Eco Youths Network Uganda
What is the biggest challenge you face when growing greens or cabbages pests, water, seeds, or soil? Let’s share ideas.
#LeafyGreens #SustainableLiving #HealthyCommunities 🌍🥬 #Uganda
Jan 23 at 12:59pmWeb
Show threadbearsongJan 23
hi @econetwork
i think our challenge has been enough balanced fertility.
if the young plants are well fed, get a good start, with a bit of early watering, then they seem to grow well, root deeply and shake off pests. we cover them in nets as our local pigeons will strip young leaves.
we've grown many cabbages that have seemed nutrient poor and never get strong.
this year we're on patch that was fallow last year, with field beans overwintering as green manure (nitrogen fixing) + compost
#garden
Show threadEco Youths Network UgandaJan 23

@bearsong Thanks for sharing. Sometimes we also cover young plants like you do, since pigeons and even hens can damage them. But sometimes we fail to raise all plants due to unbalanced watering, or keeping seedlings too long in cold places, even when they get sunlight..

When transplanting, we also believe too much fertilizer is not good.
BTW, where do you live and what do you mostly grow?

Show threadbearsongJan 23

@econetwork

i agree on fertilizer, well balanced slow release fertility, from green manure & compost is good, much better than concentrated bought products.
we're trying out a new rotation pattern this year, with a fallow year prior to cabbage and onion.

we're in north west europe, atlantic coastal.
so, very different conditions from you.
currently it's winter: 8°C, raining, with 9 hours of daylight.

i planted cabbage seeds in heated propagators last week, aiming to plant out ~end February

Show threadEco Youths Network UgandaJan 24
@bearsong I understand, and thank you for explaining your conditions and approach. From your message, it sounds like you are a well-organized and experienced group. We would really love to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other despite the different climates.
Show threadbearsongJan 23

@econetwork

as well as cabbages
- including cauliflower, brussel sprouts, sprouting broccoli, kale
we grow (with varying success ; )
- onions, spinach, garlic & leeks
- potatoes, carrots, parsnips, beetroots & swede
- beans, peas, amaranth & squash
- sweetcorn (if we're lucky with the summer weather)
- apples, pears, figs, damsons, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, hazelnuts

which crops do you like to grow?
what grows well?
are you located at altitude and equatorial?

Show threadEco Youths Network UgandaJan 24
@bearsong That’s a great diversity of crops. For us, we try different types of crops as well, but we mainly focus on tomatoes, cabbages, Chinese cabbages, onions, and green peppers. We also grow other crops depending on the season, and we maintain small nursery gardens where we raise and care for tree seedlings.
Show threadEco Youths Network UgandaJan 24
@bearsong We are located near the equatorial region, at moderate altitude, which allows us to grow crops year-round, although rainfall patterns and soil management are very important for us.