Basement garden is in full swing.
Purple tomatillos, 5 types of lettuce, cherry tomatoes and basil.
On deck: Sugar pumpkins, poblanos, tatsoi and chives.
Bonus: hydroponic spinach kratky experiment
#garden #gardening #grow #lettuce #tomatoes #seedling #seedlings #plantstadon #growlight #hydroponic #hydroponics #kratky #kratkymethod
Consistent moisture. Keeping the levels right can be challenging. Too dry, no germination. Too wet, no germination.
Always water bottom up.
Warming mats are also a bit of a cheat code for the summer crops.
Proper air flow will slow down algae and mold.
A DynaTrap is a great way to mitigate inevitable fungus gnats.
Try growing things you've never grown before. The best part of gardening is the variety of available seeds.
Every bug and animal is interested in brassicas.
@Strombo Thank you for the great tips! We are learning a lot, and I agree that trying new crops is one of the most exciting parts of gardening.
BTW, what is your favorite crop to grow, and why? Also, Also, what is one crop you think every beginner should try growing?
Spinach is my favorite thing to grow because it's hearty, healthy and delicious. Easy to fertilize too, it loves bloodmeal for the nitrogen and iron.
Spinach pulls sugar from its roots to its leaves when it gets cold to act as a natural antifreeze. This has an obvious side effect of making the leaves sweeter instead of bitter.
For a beginner, most beans handle direct sowing very well and sprout suspiciously fast. Harvest as they mature to ensure it keeps producing.
@Strombo This is really very cool! Thank you for sharing this knowledge with us, we truly appreciate it. We asked these questions because we are planning to start a new school term with different sustainable agriculture projects in schools here in Uganda.
By the way, we are a youth-led non-profit organization that works with schools and communities, helping young people learn about farming, environmental conservation, and sustainability.
Have you ever visited any African country? If so, what was the most interesting thing you experienced this side?
I have not been to Africa, but would love to visit the cradle of humanity some day.
I had a friend in the Peace Corps go to The Gambia to help dig wells and she can still speak Mandinka.
I understand water can be a real challenge over there sometimes. And it's a problem that will only get worse with global warming.
@Strombo Haha, we would be happy to host people like you! If you ever plan to visit Africa one day, please count us among your friends here in Uganda. 😊
Your phrase "cradle of humanity" is a good one it reminds us of the long story of mankind and where it all began.
As for water, we are fortunate that our area in central Uganda does not face major water shortages. We have many rivers and lakes, including Lake Victoria, which is one of the sources of the Nile River, the second-longest river in the world. 😄
Still, climate change is something we are paying close attention to, especially as farmers.
[We are trying to be good ambassadors for #Uganda hhhhh]
Eric LeVan
Sustainable Schools Network