1The Zimbabwean Gardener

The ZimbabweangardenerWINTER 2015 ISSUE 13

$5

Gardens ChiCkens aloes kids reCipesISSN 2307-1060

AvocadosHow to look after your avo tree

Keeping chickens for eggsAll the ins and outs of looking after layers

A weekly

routine guide for

all gardeners!

PropagationPropagating succulents

2The Zimbabwean Gardener

3Argentinian gauchos and air plants

In March, I was lucky enough to spend a month under the Argentinian sun. As the Argentineans would say, I had un espectacular tiempo, spending my days riding with gauchos, tasting wines, seeing old friends, and lapping up the beautiful views of their exquisite country.

I spent the first week of my holiday riding with gauchos in the north of Argentina. The gauchos, the South American cowboys, are much romanticised about in many books and songs. It was interesting to learn about the hard yet somewhat romantic life of the gaucho, while riding through tobacco farms, along riverbeds, under gum trees and wherever the path led us. In return, I had something I could teach them the name of some exotic plants we came across. It was like a parallel universe as we share the same climate, friendly people, plants, economic situation, good braais and much more!

However, the one thing, which was totally new to me, was the stream of air plants everywhere in the north of Argentina. They were literally in any place they could grip onto and not be disturbed: along electricity lines, covering trees and any other out of reach place. Wanting to find out more about this fascinating little plant, I jumped on to good ole Google and had a little chuckle when I read this on the first listing:

Air plants are perfect for those with a fear of houseplants - its easy to grow and care for air plants!

Deb Wiley, http://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/grow-air-plants/

Basically, air plants just feed off air and neglect, so the next time a friend tells you, I kill everything I touch, give them an air plant with a sign saying Dont touch me! However, for those of you who have slightly greener fingers, there is an article on indoor plants on page 14 on how to look after them, plus a list of the hardier not so easy to kill houseplants.

Ironically, when I was back in Zimbabwe at my first photo shoot, there they were again. This time some air plants had made it into beautiful floral arrangements to add texture. What an amazing combination who would have thought! You can see the talented Kirsty Bennings article on page 20 on using flowers from the garden.

And I am sure that is not the last that I will see of this interesting plant, as they are back in demand and very fashionable at the moment. Just google air plant design and you will be in total awe of all the ways people have used them in different design elements.

Happy gardening!

Kari

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4The Zimbabwean Gardener

GOLDEN STAIRS NURSERY

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07 leave the leaves be Stop the burning of leaves this winter to prevent air pollution09 400 roses take gold! One of the NAGC garden of the year winners puts on a blooming display12 propagating succulents with Cosmas Learn different propagating methods14 indoor plants How to look after your house plants so they last longer17 a Great Zimbabwe Garden A show stopper NAGC garden of the year winner 20 inspiration and help from the garden Using plants from the garden for floral art

24 Create a winter refuge for birds, butterflies and bees Natural gardening26 The winter guide A weekly and monthly routine for all gardeners this winter28 What to do in the veggie garden Grow letttuce, peas and butternut29 Billys meats Learn how to cook Braised beef short rib stew - a perfect winter dish30 The natal Mahogany The perfect evergreen tree for all gardens providing a bit of something for all32 dont panic, put a brick in your cistern! Problems and solutions to climate change in Zim

36 Chickens for eggs How to look after point-of-lay chickens in your garden for a fresh supply of eggs40 avocados in the home garden How to look after your avocado tree42 Gardening for kids Learn how to grow an avocado tree from the seed45 avo-lujah! Delicious and different recipes using avocado to keep it interesting48 Whos who Directory of nurseries, landscapers, lawn, and many more50 Aloe haroniensis A newly discovered aloe species found in Zimbabwe

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20Defrost the freezer to

maintain its efficiency.

6sUBsCripTionsWe apologise for the magazines not reaching you in time, but we are being

let down by the postal service. At the moment, we are not taking in any new subscribers until the postal system improves a bit or until further notice.

For current subscribers, we will continue to send your magazine by post. If you do not receive it by the end of the first month it is out, please get in touch with us asap so we can send you a new copy. Email us on adverts@gardener.com to let us know

that your magazine has not been sent. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Contributors

editor Kari Olivey kariolivey@gardener.com0774 397 529

advertising enquiriesadverts@gardener.com0776 188 010

distributionThe Zimbabwean Gardener & Print Media Distribution

ContributorsKari Olivey, Lindsay Charters, Ant Fynn, Sally Meikle, Gill Olivey, Cosmas, Caryl Stutchbury, Dr. Lisa Marabini, Bridget Henderson, Kirsty Jean Benning, Andy Roberts, Sarah Whaley

With thanks toGill & Tony Olivey, Emerald Seedlings, Sally Meikle, Belinda Thompson, Winke and Mike Schmolke, Norman and Jean Kennaird, Kim MacDonald and Tawny Stidolph

photography byKari Olivey

print Raptor

ContributionIf you would like to contribute an article to The Zimbabwean Gardener, please contact the editor.

disclaimerWhile every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents, the editor cannot be held responsible for any omission or errors. The Zimbabwean Gardener has the right to make alterations to any article submitted, and cannot be held responsible for the loss of or damage to any material submitted for publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor. All prices quoted were correct at the time of going to press, and may vary from shop to shop. The Zimbabwean Gardener is not responsible for copyright issues with advertisers and the pictures or texts they have used - this is the responsibility of the advertisors.

The Zimbabwean Gardener 2012. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission from the publisher.

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The Zimbabwean Gardener

The ZimbabweangardenerAUTUMN 2015 ISSUE 12

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GARDENS VEGGIES COMMUNITY FOLIAGE ROSESISSN 2307-1060

Understand So i lGet to know and improve your soil

Community gardeningBulawayo grows veggies for the community

Its time to

plant your

sweet peas!

Grey foliageA variety of water wise plants

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Check out our website at thezimbabweangardener.com

7Cleaner air

Leave the leaves be By Dr Lisa Marabini

Good air quality is everyones responsibility - avoid polluting the air this winter and start composting!

Autumn is here, the leaves are falling and already an alarming number of illegal residential leafy bonfires are being set. Choking on an inconsiderate neighbours leaf smoke is more than just an irritation: it can pose serious health risks. The open burning of leaves produces particulate matter and hydrocarbons (similar to those found in tobacco smoke), which contain a number of toxic, irritant, and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds, as well as carbon monoxide. The particulate matter consists of tiny particles that can reach the deepest regions of the lung and remain there for months. Breathing particulate matter can increase the chances of respiratory infection, reduce the volume of air inhaled and impair the lungs ability to use that air. Particulate matter can also trigger asthma attacks.

Carbon monoxide, is an invisible gas that results from incomplete combustion in burning leaf piles. Carbon monoxide is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and combines with red blood cells. This reduces the amount of oxygen the red blood cells can absorb and supply to body tissues. Unborn children, newborn infants, smokers, the elderly, and persons with heart and chronic lung disease are the most susceptible to carbon monoxide. Additionally, burning organic matter also releases carbon dioxide into the air which can contribute to global warming and climate change.

Because leaves are often moist and burn without proper air circulation (those insidious smouldering fires that last all night!), they often burn poorly, producing high levels of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are chemicals that can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and can cause cancer in the long term.

We need to take protecting our air quality seriously. There are 7 billion people that we share this planet with, and we each need to make sure we are not part of the problem - dont be afraid of educating your neighbours on the impacts! The eco-friendly alternative of disposing leaves is to make compost. Use the compost to enrich your soil - your plants will love it.Burning leaves is illegal! You could be fined heavily by EMA (Environmental Management Agency).

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8The Zimbabwean Gardener

9The Zimbabwean Gardener

400 roses take gold!Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Kennaird for winning the NAGC Garden of the year for the

two acre and less category. Their rose filled garden was a delight to see when they opened it to the public in May.

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Garden feature

THe NAGC GArDeN COMPeTITION OF 2015

The NAGC held the garden competition in the beginning of the year - it was open to all

the public. The winners were as follows:

Best Waterwise garden: Mary Willcock

Best Garden 2 acres and less: Tie first between John Hibbert

and Jean and Norman Kennaird Best Garden 2 acres and more:

Kim MacDonald.

The winners kindly opened their gardens to the public in May,

which was a great inspiration for all to see a range of interesting

gardens and ideas.

Our garden, is 12 years old and was originally started by Norman and elisabeth, it is essentially an english country garden. Sadly, elisabeth passed away in 2006 and Norman was determined to keep the garden going in her memory. That is how I, Jean, became involved, by helping him to continue its development. Norman and I got married in 2012 and it is now our garden. Jean Kennaird.

Jean and Normans garden is the quintessential english garden with its roses and informal planting of mixed beds, which have been very well thought out. As the Kennairds mentioned, We have long discussions about what we are going to do next in the garden. This is not a hobby; they have created a piece of art.

