Easy vegetables to grow during a lockdown
Curfew enforcement and a partial lockdown is the best time for people to start growing household vegetables.
President Uhuru imposed a partial lockdown in Kilifi, Kwale, Kajiado and Nairobi counties last week.
Farmers will be unable to take their produce to the markets hence low food supply. As the virus continues to spread across the country, consumers will only have to grow their vegetables.
There are a couple of benefits of growing your vegetables such as improving your health. This is achieved as you will have plenty of vegetables in your household and they will be free from harmful chemicals.
You will have reduced monthly bills used on groceries, hence saving money. Gardening is a great outdoor exercise that keeps your mind sharp.
When growing your vegetables, your diet is more diverse and healthy since they are always fresh from the farm or outdoor garden.
Here are several easy to grow essential vegetables that one can try out during a lockdown:
Kales and spinach
They are super nutritious vegetables that do well from transplants or seeds. For more yields, ensure you water them regularly and apply fertiliser high in nitrogen. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals especially iron and protein.
Coriander/Dhania
They are always in high demand in Kenya as they are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Dhania does not require any chemicals and excess fertiliser making it the easiest vegetable to grow.
Pepper
They range from sweet to bitter varieties that are rich in vitamins A, C and K that help prevent cell damage, cancer, ageing-related disease and support immune function. Ensure they get maximum sunlight exposure for great yields. Avoid using fertilisers rich in nitrogen as it causes fast growth making them susceptible to diseases and low yields.
Tomatoes
This are the most popular vegetables that are best grown when transplanted. Choose an early maturity variety to avoid disease infestation. If growing in the balcony, ensure they get adequate sunshine and make sure you choose a less windy spot.
Green onions
You can grow purchased small bulbs sets, transplants or plant seeds directly. If you are planting sets, place them three inches deep rather than near the surface to achieve large bulbs.
Beetroots
They will develop quickly and uniformly in loose soil hence before planting remove clumps and stones present in the soil.
Carrots
Ensure the soil is soft and well-drained to provide large and healthy carrots. Ensure they get maximum sunlight which supports shoots growth.
These vegetables are easy to manage and don't forget to practice regular hand washing and social distancing in efforts to curb the coronavirus spread
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