Vegetables
Vegetables for a Namibian garden: choose your crops
Use this overview to choose a manageable mix of food plants, then follow the links to their individual guides. The original vegetable list is retained here, with tomatoes…
Grow food · 60 Guides
Vegetables
Vegetables, herbs, grains and mushrooms in a dry climate
Start with: Vegetables for a Namibian garden: choose your crops then follow the Guides in order
Vegetables
Beans
Growing beans in arid Southern Africa can also be a rewarding experience, and there are different types of beans you can choose…
Vegetables
Growing beetroot in Namibia: roots, leaves and local trials
Beetroot provides roots and edible leaves from a compact planting. Give it a steady start, room to develop and a harvest plan. Local growers’ experience with salty coasta…
Vegetables
Cabbage
We now know that this hardy vegetable is antioxidant- and nutrient-rich, and a great addition to any garden! Growing cabbage in arid…
Vegetables
Growing carrots in Namibia: sowing, water and harvest
A short row of carrots can supply useful food without taking over a small garden. The important work happens early: choose a root shape that fits your soil, establish an…
Garden
Growing cucumbers in Namibia: beds, trellises and harvest
Cucumbers can provide a regular fresh harvest from a bed, container or reachable trellis. Choose the variety, water supply and support together, then follow the crop thro…
Vegetables
Growing bulb onions in Namibia: variety choice to storage
For a worthwhile bulb-onion harvest, choose the right variety and planting window before buying seed. Day length, steady early growth and careful curing matter as much as…
Vegetables
Peppers
Adapted from an article on www.planetnatural.com Peppers Peppers are the second most popular vegetable to grow in backyard gardens (yes, tomatoes are…
Vegetables
Pumpkin
Adapted from https://www.almanac.com/plant/pumpkins There are two requirements to growing pumpkins: having the space to grow them and a long growing season (generally,…
Vegetables
Radish
Very easy to grow - try this as your first crop :). Radish grow very quickly and you can start eating in…
Vegetables
Lettuce
Growing Lettuce in Arid Southern Africa: Emphasizing Aquaponics, Raised Beds, and Wicking Beds Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/salad-with-lettuc…
Vegetables
Spinach
Spinach is often confused with Chard Photo by Alari Tammsalu: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-sliced-lemon-fruit-on-green-spinach-leaves-6737544/ Growing and eating spinac…
Vegetables
Strawberries
Site Preparation Site preparation is particularly important when planting a strawberry patch as the plants will remain in the same spot for…
Vegetables
Sweet Melon
Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/plate-of-sliced-natural-colorful-assorted-melons-4397728/ Growing sweet melons in arid Southern Africa can be a…
Vegetables
Sweet Potatoes
Photo by Alesia Kozik: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-sweet-potato-chips-on-a-plate-6072032/ Adapted from an article by Joseph Masabni and Stephen King Ass…
Garden
Growing tomatoes in Namibia: planting to harvest and storage
Grow tomatoes at a scale you can water, support and harvest consistently. This guide follows the crop from variety choice and planting through pruning, pest checks, ripen…
Vegetables
Watermelon
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is grown in all parts of Namibia. Watermelon is not only low in calories it’s packed full with nutrients…
Vegetables
Cowpea
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_and_cultivated_cowpea_%287856427546%29.jpg How to Grow Cowpeas in a Small Homestead (Metric System) Introduction: Hey there!…
Vegetables
Comfrey
By Lynn Greyling on https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=69518&picture=comfrey-leaves Growing comfrey (Symphytum officinale) in arid Southern…
Vegetables
Zuchini – Marrows – Summer squash
Photo by Polina Kovaleva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-and-green-vegetable-on-white-wooden-table-5644864/ Yes, zucchini, marrows, and summer squash are essentially…
Vegetables
Broadbeans – Fava Beans
Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/fava-beans-green-ceramic-bowl-4963929/ How to Grow Fava Beans in a Small Homestead Introduction: Hello there! Fa…
Vegetables
Butternut
Photo by MART PRODUCTION: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-skin-butternut-squash-on-the-table-7890214/ Let's explore how to grow butternut squash in arid climates and t…
Vegetables
Peas
Photo by R Khalil: https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-peas-768090/ Growing peas Here's a detailed explanation of each water-saving technique for growing peas in arid regi…
Vegetables
Broccoli
Photo by Cats Coming: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bowl-of-sliced-broccoli-1359326/ Let's dive into growing broccoli and the best type of garden bed for arid climates in…
Vegetables
Cauliflower
Photo by Alesia Kozik: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cauliflowers-in-wooden-crate-6631961/ Growing Cauliflower What is Cauliflower: Cauliflower is a cool and tasty vegetab…
Herbs
Garlic
Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bulb-of-garlic-and-scattered-cloves-of-garlic-in-peel-on-gray-table-4022182/ How to Grow Organic Garlic: Step 1:…
Herbs
Spring Onions
spring onions How to Grow Organic Spring Onions: Step 1: Obtain Organic Seeds or Sets: Get organic spring onion seeds from a…
Vegetables
Turnip
Photo by Jordan Rushton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/turnip-on-a-wooden-surface-13133610/ Turnips are another wonderful root vegetable to grow in your garden. They are e…
Fruit Trees
Roselle hibiscus
Photo by Cook Eat: https://www.pexels.com/photo/roselle-plant-on-close-up-photography-6671884/ Let's dive into the world of Roselle hibiscus—a fascinating and flavorful p…
Feed
Purslane
Photo by Sharath G.: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-a-pink-and-yellow-moss-rose-purslane-7484117/ As a food Of course! Let's explore the wonderful world o…
Vegetables
Spider Plant
Photo by Mathias Reding: https://www.pexels.com/photo/spider-indoor-plant-on-wooden-flower-stand-11363534/ Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are wonderful additions to…
Vegetables
Okra