Their romantic garden is hidden away in Mazowe, however, it was put on show to the public after they won the National Association of Garden Clubs (NAGC) Best Garden of 2015 in the two acres and less category, and tied first with John Hibbert. It was easy to see why they had won, as their garden flowed with colour in mixed beds brimming with a wide variety of hibiscus, duranta, fuchsias, colourful annuals and perennials, not forgetting the countless varieties of healthy and beautiful roses, over 400 to be exact. I think that in itself deserves a first place.

This garden is high maintenance and is not for the feint hearted, however, as Jean states, It would not be possible without the help of George and Graceford, our hard working gardeners. Looking after 400 roses itself seems a daunting

enough task to most, yet they have done a fantastic job as every bed is mulched, every plant glows with health, and as the judges noted, 99% of the garden seems disease free. They also have another challenge to contend with - the vervet monkeys, who think they grow vegetables especially for them.

They have many interesting features in their garden that lead you across their luscious sweeping lawn from one point to the next. A gazebo in the corner under a large Jacaranda gives you a total new look out point, from there you can take one of the many paths, leading you through the rose beds with mildew free Busy lizzies brightening up the borders of the rose gardens.

even the front of the house has been adorned with pots filled with roses, geraniums and verbena - not one bit of their garden has been neglected. every part and plant has been treated with just as much care as the next.

One feature that stood out in their garden was the duranta pyramid, which has been grown, maintained and pruned to perfection. The pyramid could be seen from every angle of the garden. After our wonderful morning of viewing their garden, it made its last appearance. As we turned around and said goodbye to the Kennairds, the light had given the duranta a unique halo.

Many thanks to Jean and Norman for sharing their wonderful garden with us.

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Garden feature

Propagation

1. I prefer to propagate echeveria, Pachyphytums and many species of the Crassula family by leaf cuttings.

2. First remove the mature, healthy leaves by pulling them out from the stem and then allow the wound to dry off for one day in a semi shaded place.

3. Prepare a seed tray with holes at the bottom and fill with half clean river sand and half compost.

4. Press holes into the medium and then press a quarter of the leaf into the medium.

5. Space the leaf cuttings about 2cms apart.6. Label the plant with name and date. 7. Put in a bright, warm place, keeping it slightly moist. 8. After a couple of months, when the leaves have rooted

and produced new plantlets, they are ready to plant out.

Propagating succulents with CosmasI have found that winter is the best time to propagate succulents because they prefer cooler conditions to send out roots. If you do them in summer, especially if outdoors, they may rot due to wet conditions.

Succulent leaf cuttings

Succulent rosette cuttings

Use this method when echeveria and Pachyphytums plants are becoming overcrowded with rosettes

1. Cut off a rosette with a clean knife from the mother plant, making sure you remove it with a fair amount of stem. Leave it for one or two days to dry off and callus.

2. Fill the pot or tray with clean river sand, making sure there are holes for drainage.

3. With a clean stick, the size of a pencil, make holes in the medium. Then, gently push a rosette cutting into a hole so it stands upright, not too deep as it may rot. Finally, firm the soil around.

4. After planting and labelling, put in a bright warm place and water twice a week ,initially, until roots are established.

5. After four to six weeks, roots will be formed and ready to plant out. Be careful not to over water them.

6. When they become overcrowded, it is time to propagate the rosettes again.

13

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The first thing to consider in the design process is the flow of water available and the size of the area to be irrigated. Generally in Harare, you will need a minimum constant flow of 2,000 litres per hour from your borehole to fully irrigate a half hectare garden. If you do not know the capacity of your borehole, you can measure it by timing how long it takes to fill a tank of known volume and calculating the flow in litres per hour. As the amount of water you have increases, the duration of irrigation will decrease. Do not become despondent if nature has not been kind to you, and you do not have a prolific borehole: you can get around this by collecting the water in a storage tank and then boosting it to the sprinklers with a booster pump.

In terms of the actual set up, the sprinklers should be positioned on a 12m x 12m grid throughout the garden and each sprinkler position will be assessed and a specific nozzle fitted depending on the area it services. The sprinklers are then grouped together into zones so that the total flow required for each zone does not exceed the flow of water available. An average garden will require up to 30 sprinklers, which would be divided between 6 and 10 zones each requiring roughly the same flow. If you have areas using micro jets or drip irrigation, these must have their own zones as the application rates of these systems are very different to pop up sprinklers.

The next step in the process is to establish a manifold of valves, one for each zone, within close proximity to the controller. A network of pipes must then be laid to service each zone. Once the entire system is connected, the controller

can be programmed to start at a specific time and it will open and close the valves, sequentially watering each zone at the specified time. This will allow for watering in the evening or early morning conveniently without any labour actually being needed.

If you fancy a practical demonstration, Driptech has working automatic systems at our Avondale and Glenara branches where our staff will gladly guide you through the functionality and setup of the system.

Driptech supplies all of the equipment required to sprinkle some happiness back into your garden, and if you feel adventurous and want to install it yourself we can help you in designing the perfect scheme for you. Alternatively, we can put you in touch with a contractor who will assist you.

14

Pot plants

ASPIDISTrA

What to choose?In Zimbabwe, we have a wide range of indoor plants of all shapes and sizes available at our local nurseries. Most indoor house plants available dont flower but have interesting shaped foliage. I love variegated leaves or palms; generally, there is a plant for everybody.

First of all, decide where you want to put a plant in your house so you will know the size and how much light it will receive. With this knowledge in hand, it is easier to find what you are looking for at a nursery.

Always ask your local nurseryman how large the plant will get and how much light it needs before you buy it.

Potting upGenerally, stones at the bottom help with drainage, then fill the pot up with a mixture of two parts good soil, and two parts potting soil or well rotted compost, and one part sand. However, different types of plants will need different ratios, for example, plants that need good drainage such as succulents and cacti do better in a sandier mix.

FeedingI like to feed my indoor plants with a mixture of one part worm leachate to ten parts of water once or twice

a month, from my little vermiculture set up outside my kitchen. However, if you dont have access to worm leachate, try a foliar feed, which are available at most nurseries.

CleaningDust can quickly build up on leaves. This isnt only unsightly but also prevents plants from growing properly. Clean with a piece of cotton wool or sponge dipped in water, preferably a soapy water to deter the aphids. Getting into a good cleaning routine also helps to keep an eye on disease such as mealy bug and scale, which can be easily removed whilst cleaning.

WateringMost houseplants are killed by overwatering. Try to get into a routine of watering your plants so you know when it should be done, rather than dousing them whenever you feel like giving them a bit of TLC. Aim to keep the soil moist but wait until it has almost dried out before rewatering.

Generally plants will need watering more during the spring and summer growing seasons, and less in winter when dormant. In summer, it is always a good idea to take your plants out the house and give them a good soaking do this once or twice a year.

Indoor plantsPot plants can add as much character to your house as a piece of furniture. Treat it with a bit of tender loving care and it will last longer than you think.

BeNJAMINAFICUS

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Pot plants

LightMost house plants need good indirect light. If they start to get spindly or leggy, it might mean that they need more light. Plants tend to turn their leaves and stems towards the light; turn them regularly to avoid uneven growth.

repottingWhen you start seeing roots coming out the base of the pot, or they need frequent watering and make little new growth even if you are feeding them correctly, it is time to repot the plant. When you remove the plant from the pot, tap it to remove the soil and then tease out any knotted roots. Finally, refill a larger pot with a new soil mix.

Keep it healthyA warm cosy house is a great place for pests to breed, so best keep an eye out for them. The most common pests you will find on house plants are mealy bug, scale, red spider and aphids. By cleaning the houseplants regularly with soapy water is the best and most natural way of controlling the pests - make sure you dont drench them though. There are both organic and non organic pesticides, which you can find at local nurseries. If you do need to spray your plants, it is best to take your plant outside to spray it - I would never advise spraying indoors.

Mildew, which is a whitish powder found on leaves, could be a sign of excessive watering, overcrowded plants or excessive humidity.

Just remember when you buy a plant, make sure it is healthy and not full of pests or diseases. Here are some other common symptoms showing ill health:

SPINDLY GrOWTHThis is due to a lack of light.

GeNerAL YeLLOWING Yellowing at the base of the plant, it is natural. However, if several yellow leaves fall, it could be due to one of these many factors: over watering, overfeeding, soil exhaustion, cold, aphids or red spider.

