Blackfordby Graduates Union

How to grow carrots

1. Choose the right location: Carrots prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Make sure to choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

2. Prepare the soil: Carrots grow best in loose, sandy soil that is free of rocks and debris. Work the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches and remove any large clumps or rocks.

3. Plant the seeds: Carrot seeds are very small, so it's important to plant them shallowly. Sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows that are spaced about 12 inches apart.

4. Water regularly: Carrots need consistent moisture to grow properly. Water them regularly, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

5. Thin the seedlings: Once the carrot seedlings have sprouted, thin them out so that they are spaced about 3 inches apart. This will allow the carrots to grow to their full size without competing for space.

6. Mulch: Mulching around the carrot plants can help retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from growing. Use a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, to keep the soil cool and moist.

7. Fertilize: Carrots are light feeders, so they don't need a lot of fertilizer. However, you can apply a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10, once or twice during the growing season to help promote healthy growth.

8. Harvest: Carrots are ready to harvest when they reach their mature size, usually around 60-80 days after planting. Gently pull the carrots from the soil, being careful not to damage the tops. Wash and store the carrots in a cool, dark place until ready to use.

HOW TO PLANT GARLIC
Every Garlic farmer should Know that GARLIC doesn't produce TRUE SEED but is PROPAGATED by planting the "CLOVES", cloves are the small BULBLETS or SEGMENTS making up the GARLIC BULB.
Eech bulb usually contains a dozen or more cloves,Each clove is planted separately.
SELECT LARGER OUTER CLOVES OF THE BEST GARLIC BULBS FOR PLANTING.The larger cloves yields LARGER SIZED,MUTURE BULBS AT HARVEST.
NOTE: do not divide the BULBS until ready to plant, Early separation decreases yields.select "seed bulbs" that are;
1.large
2.smooth
3.fresh but partially dried and are sprouting inside the cloves
4.free from diseases.

PLANTING GARLIC

Dig a hole or trench (you can use a stamper for making holes ) to ensure uniformity and correct spacing in order to harvest the required yield.
Place the UNPEELED GARLIC CLOVE GENTLY INTO THE HOLE with the pointed side up(scar[stem] end down) and cover the clove with soil.
N.B setting the clove in an upright position ensures a straight neck.
PLANT THE CLOVEB1-3" DEEP AND 10cm X 10cm APART AND BED SHOULD ATLEAST BE 1m wide and 20m long and 20cm height from the ground.
the cloves can be planted slightly deeper in cold areas.
Mulching should be done as soon as the garlic seed has emerged.mulching helps to conserve moisture and protect the cloves from severe cold.
IRRIGATE THE GARLIC SOON AFTER PLANTING.
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WE WILL NOT ONLY SELL YOU OUR SEEDLINGS BUT WE WILL ALSO HELP YOU WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO GROW THE CROPS AND HELP WITH THE MARKET.

See you there!

Happy International Women's Day!

𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀.

👉🏾Ensure that your rabbits are housed in strong structures that will protect the animals from predators.

👉🏾Provide the correct amount of space for each animal with areas that can be used to separate males (bucks) from females (does).

👉🏾Ensure that you have a reliable supply of food, straw and fresh, clean water for the rabbits.

👉🏾Clean the rabbit housing regularly to reduce the incidence of disease.

👉🏾If you are feeding rabbit concentrate, supply it during the day and feed the animals green material at night.

👉Select only healthy, large rabbits for breeding.

👉🏾Avoid in-breeding (allowing brothers and sisters, mothers and sons/ fathers and daughters etc. to breed).

👉🏾 One buck can service 10 does.
Rabbits can begin breeding between 6 - 12 months depending on the breed.

👉🏾A doe can produce litters until the age of 3.

👉🏾 Always bring the doe to the buck for mating.

👉🏾 Rabbits may have between 4 and 8 litters per year with an average of 6 kits (babies) per litter. Kits will be born 30-32 days after mating.

👉🏾Rabbits are ready for slaughter between 8-12 weeks or when they have reached the desired weight. They should be slaughtered hygienically and humanely after having no food for 24 hours.

👉🏾Slaughtered rabbits should be hung for bleeding then skinned, gutted, washed and dressed ready for market. They must be stored refrigerated or frozen.

