This garden clocked one year in April, this year. The oldest plant here is the plantain and banana suckers that were planted during the covid-19 lockdown period when the main house was still under construction. Having completed the main building, we moved in in April, 2022. That became necessary because of land grabbers who were on the rampage during that period, even up till now. This is to say that my garden is a favourite intention to make the land appeared like it is already owned so that a novice will not fall prey to the hands of land grabbers who go about settling lands that do not belong to them.
Since then, I have taken the responsibility of building a choice garden for myself. The garden is designed on a whole plot of land stretching towards the swamp where plantain and banana suckers will enjoy the natural presence of water to make it fruit and nourished throughout the year.
I contracted a water project that would serve both the farm and the main building to some local diggers and the water that we discovered is good for consumption. But before they started digging, apart from the agreed amount Inwas charged, they requested that I buy a duck so that it would be sacrificed to water spirits for easy access to water. I laughed, just like you must have giggles while reading this. I gave them the cash with which they were expected to buy a duck. Whether they did or not, I didn't bother to ask because I don't believe in such superstition.
Anyway, they started digging and after two days, they touched the water level. There was plenty of water now. Hence, the desire to build a fish pond. In 2022, about one thousand breeds of catfish were sold from the pond.
The economic meltdown and inflation of fish meal discouraged me from engaging in the pond this year. I'd wait till it reduces in price so that I don't run at loss after the farming year.
My garden is filled with a lot of food crops. For instance, cassava, yam and pink skinned potatoes. Though all that has been harvested. In the garden now, cassava will take one whole year before it will be mature for harvest. Since the space available is for mixed cropping, I take pleasure in rotating the crops. Come with me, as I kindly take you round my garden through the map below.
Welcome to my garden!
From the main building, standing and facing the east, you can the entire garden but you might get to see everything because of tall plants. So, take some few steps from the main building toward the garden, you'd see the huge cassava stem by your left and the oven for roasting the fish by the left and coconut tree towards the left wing of the main building.
The garden houses a lot from for family consumption except for the fish pond at the far end of the garden that is a commercial venture.
Our only source of water in the garden is the well in which a submersible pumping machine is inserted to supply water to the main building and other parts of the garden. Since every plant in the garden needs water to survive and flourish, underground pipes are laid for the purpose of distributing waters to the cultivated crops. Hence, with the aid of the map, a visitor to the garden would know where to dig or not so as to prevent bursting the water pipe.
Do you like to join in this contest, kindly ready the Announcement Post Here. This contest is still very much opened and will be off in the next 24 hours or there about. I'd gladly want to invite @jjmusa2004, @marynn, @cool08, @debbyrose, @tozill, @angelinacobbs, @vickoly...... Come participate.
To be a #creativegarden operator, the need to design a plan of your existing garden is highly relevant to getting involved in this contest.