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The availability of readily grown seedlings has led to the dilemma of which one of the 2, Seeds or Seedlings, is better. Truth is, they both have their pros and cons. The usage, however, depends on the situation or the need. For those of us still deciding on whether to start with seeds or seedlings have a look at some of the pros and cons for each below.
Over the past few months, there has been an introduction of the concept nunua-ploti-na-greenhouse. The idea of owning a plot and a greenhouse from which your plot starts paying off from the sale of horticultural crops grown in the greenhouse. A Beautiful concept that ensures the investors pay back their plot on time and easily while we improve our food security as a country. However, there lies a huge deception on the returns that has forced us to talk about this issue before it is branded the next Kenyan pyramid scheme. We have an obligation to protect our industry and to state our position on the current discussion on people’s lips on the validity of this concept.
Growing the same crop year-in-year-out builds up levels of any soil borne pathogen of that crop that may be present. The population gradually accumulates such that it becomes difficult to grow that crop without yield losses. Farmers may resort the “easiest” method they are presented with; pesticides. Research has shown that chemicals have harmful effects on the soil and the on the organisms found in the soil; let’s not even get into the harmful effects on humans.
Aquaponics is a combination of hydroponics and aquaculture. Simply put, it’s the growing of plants and rearing of fish in the same space. This system can be customised to fit any kind of space; from that small space in your backyard to a greenhouse.
Hydroponics- A newly practiced age old tradition
Elimination of guesswork in farming with a simple soil test
Soil test is the analysis of soil samples to determine the nutrient and contamination levels, composition, and other characteristics such as the acidity or pH level. Soils contain the nutrients, water, and living organisms that help create healthy and sustainable farms. A basic soil test gives readings on the soil pH, phosphate, potassium and magnesium levels. Soil pH is one of the most important tests; it measures the alkalinity or acidity levels of the soil. Adjusting the pH of the soil ensures proper nutrient uptake and plant health. It plays a big role in the availability of nutrients to plant roots, nutrient run-off and leaching and microbial efficiency.
A pathology test analyses common fungi and bacteria, existing in the soil that might adversely affect your crops. Based on the results, we give you recommendations on the right product to use. Soil samples can be done for diagnostic or routine purposes.
The process involves taking a small sample of your soil which will be used to show the true variations of the chemical composition within the field. Results from the soil tests will guide help the farmer apply the right amount of fertilizer and lime while meeting the nutrition requirements of the crop and still making use of the available nutrients in the soil. Above all, it will save the farmer a lot of money.
Diagnostic soil sampling is done when a farmer attributes low productivity of his land to a pathological problem. Routine soil samples are done when a farmer is interested in knowing the status of the soil prior to planting in so as to implement the necessary precautionary measures.
Here is an example of a pathology test result scale:
0 Not detected
1 Starting infection
2 Light infection
3 Moderate infection
4 Infected
5 Severely infected
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths”– Walt Disney