SUDDeN LeAF DrOPLeaves falling suddenly could be due to a sudden change of conditions

WILTINGThis can mean dryness at roots, excessive sun or waterlogged soil

Common hardy indoor pot plantsDelicious monsters BegoniasFluffy ruffles fern Asparagus sp fernsFicus benjamina AnthuriumAspidistra Hen and chickenPhilodendron SansevieriaDracaena SyngoniumDieffenbachia Kentia palm (Howea) Schefflera Succulents

Indoor plants for bathroomsHen and chicken Maidenhair fernPeace lily Christmas cactus

Indoor plants for kitchensPotted herbs on window sillsOrnamental chilliAfrican violet

Plants for the verandahCroton Chamaedorea palmAnd all of the hardy indoor pot plants above

ANTHUrIUM SANSevIerIA BeNJAMINAFICUS

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16

The Zimbabwean Gardener

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The Zimbabwean Gardener

A Great Zimbabwe Garden

18

The Zimbabwean Gardener

How does one describe a garden like this when it leaves you, not breathless, but totally speechless? This show stopper of a garden, which belongs to the MacDonald family, won the NAGC Garden of the year for the category: two acres and more garden.

Kim Macdonald, a carpenter by trade and a creative and fun man by nature, has only recently become a gardening addict and is especially hooked on aloes, succulents and bromeliads. Unbelievably, he has turned around this garden in 14 months, yes just 14 months! Now I feel neither the beginner nor the green fingered gardeners have any excuses in achieving the dream garden. Admittedly, there was a good basic foundation to the garden before he started. However, when the Aloe and Cactus Society visited his garden 14 months ago, they came armed with a variety of plants, which kick-started his enthusiasm for gardening. Since then, he has nearly bought out every Aloe and Cactus Society sale, every bromeliad seller and much more to create an exuberant, lush and intriguing tropical garden.

With all his enthusiasm and creativity, he has designed the ideal garden, which is full of different nooks and crannies. every little space has its own character, accessible via the countless paths that lead you across bridges, over the raised delicious monster walk way, past a waterfall streaming down a proud granite rock and even up to his small recreation of The Great Zimbabwe ruins hidden very majestically at the back of his house. I walked around his garden three or four times to make sure I had taken every path, examined every view, yet there was always something new to discover.

With wonderful towering trees, Kim has used a lush collection of shade-loving exotic plants beneath them adding to the wonderful jungle-like feel. You really feel as though you are on an expedition. After trekking through the jungle, you come out to an opening of a large granite rock, which Kim calls the drier side and has used beautiful aloes and succulents to adorn it. Walking up the slight hill, alongside the rock, you are welcomed by the miniature version of Great Zimbabwe a great way to end the expedition! Besides using aloes as architectural features, he has left this place very natural as it fits in so well with the surrounding granite rocks, making it feel like this is the real thing.

One feature that complimented everything was the colour of the exterior of their house: cement. I dont think this would work for any old house, but it has for the Macdonalds as it blends in with the surrounding granite rocks. Kim has used his carpentry skills to embellish the house with beautiful wooden windows. But above all, as the house melts into the background, the garden becomes the hero, and I cant think of a more perfect way to end this story!

Congratulations to the MacDonalds for your much deserved win and thank you for letting us view your wonderful garden.

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The Zimbabwean Gardener

20

Flowers in the home

Inspiration and help from the gardenBy kirsty Jean

It is amazing what beautiful plants you can find, even if in a garden with little or no water.

21

Flowers in the home

Many of our indigenous plants that we grow in our gardens have such sculptural beauty and can be added to any arrangement. Dont be afraid to incorporate them with bought flowers to add interest to floral arrangements in your home.

The coffee tableEcheveria from my garden, in a vintage style pot, next to a vase of King Proteas I purchased, might sound so simple, yet it makes quite a statement! I went a step further by grouping objects with the arrangements - if you do this, make sure you use the same tones as the furniture or art pieces used around the room. For example, I have picked tones to compliment this beautiful blue Olly French painting in the background and the colourful cushions placed on the couch, creating a colourful story.

The hallwayThe hallway in my home has beautiful upcycled furniture my sister made. I did a petite flower arrangement to compliment the feel of the room, using purple and white roses and for my foliage, I used what I could find from the garden: echeveria, small airplants, the Balloon plant (Gomphocarpus physocarpus), as well as, a variety of ferns to give it a softer and more romantic look. If you are going for a more romantic look, use softer, airier and smaller looking flowers or foliage in the arrangement, such as Limonium, ferns, or Babys breath.

TipSometimes your echeveria may have short stumpy stems; to create a longer stem so it is easier to use in the arrangement, use a long piece of wire and attach it to the stem with florist tape.

KING PROTEAS ECHEvERIA

BALLOON PLANT AIR PLANT

22

Flowers in the home

The dining room tableTo go with the rustic feel I was aiming for, a carpenter whipped up this simple box for my arrangement. This box is ideal as it sweeps across the table, making the arrangement low enough for people to see each other without having to weave your head around the arrangement to have a conversation.

For the table arrangement, I used a variety of succulents, ferns and air plants to create texture and visual interest in my arrangement. The only flowers that I bought were two bunches of roses and a touch of Limonium, to soften the whole look. To complete the table setting, I found beautiful objects all available in Zimbabwe: a beautiful vintage print cloth to use as a table cloth and subtle silvery- grey beaded table mats.

The must haveThe Lace fern, Asparagus setaceus, is an ideal plant to grow in your garden as you use it in a wide range of arrangements or even to make corsages with the help of green floral tape.

Where to buy It PAINTINGS by Olly French 0772 206 874 UP-CYCLED FURNITURE (Coffee Table, Chairs, little 2-drawer cupboard) Kisses For Jack 0772 289 559CUSHIONS fromThe GalleryFABRIC FOR OTHER CUSHIONS from SassafrasTABLE CLOTH FABRIC from Parade Fabrics MsasaGLASS vASES some were bought from Dusk HomeALL OTHER vASES from Kirsty Jean Flowers and HiringNAOMI WHITE ROSES from Pistachios BorrowdaleKING PROTEAS from Floribunda

We design flowers and table decor for weddings and functions, from large corporate launches to small, intimate Kitchen Teas or Hens parties. We have a large variety of stock available for hire, with our website coming out soon. Please check out our Facebook page (Kirsty Jean Flowers and Decor)to see our previous functions and weddings.

kirstyjeanbenning@gmail.com 0772 289 557

LIMONIUM LACE FERN

23

The Zimbabwean Gardener

24

The nature garden

Create a winter refuge for birds, butterflies and beesBy Lindsay Charters

The nature garden

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This old adage can be applied to your garden when planning to make it a haven for birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.

If youd like to establish a garden with thriving populations of birds and butterflies, youll need to establish food sources and breeding habitats for them, as well as, all the other members of the food chain. Birds and butterflies are part of a complex, inter-dependent web that includes plants, insects, worms, bacteria, fungi, reptiles, mammals and more. The weakening or destruction of one link will have a ripple effect across the system.

No more toxic chemicalsMost importantly, avoid using toxic chemicals in your garden as they will be incorporated into the food chain, doing untold damage down the line.

The winter garden pantryOne of the most important ways of ensuring you are creating a garden that birds and other species will become resident and breed in (as opposed to visiting occasionally); is to include a wide variety of plants that will provide nectar, seeds, fruit and breeding habitat in the winter and early spring months. Many of the plants commonly known as bird or butterfly attracters are summer/ autumn flowering and it can take a bit of planning to ensure you have some winter flowering plants that feed wildlife as well as looking pretty.

Winter staplesBUTTerFLIeS, BeeS AND SUNBIrDSAloes and succulents are at their best in winter with vibrant flowers that contain rich nectar supplies. Heliotrope flowers throughout winter, providing your butterflies with nectar and you with a sweet, heady smell.

CArPeNTer BeeS These are often mistakenly called bumble bees and are essential pollinators for many food crops like granadillas, aubergines, peas and tomatoes. Winter-flowering Plectranthus species and Anisodontea scabrosa (Cape Mallow) will also keep them buzzing.

HONeY BeeS Lavender is a winter staple for honey bees but most people prune their lavender in July, leaving no flowers for the bees. To avoid that, prune some of your bushes in two week intervals from the beginning of June until the end of July.

FOOD FOr THe BIrDSInsects and worms form the basis of many small birds diets. To keep the birds, your garden must play host to a variety of beetles and bugs. To do this:Keep all bare soil covered in a thick layer of dead leaves that will provide insects with a good breeding ground. Keep your worm populations going through the cold months by applying compost regularly to provide them with food and to maintain vital soil moisture levels.

Top TipMany bird species will select a nesting site in the winter months plant shrubs and trees that encourage nesting.

Super food sourcesThese super food sources are not only wildlife attractors, but are also indigenous and water-wise:

Ruttya fruticosa (Jammy Mouth)The red or yellow flowers last on the bush until mid-winter and they attract butterflies, carpenter bees and sunbirds. The seeds feed a wide variety of birds and last on the bush well into spring. The dense branches are very popular nesting sites for small garden birds.

