We bought kale and collard green seeds from the farmers’ store. We prepared the nursery and planted the seeds in grooves and on lines. The seeds germinated well and within two weeks the seedlings were ready for transplantation.
We had prepared the land well in advance for the transplantation with holes dug and manure mixed with topsoil placed inside. We did the mixing to stop the strong, rich and hot manure from burning the seedlings.
We watered them using watering cans with nozzles in the evenings when rains subsided. The seedlings caught on and progressed very well. The leaves became strong and a rich dark green color that was really inviting to the eye and appetite. And within one month, they were ready for harvesting.
After about two months or so of continuous harvesting for food and sales, green worms infested some of the leaves from beneath boring holes while hiding under the cover of the leaves. They were actually eating the leaves from below.
The plants were almost two feet tall then. We had to apply the same solution of Neem tree byproducts or that of ashes mixed with chili peppers. The issue was worse during the dry seasons. We collected the worms and buried them underground. We picked the affected leaves, washed them in salted water and fed cattle and poultry with them.
We never managed to keep our own seeds from the crop because the heat increased intensely during the dry seasons and development reduced tremendously despite our watering the existing crop. We relied on the farmers’ store for the seeds.
Our cows ate the stems at the end of the planting seasons since they remained juicy and green.
We did not plant them for irrigation during the dry season because we dared not have them in the absence of rains for fear of extreme vermin attack in hotter conditions.