PPROFITABLE TOMATO FARMING: 9 MISTAKES FRAMERS SHOULD BE CAREFUL WITH
Although some people find it very easy to have healthy and fresh tomatoes in their garden, not all of us have the right information or talent to do so.
In this article we’ll look at some of the mistakes to avoid while planting tomatoes, to increase their size, flavour, and overall plant output.
Forgetting to Harden Seedlings
Failing to harden your seedlings is one of the common mistakes many people make. In fact, it is one of the most important things to ensure their survival.
The “hardening process” enables seedlings to adapt to the changes in temperature or exposure to weather such as wind and rain. Here are some of the ways to help you in hardening the tomato seedlings.
Gradually Increase the seedling’s exposure to the natural environments about a month after germination.
During the first days of exposure, keep plants out of direct sunlight and do not take them out in the cold. Expose them for a few hours and then take them back to their seedbed. For the best results, make sure you expose the seedlings to these elements for seven or more days before transplanting them to the outside garden.
Exposing them to the sunlight, air-circulation, rain, and wind will harden them and make them ready for the outdoors.
Not Doing Anything About The Soil
Many new to gardening do not know that soil is everything to plants.
Good well-drained soil will feed your tomato crop, promoting healthy growth. Well-aerated soil also promotes healthy plant growth.
Remember the best tasting tomatoes grow in soil rich in nutrients and well amended with organic compost. Do soil tests always and follow results... agriculture
https://zaszambia.wordpress.com/2021/01/24/profitable-tomato-farming-9-mistakes-framers-should-be-careful-with/ROFITABLE TOMATO FARMING: 9 MISTAKES FRAMERS SHOULD BE CAREFUL WITH
Although some people find it very easy to have healthy and fresh tomatoes in their garden, not all of us have the right information or talent to do so.
In this article we’ll look at some of the mistakes to avoid while planting tomatoes, to increase their size, flavour, and overall plant output.
Forgetting to Harden Seedlings
Failing to harden your seedlings is one of the common mistakes many people make. In fact, it is one of the most important things to ensure their survival.
The “hardening process” enables seedlings to adapt to the changes in temperature or exposure to weather such as wind and rain. Here are some of the ways to help you in hardening the tomato seedlings.
Gradually Increase the seedling’s exposure to the natural environments about a month after germination.
During the first days of exposure, keep plants out of direct sunlight and do not take them out in the cold. Expose them for a few hours and then take them back to their seedbed. For the best results, make sure you expose the seedlings to these elements for seven or more days before transplanting them to the outside garden.
Exposing them to the sunlight, air-circulation, rain, and wind will harden them and make them ready for the outdoors.
Not Doing Anything About The Soil
Many new to gardening do not know that soil is everything to plants.
Good well-drained soil will feed your tomato crop, promoting healthy growth. Well-aerated soil also promotes healthy plant growth.
Remember the best tasting tomatoes grow in soil rich in nutrients and well amended with organic compost. Do soil tests always and follow results...
agriculture

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Safe celebrations and do not forget to mask up!

Blackfordby was fully represented last Friday at the Inaugural 4-H Youth to Youth Awards and Mentorship with our own in scooping an award in the best Agriculture Innovation and the Most Outstanding Youth in Agriculture .
Congratulations !

Congratulations to all our graduates .Wishing that brighter opportunities come your way abd yoy achieve success !

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Blackfordby College of Agriculture | LinkedIn Blackfordby College of Agriculture | 10 followers on LinkedIn | Spes In Agricultura | Blackfordby College of Agriculture is situated approximately 60km north west of Harare on Klein Kopjes Farm in Concession, Mazowe District. The farm is 1,350ha in extent and is located in Natural Region IIA of the....

Tips On How To Grow Tomato Plants Over Winter
Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a warm season crop that dies back when cold temperatures threaten. This usually means no home-grown tomatoes in winter, unless you have a greenhouse. You can, however, grow tomatoes indoors, but they are usually smaller and produce less prolifically than their summer cousins. Choose appropriate varieties when growing indoor tomatoes and learn the tips on how to grow tomatoes indoors. Then, that fresh, sweet flavor can be yours all winter long.
How to Grow Tomatoes Indoors
Tomatoes need full sun and at least eight hours of light to produce any fruit. Temperatures should be in the range of 18°C or more indoors.
Use unglazed pots that will breathe, with good drainage holes when growing indoor tomatoes.
One way to preserve your summer tomatoes is to bring them inside at the end of summer. You may be able to save the tomato plants over winter for a period. Older plants will gradually stop producing, so you can’t save them forever, but you can extend the harvest.
For an endless harvest all season long, try growing indoor tomatoes in successive batches. Start seeds every two weeks for a season long supply of producing plants.
Starting Winter Growing Tomatoes
Sow tomato seeds inside in seed starter mix. Plant them half a cm deep in 1kg pots. Keep the soil lightly moist and in a warm location to germinate. The top of the refrigerator is ideal. Start a new pot of seeds every two weeks for a constant supply of tomato plants over winter and into early spring.
Once germination occurs in five to ten days, move the pots to a brightly lit area, near a southern window. Be sure the window isn’t drafty and interior temperatures are 18°C or more.
Flowering will be promoted by warmer temperatures and best growth is from 24-29°C . Transplant them to bigger pots when seedlings are 3 inches tall. Begin fertilizing every two weeks.