Clerodendron ugandese (Oxford and Cambridge)Their blue and white flowers that last well into winter attract many different species of butterflies and carpenter bees. Small fleshy fruit feed the birds all through the lean months.

Phoenix reclinata (Wild date palm)This indigenous palm is a valuable addition to any garden: the seeds feed many birds through winter and spring and the leaves provide birds with material to build nests in preparation for spring. Insects also live and breed in the stumps of dead leaves.

Dont let them go thirstyProvide the wildlife and insects in your garden with a reliable source of water. Install birdbaths or ponds in different areas of the garden and make sure they are kept topped up. In the dry season, birds and bees will come to rely on the water sources you provide and can become stranded if you let them dry up.

Keep it cosyButterflies need to warm up in the morning sun before they are able to fly. To remain active they need as much warmth as possible in winter. Plant butterfly-attracting shrubs and flowers in north-facing beds that get full sun from the early morning onwards. Butterflies are also attracted to flowers planted in areas sheltered from the chilly winter wind.

Lizards and skinks help control insect pests in the garden and provide a food source for small raptors. They are cold-blooded reptiles that bask in the morning sun to warm up before their muscles can work fast enough to enable them to scuttle out of harms way. Build a rockery with some large, flat rocks, set in soil (not concrete) or place some large rocks in a flowerbed in a spot that receives winter morning sun and the lizards will come!

LINDSAY

0772 573 489lindsay@thegardenclub.co.zw

www.thegardenclub.co.zw

25

26

By Gill Olivey and Sally Meikle

A weekly and monthly garden guide to help beginner gardeners or for those who like a routine to see what gardening chores should be done this winter

The winTer guiDe

The weeKly rouTineUse this as a guideline to see what you should be doing on a weekly basis. You can change the days to suit you or add other tasks. Where it says monthly task, do a task on the opposite page according to the month.

everYDAY

MOrNINGFeed animals and fill water bowls, put away beddingWater and deadhead pot plants, hanging baskets and clean up lawn.remove garbage from house and recycle cans, bottles, plastic and paperSwitch on pumps for pools or water features. Clean swimming pool

eveNINGSwitch off pool pumps.Clean garden tools and lock away.roll up hosepipe and cover.Provide protection at night from frost to newly planted shrubs and trees

MONDAY

Weed and mulch veggie garden, water if necessary.Feed annuals, pot plants and veggies where necessaryCollect vegetables.Backwash pool, weekly dose of alginate late afternoon.MonThly TASK

TUeSDAYClean outside verge.Sweep driveway.Weed front lawn.Tidy shrubs and hedges

WeDNeSDAYSpray annuals, veggies or any plants where necessary before it gets too hot. Mulch beds to protect roots of tender plants from frost and cold as well as to retain moisture.Weed back lawn.

THUrSDAY Mow the lawn, trim edges, rake up grass and add to compost pile.Water veggie garden if necessary and collect vegetables

FrIDAYremove faded flowers. Wash carsTidy garden shed and make note of fertilisers, chemicals, tools needed

TIPS

Do not put dog faeces and cooked food on the compost heap.As the days get cooler, mow less frequently and not too low.Lawns, aerate using a large metal fork and comb the lawn once a month. Mow if necessary.From June dont water in the afternoons to prevent frost-burn.Turn and water your compost well monthly.

What to do

27

What to do

JUNe

roses, reduce the quantity and frequency of watering. remove spent blooms, but keep as much leaf on the plant as possible. Cut down fertilising and spraying your roses as well.

Fruit trees. Citrus are evergreen, therefore require water every 3 weeks throughout the year. Prune away dead wood to reduce disease. Thin out fruit if the branches appear to be overladen.

Towards the end of the month start to prune deciduous fruit trees. Shape young trees to obtain a cup shaped frame and strong branches. Feed, mulch basins and water well.

veggie Garden. Feed and mulch beds. Watch out for aphids in your brassicas. Protect peas from the birds and also stake the plants. Pick peas regularly to encourage more flowers. Cover cauliflower heads with 3 leaves to protect from the sun and to keep the heads white.

veGGie seedlinGsBeetroot, broad beans,

broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, leeks, onions, peas, rape,

radishes, Swiss chard.annUal seedlinGs

Alyssum, antirrhinum, cineraria, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus,

foxglove, larkspur, lobelia, pansy, penstemon, phlox, primula, Sweet William,

verbena and viola.

JULY

Continue to feed annuals and bulbs once a fortnight with a liquid fertiliser or ZFC Best Bloom. Water them once a week.

There is still time to plant out lilium bulbs and gladiolii. Its also a good time to give all Irises a dressing of superphosphates, mulch with compost and water well.

Stop watering your roses 4 to 6 weeks before they are pruned. roses are best pruned towards the end of the month or early August.

The majority of climbers and shrubs, if overgrown, can be pruned at the end of the month, removing dead wood, thin straggly stems and creating the desired shape. Dig in compost, feed, mulch and water well. Delay pruning in very cold gardens until August to prevent frost damage to tender new growth.

Cover cauliflower heads by folding 3 leaves over the head to keep the head white. Check them periodically to look for pests lurking undercover!

veGGie seedlinGsBeetroot, broccoli, cabbages, carrots,

cauliflower, lettuce, leeks, peas, rape and Swiss

chard.

annUal seedlinGsAlyssum, antirrhinum, delphinium, dianthus,

foxglove, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, petunia

and viola.

AUGUST

When the weather warms up, give your shrubs and perennials, an application of fertiliser (vegefert) and compost, then mulch and water well. Cut back poinsettias by two-thirds when they have finished blooming.

When all danger of frost is past, cut back fuchsias by two-thirds, removing long and straggly stems.

roses, if you didnt prune last month, prune at the beginning of August. After pruning, apply fertiliser, add compost and decomposed manure into the soil. Mulch generously, then water. To protect the new young shoots from disease, apply a full cover spray with a broad-spectrum fungicide.

Perennials, this is a good time to divide large clumps and replant the young plants in freshly composted soil. Otherwise trim old leaves and stems of perennials. Fork in compost and fertilise, water thoroughly. Daylilies to be fed with manure and fertiliser, then water well.

veGGie seedlinGsBush and runner beans,

broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, celery,

lettuce, potatoes, rape, Swiss chard and spring onions. When warmer

plant tomatoes, brinjals and peppers.

annUal seedlinGsAlyssum, begonia (in

warmer areas), coleus, bedding dahlia, lobelia,

marigold, carpet petunias (good rain tolerance),

portulaca, salvia and viola.

Trees shrubs roses Grass pluGs, Flower & VeGeTable seedlinGs

The Corner of Alpes rd and Calgary Close (opp Wingate Golf Course)Cosmas 0772 382 081 Gill 0772 301 440

MonThly TASKSAccording to the season and temperature, tasks will change every month. The task list also shows you what vegetable and annual seedlings you should be planting that month. Keep up to date with this list and your garden will be over flowing with colour and vegetables.

The veggie garden

WHAT TO PLANT IN WINTer

The following crops can be grown throughout this period: brassicas, lettuce, carrots, Swiss chard.

From August, grow tomatoes, capsicums, potatoes and cucurbits.

IN THe veGGIe GArDeN

EmErald sEEdlings We offer a wide range of vegetable seedlings.Emerald Seedlings, Alpes Rd, TeviotdaleVegetable seedlings office 0772 326 446seedling@zol.co.zw

this winterB y A n d y R o B e R t s

JuneLeTTUCe

Heading or iceberg type lettuces can be grown year-round on the highveld. In very hot months, such as October and November bolting (flowering) may occur.

BeD PrePArATIONLettuces can be grown successfully in all types of soils. They require little fertiliser so be wary of over-fertilising especially on heavy soils. Use 50g per m2 of vegefert as a basal dressing. Plant seedlings 30cm apart. Apply 5g (a teaspoon) of AN per plant 3 weeks after emergence if not using manure. Dont water stress. Mulch well once plants have established. Spraying is not necessary in winter.

The smaller fancy lettuces, which dont produce heads, can be grown at a much higher density; space 15cm apart. Harvest before they produce stems by which stage they may taste bitter.

TIPThere are only so many lettuces the family will eat! Plant the iceberg lettuces every two weeks in winter, as they can be held in the field for about two weeks at this time of year.

JulyPeAS

BeD PrePArATIONPeas perform well on fertile, heavy soils but can be grown successfully on lighter soils if a lot of compost is used. Apply 10g of vegefert for each seed to be planted and mix well in. Seeds are directly sown between 1 and 2 cm deep, 15cm in the row and rows 40cm apart. Keep damp and use a light mulch to aid germination. Not all peas need to be staked; read the label on the packet. Sow 2 seeds per station and weed out the weaker plant.

