RAISING YOUR OWN SEEDLINGS IS EASY

It is common among farmers practice to buy seedlings for planting in their farms. Seed planting is common for plants like maize and beans.

For fruits and vegetables like kales, tomatoes and pawpaw, farmers can learn a few tips on nursery preparation and care avoid unnecessary expenditure in purchase of seedlings.

A section of land marked for nursery preparation

A nursery can be as long as you choose but its width should not exceed one meter. This is to facilitate ease of moving during weed removal and watering your seedlings once they sprout.

Ensure the soil is soft to facilitate easy root development and weeding when weeds strike.

A cross-section of a tree nursery

Your nursery should be in a cool place or you can prepare a shade for your sprouting seedlings as direct sunlight is likely to wither them.

The shade also helps prevent damage of your young seedlings from heavy downpour and hailstones.

Water your seedlings every morning and evening during dry seasons to ensure your seedlings have good enough water intake and root development as water softens the soil particles.

Ready polythene bags filled with soil for seedling preparation

Fence off your nursery from stray animals that may step on your nursery and spoil your seedlings.

Once your seedlings have fully sprouted, remove the shade to facilitate photosynthesis as your seedlings need more food for development.

A farmer collects seedlings for transplanting

Transfer your seedlings to the field at an appropriate time preferably during the rainy season to prevent them from drying due to disturbance.

Seedlings in polythene bags ready for transplanting

If you are transporting them to a distance field, it is advisable to use a polythene bag stand for each seedling and rear it before transplanting.