Okra is a super cool plant with lots of benefits, especially in arid regions like Southern Africa. Photo by Victoria Bowers: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photograph-of-ok…
Vegetables
Kale
Photo by Eva Bronzini: https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-plant-in-close-up-photography-5758072/ Here's a guide for growing kale in arid Southern Africa: Benefits of Kale…
Vegetables
Chard
Photo by Stella Schafer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-leafy-vegetables-2095569/ Here's a guide for growing Swiss chard (chard) in arid Southern Africa: Benefits of…
Vegetables
Amaranth
Photo by Julia Filirovska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-blooming-red-amaranth-flowers-8248667/ Amaranth: The Nutritious Marvel for Arid Gardens! Amaranth…
Vegetables
Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd)
Photo by Shino Daniel: https://www.pexels.com/photo/fresh-bitter-gourds-hanging-on-tree-12942531/ Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd): A Unique Delight for Arid Gardens! Get read…
Vegetables
Chillies
Chillies: The Fiery Stars of Your Arid Garden! Photo by Engin Akyurt: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-chili-peppers-2894234/ Get ready to add some sizzling spice to…
Vegetables
Cassava (Manioc)
Cassava (Manioc): The Hardy Root for Arid Gardens! Photo by Daniel Dan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cassava-crops-in-close-up-photography-7543155/ Introducing Cassava, a…
Citrus
Micronutrients
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QALxEt6OFpc&pp=ygUUcGxhbnQgbWljcm9udXRyaWVudHM%3D In arid regions, vegetable and fruit garden plants are prone to various micronutrien…
Grains/Starch
Growing potatoes in Namibia: from seed to storage
Grow a manageable potato crop by matching healthy seed, planting season and water supply to your site. This guide brings planning, planting, crop care and harvest togethe…
Garden
Crop rotation for small gardens
Plan your next planting by plant family, using a simple record of what grew in each bed.
Vegetables
Bambara groundnuts: start with a small local trial
Grow and assess this African grain legume with a modest trial, a realistic water budget and locally suitable seed.
Vegetables
Asparagus: planning a lasting vegetable bed
Decide whether your garden can support a permanent asparagus bed, then establish it patiently and protect its recovery growth.
Local plants
Kiwano: learning from Namibia’s horned melon growers
Kiwano or horned melon, Cucumis metuliferus, is an African climbing crop with a spiny fruit and jelly-like interior.
Business Ideas
Saffron: start with genuine corms and a small seasonal trial
Saffron comes from the red stigmas of Crocus sativus flowers. It is a specialised crop with considerable hand labour. Before treating it as a high-value business, learn t…
Garden
Chinese water chestnuts: a contained aquatic crop trial
Chinese water chestnut, Eleocharis dulcis, produces crisp edible corms beneath a stand of rush-like stems. It can be grown in a contained water garden, but it is a water-…
Business Ideas
Rice: assess water, processing and market before planting
Rice can be an important food and trading crop in suitable settings. For most arid Namibian sites, the first decision is whether the whole water-and-processing system mak…
Grains/Starch
Chickpeas: choose a season through a small growing trial
Chickpeas, Cicer arietinum, offer a different pulse to try alongside locally familiar beans. The first question is whether a suitable variety can flower and fill pods wit…
Agroforestry
Pigeon peas: trial food and biomass in a warm garden
Pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan, is a shrubby legume grown for food and other farm uses. It may fill a useful role in a warm, adequately watered garden, but its mature size, se…
Local plants
Sea spinach on the Namibian coast: identify the plant first
“Sea spinach” is a common name, not a reliable botanical identification. Coastal plants can offer food and habitat value, but a plant growing near salt water is not autom…
Garden
Seed priming: test controlled soaking without the myths
Seed priming is controlled hydration intended to prepare seed for germination before sowing. It is a crop-specific technique, not a reason to soak every packet or assume…
Garden
Test saved seed before spending water on a bed
A simple germination test helps decide whether a saved seed lot is worth sowing. It can reveal a weak lot before you spend scarce water, compost and bed space on it. It d…
Grains/Starch
Gaps in maize cobs: check pollination and crop stress
Missing kernels can result from poor pollination or failure of developing kernels after pollination. Understanding tassels and silks helps a grower distinguish a planting…
Preparing & Storing Food
Green tomato pickles: preserve the family flavour safely
Green tomatoes can become a useful pickle when the harvest ends before every fruit ripens. For jars intended to stand on a shelf, the recipe and processing method are a f…
Preparing & Storing Food
Tomato harvest: sort, ripen and store with less waste
The easiest storage improvement may be to separate tomatoes by condition and ripeness immediately after harvest. A damaged ripe fruit and a sound mature green fruit need…
Grains/Starch
Growing potatoes in Namibia: from seed to storage
Grow a manageable potato crop by matching healthy seed, planting season and water supply to your site. This guide brings planning, planting, crop care and harvest togethe…
Infrastructure
A cucumber trellis for a small growing space
A trellis can move a cucumber crop upward, make fruit easier to find and reduce contact with soil. It also catches wind and needs regular training. Design something you c…
Garden
Trench-planting a leggy tomato seedling
Tomatoes can form roots along buried stems. This can make shallow trench planting useful for a tall, leggy transplant, provided the plant is healthy and the soil is suita…
Aquaponics
Choose crops for a recirculating growing system
Recirculating water can be useful, but the crop still needs light, nutrients, space and care. Choose a crop to fit the system you can maintain. Start by distinguishing aq…
Business Ideas
Create a shared harvest and order list
A shared harvest list helps growers and buyers agree what is available, when it can be collected and how it will be measured. A clear weekly message or paper sheet can be…
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