Apply a good mulch three weeks after germination. Also apply 5g of AN at 3 weeks and every 3 weeks thereafter whilst the plants are healthy.

PrOBLeMSPowdery mildew (white powdery layer on the underside of the leaf) will be a problem. Spray Folicur at 5ml in 10 litres water and add a few drops of dishwasher to assist wetting the leaves. Allow a seven day pre-harvest interval.

TIPWhen spraying there is no need to soak the plant; it just wastes chemicals. Stop just before the mix drips off the leaf.

AugustBUTTerNUT SqUASH

BeD PrePArATIONPre-fertilise with 20g per plant of vegefert and mix well in. 5g of gypsum per seed should also be mixed in. Use plenty of compost if growing on a sandy soil. Sow seed 1cm deep and space 40cm apart (two hand spans). Apply 5g of AN at three weeks, then six and nine weeks after emergence. Use a very light mulch until three weeks after germination. A heavy mulch is beneficial but take care not to cover the leaves.

PrOBLeMSThe cucurbits are susceptible to powdery mildew which if not treated will kill the plant. The name is descriptive; look for a powdery layer, usually on the underside of the leaf. Spray Twist at 12g in 10 litres of water with a wetter (dishwasher). Do not spray within 7 days of harvest.

Spider mites can be a problem. Look closely on the lower side of the leaf, you may need a hand lens to spot them. Spray Dynamec/abamectin at 2ml per litre. Allow a pre-harvest interval of 7 days.

DAYS TO HArveST120

DAYS TO HArveST90 -110

DAYS TO HArveST60 - 70

COMPOUND FerTILISer MeASUreMeNTS APPrOxIMATIONS

Teaspoon = 5gWine bottle top = 10gTablespoon = 35gStandard cup 200ml = 250g

29

The Zimbabwean Gardener

BOND ST CNR MOUNT PLEASANT SHOPSTHE CHASE, HARARETEL: +263 4 336373/9

POMONA SHOPPING CENTRESHOP NO 3BORROWDALE, HARARETEL: +263 4 882200

EMAIL: bilsan@zol.co.zw EMAIL: biff@yoafrica.com

Braised Beef Short rib Stew

This delicious stew is a perfect winter dish.

Braising is a style of cooking with both dry and moist heats. Usually the meat is seared at a high temperature, then cooked at a lower temperature in a covered pot, usually with liquids and selected ingredients to complete the cooking process.

Braising is an excellent way to cook tougher, more affordable cuts of meat. It relies on heat, moisture and time to tenderise the tougher fibres common in meats such as brisket, blade, shin and short ribs.

Cooking using pressure cookers, slow cookers and crockpots are examples of braising. This months recipe is best prepared a day before it is to be eaten. It also freezes well, and lends itself to your own personal touches, such as a bit of chilli or a selection of your favourite herbs and/or spices.

Prep Time: 30 minutesCook Time: 210 minutesServes 6 generous portions

ingredients

3 kg beef short ribs with bones2 large onions, peeled3 large carrots, peeled4 large celery stalks4 cloves garlic, peeled3 bay leavesFresh thyme sprigs1 can diced tomatoes2 litres beef stock1 cup red wineSalt and ground black pepper to taste

Method

1. Preheat oven to 150C. 2. quarter the onions, and chop the

celery and carrots into 2cm chunks. 3. Dry the ribs and generously

season them with salt.4. Heat a small amount of oil in

a large pot until its smoking hot. Brown the beef well on all sides over a high heat. Do this in batches, as the ribs wont brown as well if the pan is too crowded. remove the ribs and set aside.

5. reduce the heat and add the carrot, celery, onion and garlic. Saut in the resulting beef juices for a few minutes until slightly browned.

6. Add the wine and use a spoon to loosen all the dark, flavoursome bits from the bottom of the pan.

7. Add the can of tomatoes, bay leaves, a couple of thyme sprigs and the browned beef.

8. Add the stock. If theres not enough liquid to cover the meat, add water until the ribs are just covered.

9. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring to boil, then cover with a tightly fitting lid and transfer the pot to the oven.

10. Allow the meat to braise for 3 hours without interruption of the cooking process.

11. Add the carrots and braise for a further 30 minutes.

12. remove the pot from oven; let it rest for 20 minutes, then serve. The meat may have fallen off the bone, but thats what makes it tender and tasty.

options

When youre adding the carrots this is a good time to add extra vegetables to your meat. Suggestions include mushrooms (sliced and lightly fried), peas, beans and lentils.

If you want to thicken the gravy, then spoon a little of the stews liquid into a bowl. Add a couple of tablespoons of flour, corn flour or mushroom soup powder and mix well to remove all the lumps. Stir it back into the stew.

When cooking your stew in a pressure cooker or a slow cooker, remember to adjust your cooking times and the amount of liquid you use. A pressure cooker will generally cook your meal in one third of the time it would take on the stove or in the oven, while a slow cooker will take three times longer. Because liquids do not evaporate the way they do in an oven or stove, the amount of stock can be reduced.

BillyS MeATS

30

Indigenous trees

The Natal Mahogany By Ant Fynn

What would one look for in the almost ideal indigenous tree for your garden? Probably a large tree that is attractive, fast growing, provides good shade, is evergreen, and good for birds and insects. The Natal Mahogany fulfills all of this and more.

The Trichilia emetica, commonly known the Natal Mahogany, has been one of the most popular indigenous trees for many years and deservedly so. In fact many people do not realise that it is indigenous.

DescriptionMature trees can reach a height of 15 to 20 metres, with a lovely rounded shape. Being evergreen, they provide good shade all year round and make a good shade tree in the garden too. Their flowers, which are smallish and white, are very popular with bees and other insects. The fruit is a greenish capsule which splits when ripe to show the 2 to 3 seeds inside. The seeds are very attractive, being black and almost covered by a fleshy red aril. It has separate male and

female plants, so both male and female trees need to be grown if fruit and seed are required

Where to find themIt is found principally in the lower lying areas of our country, and often along river banks. readers familiar with Mana Pools would have seen the Natal Mahoganies along the banks of the Zambezi, which remain large and dark and handsome all year round. Unfortunately, many of them are slowly falling into the river nowadays, due to the erosion of river banks.

A tree for allBirds love the seeds and hornbills, in particular, are very fond of them. Long-tailed Starlings and Plum-coloured Starlings are also partial to them, often at a time when there is not much other fruit around. The shape of their side branches makes them very popular with Paradise Flycatchers as nesting trees. As they age, the soft wood from the odd dead branch attracts Barbets and Woodpeckers, who make their holes in these branches. So a great all round tree.

31

Indigenous trees

Increase your birdlife with planned indigenous trees.

Contact Ant Fynn0772956511

fynn@zol.co.zw

Larger animals are also very dependent on the Natal Mahogany at times, and eland in particular browse them in preference to almost anything else. At Mana, an exact browse line can be seen at eland height such that the trees look as though they have been cut in a straight line underneath.

Growing The Natal Mahogany grows easily from seed, but must be used fresh as they will perish. Germinated seeds can often be seen under the parent tree, although these seldom make it to maturity. When conditions are right and they are well watered, the growth rate is about a metre a year and it starts to canopy at about four years.

The magical seedsThe seeds are often pounded then boiled to extract the oil. This organic and non-poisonous oil has a variety of uses still to this day:

Moisturises the skin and used in the manufacturing of soap.*

It has shown to have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be used to heal stressed muscles and rheumatism.*

It has insect antifeedants properties*, which means it is a chemical agent that causes an insect, to stop eating and growing. It can be used to repel black ants around the home . You can buy a bottle of the oil for $3 to get rid of black ants from The Honey Store at Maasdorp Market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. A natural wood and leather polish is also available with the oil at $8.

If you have access to the seeds, they can be used as a

natural repellant in the garden due to their antifeedant properties, especially to kill cutworm. To make a spray, crush the seeds then boil them; the cooled off boiled water can be used as an organic insect repellant spray and the boiled crush seeds as a mulch, which will also act as a repellant.

*Gericke N, van Wyk Be, 2007, van Oudtshoorn B, Medicinal Plants of South Africa, 1997, pg 260.

32

Climate change

Climate Change - what is this thing you speak of?

