small to medium enterprises, and large corporations in Zimbabwe & various countries. Continue to fertilize throughout the season, following your product's instructions. Control insects and diseases throughout the year. Spinach is a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamins A, B6, C, folate, calcium, and iron. Small grains are a great fit given the aforementioned circumstances. Here we discuss all elements of growing berries on bushes, trees, or individual plants. Tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers are also good plants near your spinach. These moth larvae will munch right through the base of young fresh leaves, causing them to topple over and die. As for the other crops, I categorized because I did not want to end up excluding some crops that might be important. Due to the long taproot that the spinach plant produces, it can quickly outgrow any starter containers. Happy farming! Step 7:Harvest spinach regularly. And kale can have a slightly bitter taste while spinach is sweeter. If fertilizer applications are warranted, work the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. Lovely lemons, luscious limes, great grapefruit, tasty tangerines and mighty mandarins and even the freaky finger limes and more! Plants which yellow on one side, or which are experiencing stunted growth, may be affected by fusarium. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. I have also done an article on the common tomato varieties grown in Zimbabwe. 2022 Epic Gardening. He is also a Data Analyst, Virtual Assistant, and Researcher. The little research which has been carried out relates these greens to the cabbage family. The mostly annual (sometimes biennial) flowering plants in this species are native to central and western Asia. Harvesting and eating: Pick leaves as needed. Required fields are marked *. Spinach is a heavy feeder! Lets talk about that. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. We love our root vegetables, whether theyre rutabagas or turnips, carrots, or radishes! You also can cut down the whole plant at once if you want a large harvest. When to Plant Spinach Spinach is very cold-hardy, but not very heat-tolerant. Rugare,covo, rape, choumoellier orchomolia, and Ethiopian mustard greensare the names commonly used for greens in Botswana, Zambia,Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. When is the best time to plant spinach? That means it needs at least three to four hours of direct sun on most days, though it could use some protection from strong afternoon sun. Green vegetables represent a wide array of vegetables. That means you should plant seeds in the garden as soon as the soil is workable in the spring. Spinach will flower (bolts) during long days and warm temperatures in summer. Sow in spring or late summer. Plant a seed every inch or so along the row, and cover with about 1/4 to 1/2 soil. When reusing, you can just pull out handfuls of spinach and add it to whatever youre going to cook. Consistent soil moisture is important when you grow spinach. You can treat both of these problems with copper fungicide. Whether its hot composting, vermicomposting, bokashi, or another method, you need to be doing this essential gardening technique to boost your soil. How do you keep spinach from developing a bitter flavor? If sowing more than one row, space them 30cm (1ft) apart. Step 6:For a better crop, apply a top dressing about five weeks later as spinach needs a lot of nitrogen for good quality, broad leaves. Most soils in Utah are well suited for spinach production. You can slightly delay this by planting in the partial shade of taller plants. Harvest spinach as soon as 5 weeks after sowing. Harvest baby spinach, or broad, well-veined mature spinach leaves. No matter whether theyre huge like watermelons or tiny like lingonberries, youll find them here! Anthracnose and cercospora leaf spotcan both cause blotches and spotting on leaves. Best Companions: Eggplant, celery, cauliflower, Watering: Water regularly, at least 1-inch every 7-10 days, Fertilizing: Side dress with nitrogen fertilizer 2-3 weeks after first hilling. How to begin growing spinach: Step 1: Loosen your soil by digging down deep. Spinach can be grown from seed or transplants. If you harvest the outer leaves, and leave about 1/3 of the plant, your spinach will regrow. From seed to harvest, youre looking at about 40 days. In most climates, it grows best when planted in the spring or fall. At this point, simply transplant, and grow spinach in pots for its lifespan. You can opt to either cut the stems off slightly below the leaf, or to snip off the entire plant. Sow spinach successionally every few weeks to ensure a continuous crop. The best times to plant spinach is as a spring or fall crop. This mildew develops in wet or humid weather and can be hard to control. Pruning your plants properly is particularly pertinent to prolific paybacks! Best of all, many cover crops will provide beneficial organic matter to the soil to improve it long after the plant has died. The spider flower plant, with its five to seven leaves, are also often found growing in many backyards in Africa. On average, 450 grams of mature microgreens can go for about US$50 . Sow seed: March-May. Then, place about a pound of spinach at a time into a cheesecloth bag and steam it until its thoroughly wilted. Water spinach frequently to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. In general, spinach needs around 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week. You can also preserve your spinach for later use by freezing, canning, or drying it. If you plant too close to summertime, its common for your spinach seedlings to seed stalk without producing many leaves at all. When planting, mix a fertilizer that's high in nitrogen into the soil, following label instructions. But how do you harvest spinach for the best taste, and how long can you store it for? Depending on your typical weather conditions, you can sow spinach seeds in fall from August through September and harvest well into the latter portion of the year. A: Honestly, harvest no more than 1/3 of a plant at any time. Spinach likes a loamy, organically rich, well-draining soil. They can be propagated on open fields or under greenhouses, by trellising. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. The taproot will continue trying to grow downward, and it can spiral around inside its container. A: Germination takes about 6 weeks. Once there are four young spinach leaves there, you can add an extra dose of a high-nitrogen water soluble plant food around the base of your plant. Also, grow spinach in conditions between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. But if the conditions are wrong, your spinach crops will suffer. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. At the most advanced level, you can even grow vegetables for export. Growing flowers can be a challenge for new and old gardeners alike. 10 health benefits of spinach How to grow spinach: Plant spinach at the right time Spinach can be grown in almost any climate if grown at the right time. In fact,cocoyam or taro leaves are widely used in West Africa. Anything from 20 tonnes upwards can be harvested per hectare. This can sometimes be treated with liquid copper fungicide. The basic structure of the flower is similar to amaranth, in its small, spiked, and inconspicuous nature. These arebetter known as delele in Zambia and Botswana, murere in Kenya,derere in Zimbabwe, andmolokhiain Egypt and other North African countries. Owing to the home and building construction boom in Zimbabwe the demand for ornamental crops is there. Other types include banana peppers, piquillo peppers, cherry peppers, shishito peppers, hatch peppers, poblano peppers, and freshno peppers, amongst others. 7 Tips for How to Grow Spinach 1. Other greens come from naturally occurring foliage or shrubs. Thin seedlings or transplant spinach to 3 inches apart in the row with rows 12 inches apart. So do we! When and How to Harvest. Be sure to remove any excess air in the bag before freezing! The climate has shifted more to higher temperatures and that has greatly affected maize farming, for instance. 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Harvest in four to six weeks after planting, mix a fertilizer that 's high in nitrogen into soil..., it Grows best when plants grow rapidly and mature before the last date..., small to medium enterprises, and has a reasonable amount of fiber for a leaf vegetable by.... And inconspicuous nature right through the base of young fresh leaves, writes... It with our in-depth guides explain your options and help you determine the best times to spinach! Important when you grow spinach in pots for its lifespan can get up to four harvests from single.