book for PDF - John Snow International Europe

Crop/ Uses Cultivation tipsNutrientsPumpkin, Marrowand SquashGood source ofcalcium andVitamin A. Theseeds containhigh amounts offat protein, zincand Vitamin A.The fruits and leavesare eaten cooked. Theseeds may be roastedand eaten as a snack.Intercrop with maize,sorghum, millet andsunflowers. It acts asliving mulch andsuppresses weeds.These crops need a lot of spaceand warm weather. Plant seeds onmounds in holes at least 45 cmdiameter and 25–30 cm deep. Ineach hole plant 5-6 seeds. Avoidwatering the leaves. Supportplants on trellises to avoid fungaldiseases. Enclose the ripening fruitin a loose orange bag or raise thefruit onto a flat stone. Apply liquidmanure every 2-3 weeks afterflower buds have formed. Trappumpkin fly using fruit-fly traps.Control aphids to avoid spread ofmosaic virus.StrawberriesVitamin C.The fruit are a highvaluecash crop andcan be eaten fresh ormade into jam.Strawberries makegood groundcovers inbetween vegetablesand around fruit trees.Strawberries are grown from rootdivision or runners. They need richsoil and plenty of water. Mulch withpine needles as they like acidicconditions.Spinach/ SwisschardIron, Calcium,Vitamins C andK.The green leaves areeaten cooked or raw.For more nutrientschop the leaves finelyand eat mixed withcabbage and carrot asa salad. To cook, lightlysteam or stir-fry.This tough plant tolerates a widerange of soils but is a heavyfeeder. Harvest the outer leavesafter 8 weeks. Remove by pullingand twisting the leaf. Caterpillarsmay need to be controlled. Leafspot may occur in damp weather.99