Climate change is one of those terms often thrown about these days by scientists and politicians. Like blue sky thinking and squaring the circle, is it just another example of meaningless terminology used by people in the biz to make the rest of us feel frightened and outside the circle of trust? Well, actually no! This one has got real backbone! Climate change (unlike global warming) doesnt imply either positive or negative connotations. Its simply stating that the climate is changing. But what does that mean?

vast evidence, from NASA and the royal Geographic Society, has shown that human beings are unequivocally responsible for altering the global climate. The science behind this has to do with green house gases (or GHG for those who need more acronyms in their lives). The earths atmosphere is what regulates our temperature on this

blissful planet. Without an atmosphere, we would have a climate more akin to the moon. On the moons surface, the temperature can reach highs of 100C and at night, it can plunge to minus 173C. Basically, our incredible atmosphere acts as a blanket, or greenhouse - hence the term GHG. It regulates our temperature in the same way wrapping a duvet around yourself would keep you warm. But things are changing, as the tog factor of our duvet is increasing and we are starting to get that uncomfortable sweat on.

Human activities, most notably the burning of fossil fuels, have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations by more than 40% in the last 150 years, with more than half of that increased since 1970. Carbon sequestration (now theres a word that will make you sound cool in the office) is the storing of atmospheric carbon. This can be done by a tree which traps carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, or by plankton (Fact 101: did you know that the oceans provide up to 60% of our oxygen and act as a big carbon sink?) to name but two. We humans have double whammied ourselves by removing a lot of trees that sequester carbon, and simultaneously burning their long lost relatives releasing millennia of sequestered carbon back into the atmosphere. Weve also bred ourselves into a population explosion. In 1950, the world had 2.5 billion people; and in 2005, the world had 6.5 billion people. By 2050, this number could rise to more than 9 billion. Basically weve cranked up the heater and shut the windows in a severely overcrowded commuter omnibus thats parked in the Zambezi valley, nowhere near a mahobohobo tree, during suicide month.

Turn off the tap when

you are brushing

your teeth.

Check your tyre pressure weekly to save fuel and

your tyres.

Dont panic, put a brick in your cistern! By Kari Olivey and Sarah Whaley

33

Climate change

how will it affect Zimbabwe?

By 2100 summer mean temperatures are projected to increase by at least 1C and up to 4C in southern Africa, and our rainfall is projected to decrease by 5 to 10%.*

*Dr. K Waha, research Scientist in research Domain, Climate impact and vulnerabilities.

Basically, we are in for a hotter and drier climate. So sunnier days and less rainfall mean more gin and tonics, right? Possibly, but gin can get you depressed, however, wait till its coupled with decreasing food production, decimated rural livelihoods and limited access to that all important clean glass of water to flush that bitter hangover away. Thankfully, tonic gives a decent dose of quinine, because youll need it with the spread of malaria to previously unaffected areas.

Our current maize production falls short of supplying the national demand. In 2013, we imported 500,000 tonnes. Whilst 2014 saw a reduction in grain imports, the prediction for the coming season is bleak due to below average rainfall*. These climatic changes are impacting food security already. This isnt a what if scenario anymore.

*http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/country.jsp?code=ZWe

For those buying water already, the problem is obvious. But what happens when we cant even buy this essential life giving resource? In South Africa in 2010, drought drove

a desalination project utilising the only reliable water source in the Cape - the ocean. Here in Zimbabwe, were a bit tight for oceans. We are already depleting our ground water stores with wanton abandonment to the borehole gods. Cholera outbreaks have been all too frequent in the last decade, highlighting our fragility and dependence on oversubscribed water works. Harare was initially designed to support a population of 300,000; there are now over 3 million people in the capital and its surroundings. In Kenya, they have already banned boreholes in the rift valley, whilst further afield in Australia in certain states, it is impossible to build a new home without a rain harvesting collection system, and water saving shower heads and toilets. So, do we wait for legislation to determine how we run our lives?

So, shouldnt the government do something about it?

The 2012 Zimbabwe Millennium Development Goals progress report stated that in order to achieve environmental sustainability they recommended informing key government institutions on various climate change or environmental issues. Well, information is king, but if the government was still uninformed as of 2012, then there hasnt been much time to action quantifiable change. And, should it be their problem, or is it all of ours? Perhaps a combination of both. More urgently, we need to consider the future generations. We need to ask ourselves what price will children have to pay for the three or four carbon-happy generations that preceded them. This affects each and every one of us with children or grandchildren.

Buy local

products where

possible!

34

Climate change

SolutionsThis is how you come in. Small changes made by every person result in dramatic differences. An average four-person household can save nearly 11,000 litres of water a year by simply placing a brick in their toilet cisterns. Here are some ideas for you to start with:

Be CliMaTe liTeraTeFirstly, become informed. Being climate literate means you can make well informed, individual actionable decisions that impact your community and future generations positively.

ChanGes aT hoMeMake changes at home - see the list of ideas for what you can do. We all know that watering the verge is a big no no these days, but what about adopting more sustainable gardening practices? Using water wise techniques such as mulching and planting appropriate species is an easy win, and improves your production and soil quality. These widespread techniques are easy to learn and implement. Consider what you can grow to eat. This can save you money on shopping, energy on transport to the shops, and also reduces your carbon footprint with less demand on national food supply.

edUCaTeSpread your knowledge with those who are likely to be less informed and help educate them about small things that make a big difference, such as using compost in your garden as it retains moisture better. You can make learning fun for kids too, by utilising a plethora of resources and

websites, such as NASAs Climate Kids (http://climatekids.nasa.gov).

Green Up yoUr professional lifeexpecting corporates to plant trees as part of Corporate Social responsibility programmes doesnt negate your responsibility for being green in the office. Consider your transport to work, use of energy (air conditioners, leaving lights on overnight etc), water usage and paper consumption. The opportunities are as limited as your imagination.

CoMMUniTy BasedGet together with your community to green up your area. everything from recycling schemes to cooperative gardening can make a difference. Or take it a step further and get involved with organisations that are trying to protect your environment. The Zimbabwe Wetland Survival Forum is actively campaigning to protect precious wetlands that are essential for the water supply. How can you get involved and support these organisations? It doesnt have to cost you anything other than a bit of time and support. Just turning up can lead to dramatic policy shifts from those responsible for planning and legislation.

ideas to combat and adapt to climate changeHow many activities do you already do on the table on the right? Are you climate savvy already, or still supporting the GnT movement? Try to implement as many of these into your daily lifestyle, share with your friends or your neighbours. Be Zimbabwean and make a plan!

never leave

your soil bare.

Mulch it or plant

something!

Plant a tree.

Then hug it!

even better, plant

a fruit tree.

35

Climate change

Make compost to utilise veggie scraps and improve

your soil condition. Compost helps retain water and will improve vegetable

production.

Test your soil before you water your garden beds;

take a trowel and dig down a little to see how much

moisture there is.

Take the pressure off our

underground water and

implement a rain harvesting system.

Use your bath water to water the garden or put a bucket in the shower with

you. even better, get a grey water system set up to

water your garden.

put a brick in the toilet cistern. actually dont!

Bricks can erode over time damaging your plumbing,

but using a full plastic bottle does the same job.

Stop watering your verge!

Start designing a water wise one.

only fill the kettle with as much water as you need for a cuppa!

alternatively, if youve over boiled, then pop it in a flask

for the next one.

Get into good water saving habits at home by turning off the tap when you are brushing your teeth and

washing your car and pets on the lawn.

Cook and shop in bulk. This reduces packaging

and saves energy. handy frozen meals are at the

ready when you dont feel like making a meal from

scratch.

Buy local products, with the least packaging. Buy

fresh food instead of frozen, which use up to 10 times

more energy.

start a vegetable garden or plant vegetables and herbs

amongst ornamentals if you dont fancy a designated

veggie patch.

Plant a tree. Then hug it! even better,

plant a fruit tree.

Cook at home instead of buying takeaways - saves

fuel, plastic packaging and

gym fees.

save energy and electricity at home. as your light

bulbs go, replace them with energy saving bulbs. pull

chargers from the wall and turn off unused appliances.

Water lawns less frequently. This encourages roots to grow down deep into the soil, and can reduce the frequency of mowing.

Wrap your geyser in a blanket. This will save you

money by reducing your energy requirements and usually means you have

a hot shower even with a power cut!

allocate space to your domestic staff to grow

their own food. help them understand our climate

change.

Be a leak detective! Check plumbing for leaks and

replace washers. one drip every second adds

up to 19 litres of wasted water a day!

Carry a reusable water bottle to

stop you buying one everywhere

you go.

Watering your garden should be done either first thing in the morning or last

thing in the afternoon to reduce evaporation. Water the garden, not the paving.

even better, implement a drip irrigation system.

reuse plastic bags or take your own bags shopping.

every time youve unpacked pop the bags straight in the boot to reduce that Gosh,

darn, i forgot!

never leave your soil bare.

Mulch it or plant something!!

pull out the pressure cooker. This can reduce energy consumption by 70%!

always cover your cooking pots with lids. reuse the

water from cooking to start nutritious soups.

recycle your waste whenever possible. Drop

off at local recycling points.

Defrost the freezer to

maintain its efficiency.

reduce the amount of lawn in the garden and plant

shrubs or groundcovers. Buy indigenous and

water wise species.

Washing day doesnt have to be every day; only wash when you have a full load. do your washing on sunny days so you dont need to

use a tumble drier.

Buy a dual flush toilet

and then use it properly!

CoMBAT AnD ADAPT To CliMATe ChAnge

36

Chickens

Chickens for eggsDeciding it was time I got chickens, I thought best I find out the basics of looking after chickens to get my own fresh eggs!

Growing up on a farm, we had a chicken run at the back of the vegetable garden, however, I wish I could paint a pretty memory about collecting the eggs, but what I can remember is that the entrance had a mangled gate making it nearly impossible to get in, the run was smelly and a banded cobra was found a few times in a tree closeby every little girls nightmare. I found it safer to brush down the bulls in the evening with my Grandpa than collecting eggs. Many years later, I am now pondering on the idea of finally becoming that egg collecting girl. But, as I paid little to no attention on how to look after the chooks, I literally feel I have to start from scratch, and ask friends, family and people in the know-how what I have to do to have healthy happy, stink free chickens that produce great eggs and save a bit of money as it costs 10 cents to produce eggs at home and 18 cents per egg in the supermarket.

Is it legal to have chickens in town?I finally found out through a reliable source and after countless unanswered calls to the council and eMA that we are allowed 35 chickens in a home in the suburbs. I am not interested in producing them as a business, but just enough to get a few eggs a day. However, 35 chickens is a good number for a small sustainable income, earning a maximum of $85 a month.

Chicks or chickens?I must say getting day-old chicks sounds adorable, I might just learn how to love them more. Unfortunately, that is not the way to go unless you are a hardcore businessman and can afford to feed them until they start laying at 20 to 24 weeks. Furthermore, you need to purchase the necessary vaccinations, which are not generally sold in smaller units for the general public. Chicks also suffer from the cold so you need more equipment to keep them warm all winter through. So, a chicken it is! Apparently, I need to get my hands on some point of lays.

The term point of lay means that they are on verge of point of laying. It is important to understand that when receiving the birds that if the producer has done their job correctly, they will be delivering the birds prior to any proper egg formation within the birds uterus, thus alleviating the risk of prolapse, which could kill the bird.

Generally, the birds will be between 17 to 19 weeks old on collection and will take approximately 3 to 5 weeks to come into lay dependant on the season, so winter takes a little longer then summer. The birds will start laying at a lower percentage to start with, but as they mature the percentage

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Chickens

output will increase and you should be able to get as high as 90% output from the bird i.e. 35 birds @ 90% = 32 eggs a day, and as they get older this will gradually decline to about 70 to 75%.

The different types of Brown breeds, Hyline and H&N, are the main egg producers in Zimbabwe, for both small and large scale producers. The one thing to note is that when point of lays start laying, they are generally very productive, generally producing an average of 85 % output per month so 25 eggs per lay per month. Generally, the economically viable production cycle lasts 70 weeks. After the 70 weeks, when they are around 90 weeks old, they will be laying at approximately 70%, which means they are effectively paying for their own feed, not making it viable. That is the best time to get rid of them

Where do I buy point-of-lays?There are a few places around that sell them but I have been told to watch out for the dodgy sellers who are likely to sell you a chook that is a bit past her prime. Novatek animal feeds sell the Hyline Brown, at $12 per bird and are fully vaccinated. They stock every poultry requirement that you may need, to bedding material to the food. If you do order, remember most places have a waiting time between two and four weeks.

Whats the best chicken coop to have?CHICKeN TerMINOLOGYBefore I rattle on, let me just get the terminology down first. A coop is a house for hens where they lay their eggs, and a chicken run is an outdoor enclosure for chickens to run around in. Basically, chickens come out of the coop and into the chicken run.

Now I have cleared that up, more about the coops. I know there are two types of chicken coops: the chicken tractor, which is a small portable A-frame house you can pull around the garden, or a permanent structure, which is usually based in a chicken run. After visiting several friends coops, I have started to weigh up the pros and cons of each one.

THe PerMANeNT STrUCTUreObviously, you can make the coop as big as you want so you are not limited regarding the number of chickens you want. You can buy these off the side of the road, make it out of brick or whatever you can get your hands on, as long as it has a roof, walls and a place for them to nest, such as a nesting box. However, I have noticed that the area around the coop can be a little bit smelly and the chickens tend to destroy the area in the enclosure or run, so there is not much grass. The chickens do also have a bit more space in the enclosure to run about.

THe CHICKeN TrACTOrThis portable chicken house is often an A-frame bottomless coop, with a place to nest, an enclosure, and with wheels at one end so that it can be moved around the garden. The advantage of this is that the chickens wont do much

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Chickens

damage to the grass, as they need to be moved every second day. Chicken manure can be evenly dispersed around the garden, so there is less of a smell and in return, everyone says your garden gets fertilised. It can generally hold around four to five chickens. However, there is a very small space for a perch, and it might not be well protected against rain.

regardless of what type of coop you want, all chickens require a comfortable, clean and secure coop to sleep and nest in. They need protection from extreme weather, predators and there should be enough space for food and water, as well as a perch, to sit on. Unfortunately, I do know the snake issue might not be solved, as you can protect the chickens but they will still attract the snakes.

Free range chickensMost people have a romantic vision of chickens roaming in the garden every day. However, there is a slight problem with this, as if they are let out too often, they might start to lay eggs in their own secret places and not eat the food given, which has all the required nutrients for healthy eggs. Ideally, they should only be let out twice a week or provide a run with a limited inspectable space.

How many chickens do I need?The question you want to be asking yourself is how many eggs do you want or do you use each day? So, if I get six

chickens I will have about a two dozen a week, which is plenty to share with friends and family too. Chickens are herd animals, they love company, so for happy hens, aim to have at least three birds.

WaterSince an egg is made up of 70-75% water, laying hens need a constant supply of fresh, clean water. Water troughs must be kept clean and shaded from the sun. They do have a good sense of smell and taste so avoid smelly or chlorinated water! restricting water for one day can stress the chicken and can affect their production for up to three days.

Feeding chickensIt is usual to provide food for your chickens at all times. However, to stimulate the birds to eat, feeding less more often is better than dumping a pile of food hoping that they will get through it.

Most of the coops, I have seen have a self-feeder, or you can make your own by: securing an ice-cream container to the wall or putting a brick in a container. Make sure you elevate it slightly to stop them pooing in it or it is well secured to stop them scratching in it, which will cause it to flip.

In terms of food, look for Layers mash there are countless varieties available make sure you buy from a reputable

Novatek has a free app on smart phones, with detailed information on layers and broilers.

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supplier to make sure you get the best nutritional balance for your birds through all seasons.

Nowadays, some layers mash may lack lime grit, which is a source of calcium to make the shells hard. If your eggshells are soft, you can feed them the following: bake/dry eggshells and then grind them up. Dont feed uncooked, whole egg shells as you may encourage birds to break and eat their own eggs before youve collected them.

The beddingBedding for the chickens is a must, as they need to get cozy in the coop to lay their eggs and it needs to be robust and very absorbent. Bedding can be wood shavings, wheat straw and even veld grass. The wonderful thing about the bedding is that when it is time to clean out the coop and replace the bedding, the litter (used bedding) can be thrown on the compost heap or you could use it to make liquid manure.

Health and diseasesFrom what I understand, the best way to avoid any diseases is to keep your chickens healthy and the environment clean:

Provide a coop that is comfortable, well-ventilated, well-lit and free from drafts and dampness.

Make sure you thoroughly clean out the coop at least once a month, by replacing with fresh bedding,

disinfecting the whole coop with a good disinfectant (a digestible disinfectant that wont harm the birds such as virukill). When you get in new point of lays too, make sure you thoroughly disinfect everything.

Good quality bedding is also needed to avoid getting mites and ticks. Mites are horrid little things, and the best way to avoid them is clean, clean and, yes you guessed it, clean the coop.

remove sick birds from the flock and keep them away from the other hens while treatment is given. It is often more humane to destroy sick birds.

If you are not sure why your chickens are sick or dying, take it to the government vet department as they will do a post mortem at a small fee, or a local poultry vet for a diagnosis.

If your chickens suffer from any stress or fright, they will stop laying for a while. Changing the food they eat or any element of the environment can create stress. Sounds like there will be daily yoga in my back yard!

Thank you for all the help I have got from friends, family and experts in finding out all the necessary information!

Hope you will join me on this clucky adventure to get your own fresh eggs!

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Avocado

There are thousands of avocado varieties worldwide. Many home grown avocados start out using the pip in a jar method of germination. If you choose to do this, be aware that the seed is the result of cross-pollination so the resulting tree will be different from the parent tree and may take anywhere from 5 to 13 years before it flowers! It is therefore advisable to plant a grafted tree, bought from a reputable nursery, as the tree will bear in three to four years, you know what you are getting and the rootstock used will be more tolerant to root rot.

It is important to know that each avocado variety has a different flowering habit, which is categorized into two groups, Type A and Type B. Type As flowers open as a female in the morning and a male in the afternoon, Type Bs flowers open as a male in the morning and female in the afternoon. Production is best with cross-pollination between types A and B. Some avocados are partially self-fertile such as, Hass and Fuerte (they can produce some fruit on their own), but their yields will be significantly increased if you can plant one of each type of avocado in proximity to each other.

Where to plantThe secret to growing an avocado tree is good drainage, as they are sensitive to root rot. Make sure that your soil is well composted, neutral in pH and does not have a clay

content higher than 40%. The tree has the potential to get quite large, 12 metres or more, so give it space in a sunny position.

How to plant itDig a hole at least 1m3, mix 1 kg of lime into the soil, along with as much well-rotted compost as possible. Trees should be spaced at least 15 metres apart. Carefully plant the tree without damaging any of the roots then water in well. Mulch around the tree, but never right up to the trunk as this will cause stem rot. Newly planted trees should be watered every other day for the first week then once or twice a week for the first few months.

FertilisingNewly planted trees should be fertilised lightly once during the first year, then about three times a year after that. Compound 3:1:5 fertiliser can be applied in July, December and April. No fertiliser should be applied during flowering and early fruit-set, because it encourages vegetative growth, which competes with the young fruit for nutrients and water.

WateringOnce the trees are established light, frequent irrigations are necessary. Avocado trees are very sensitive to water-logging

Avocados in the home garden By Bridget Henderson

The avocado, Persea americana, can be grown in most areas of Zimbabwe successfully, as long as the area does not have heavy frosts.

The most commonly grown varieties in Zimbabwe

Hass Type aA small ovoid fruit with a creamy texture and nutty taste. The fruit has a rough skin which turns blackish-purple when ripe.

SeASON: MAY - OCTOBer

FuerteType BA medium, pear shaped fruit with a dark green skin and nutty flavour. Fuerte is a large, spreading tree so give it space.

SeASON: MArCH JULY

Pinkerton Type aThis is a heavy bearer of flavoursome, medium sized fruit. It is slightly easier to recognise with its long, pear-shape.

SeASON: APrIL - JULY

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Avocado

hoW do yoU prodUCe CreaMier TasTinG avoCados and noT WaTery ones?

Avocado fruit composition varies with race, variety, time in the season and climatic growing conditions, generally the higher the lipid (oil) content the creamier it is. Mexican and Guatemalan races have a higher oil content in general than fruit from the West Indian races. Oil content increases during the development of avocado fruit increasing slowly at the beginning of the season then more rapidly as the season progresses. Generally fruit that are left longer on the tree will have a higher oil content. Calcium and potassium are important nutrients for fruit quality and lack of them in ratio to nitrogen will also affect internal fruit composition.

MyTh or faCT? hiTTinG a rUsTy iron nail inTo The avoCado Tree helps To prodUCe More avoCados.

This is an old wives tale and I do not recommend it. It generally just stresses the tree and often leads to exacerbated alternate bearing. Trees often do not bear for many years primarily due to the variety and propagation method.

and to drought stress, therefore maintain the soil-moisture content between these two extremes, except in June and July when a drier period is required to stimulate flowering.

HarvestingThe avocado is a climacteric fruit, which matures on the tree, but ripens only once picked. Mature fruit ripens in 3 - 8 days once removed from the tree: wrap them in newspaper or place them in a basket with ripe bananas to speed up ripening.

Alternate bearingCertain varieties have a tendency to bear well in alternate years. After a season with a low yield, due to stress factors such as cold, drought and so on, the trees tend to produce abundantly the next season. Sometimes seedless fruit, known as cukes may appear on the trees.

Fruit drop Avocado trees often set fruit but then drop a significant number of fruit when they are about a pea to golf ball size, this is typical if the tree has set more fruit than it can carry to maturity. To minimise this fruit drop, avoid stressing the tree, such as, under or overwatering the tree. Cross-pollinated fruit have a higher tendency to stay on the tree. Over-fertilising with nitrogen during the early fruit stages can also increase premature fruit drop.

Pests and diseasesrOOT rOTroot rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi) is a soil-borne fungus that infects the feeder root system, causing stunted growth and dieback of branches. Once infected, the signs include yellowing and dropping leaves, there is little that can be done for the tree other than to reduce watering.

SOOTY MOULDSooty mould is a superficial fungus that grows on insect exudates, which is the substance secreted by an insect, from mealy bug, scale or aphids. The key is to control the insects. The sooty mould can be just washed off. Ants should also be controlled.

FrUIT SPOTTING DISeASeS CAUSeD BY ANTHrACNOSe AND CerCOSPOrA The most commonly seen symptoms of Anthracnose are brown lesions which enlarge, eventually covering large areas of the fruit surface. Such fruit often drops prematurely. The pulp beneath the lesions becomes

soft and discoloured too. On infected leaves a brown band spreads inwards from the margin.

Cercospora symptoms include brown irregular shaped lesions on fruit, which then dry out and crack, creating entry points for secondary infections. Fungicides such as copper oxychloride and benomyl effectively control these diseases.

Get in touch with nature in this true wilderness...

Frequently asked questions

mavhuradonha@gmail.com

CerCOSPOrAANTHrACNOSe

The next time you eat an avocado, keep the pip and

help your child grow an avo tree...

grow an avocado tree

1. ReMove AND CleANremove the pip from the avocado carefully and wash off all the avocado fruit. Dont remove the brown skin on the pit it is the seeds cover.

2. ToP AnD BoTToMAvocado pips have a bottom where the roots grow, and a top, where the sprout grows. The slightly pointier end is the top, and the flat end is the bottom. Make sure you place the bottom root end in water.

3. T ooTHPICKsTo rest the bottom half of the avocado in water without it falling in, take four toothpicks and stick them at a slight downward angle into the avocado seed, spacing them evenly around.

4. wATerPlace the avocado pip on top of a glass full of water - make sure the bottom half of the pip is in the water. Place on a quiet windowsill with sunlight. Top up the water every two days and change the water weekly to prevent it from getting diseases.

5. WAIT FoR IT T o sPRouT!It usually takes a long time for your avocado pip to sprout - sometimes up to eight weeks! But watch the roots grow while the seed cracks and removes it skin. Do not allow your water to dry out as it will kill your plant. Plant it in a pot when it is about 30cm tall.

gArDening for KiDS

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Advertorial

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sales@tanzi.co.zw www.tanzi.co.zw

One of the most versatile items you can use in your garden is netting and it is amazing how many different types of net there are and how varied the uses are!

Shade and hail nettingUsed particularly in shade-house applications and will offer protection to plants from hail, wind and insects and will increase plant productivity dramatically, whilst saving money on inputs such as water, chemicals and labour.

These nets are warp-knitted in different mesh patterns and weights, out of polyethylene and are resistant to chemicals and moisture. Shade netting manufactured in Zimbabwe is specially treated to withstand our harsh sun and high levels of Uv radiation and will last up to 8 years, significantly longer than those manufactured in a lot of other countries.

Trellis nettingThis netting is used in the cultivation of fast-growing, creeper-type plants that require support. Using the correct type of trellising for a particular plant will reduce the incidence of disease by spreading the plant out properly, making it easier and more economical to spray plants and assist when harvesting by giving easier access to fruits. It is usually knitted from monofilament polyethylene to customer requirements. Plants such as mange tout, sugar snap peas, runner beans, tomatoes, passion fruit and paprika all benefit enormously from being supported on the correct type of trellis netting.

Plant support nettingMade from a braided 8-ply or 16-ply polyethylene cord, these nets are usually used to support straight-stemmed flowers. The mesh size, width

and length of hand-made support nets are normally produced to customer requirements for specific plant types.

Shade clothOne of the most versatile nets you can have in your gardening stash! Ranging in shade cover from 20% - 90% and available in a range of colours to blend in with your garden or dcor. Shade cloth is probably best known for its application in car ports and shade covers, however it can also be used as a wind barrier, a privacy barrier, as sun blinds over sunny west-facing windows, as a lining for your square foot gardening, to prevent leaves falling into water and of course temporary protection from the elements for fragile seedlings in seed beds. Cost-effective and readily available, shade cloth is the answer to many needs in the average garden. Manufactured in widths of up to six metres and specially treated to resist Uv radiation. This locally manufactured shade cloth will withstand the harsh Zimbabwean elements for up to eight years, but there are pieces of shade cloth dotted around the country that have lasted much longer.

Bird nettingStrong, re-usable bird nett