Kitchen Gardening Can Cut Food Costs as Experts Push Winter Vegetable Sowing

FAISALABAD: Agriculture experts have advised citizens to sow winter vegetables through kitchen gardening in September and October, saying home-grown produce is fresh, healthy, affordable and free from pesticides and chemical contamination.

According to the Agricultural Feature Service of the Directorate of Agricultural Information Faisalabad, vegetables hold recognised importance in meeting the food needs of the growing population. Experts say per capita vegetable consumption in Pakistan is far below the global standard.

Consumption Below Global Standard

Experts recommend 300 to 350 grams of vegetables per person daily in the human diet, while consumption in Pakistan stands at only 100 to 150 grams per person daily.

Vegetables grown under kitchen gardening in one’s field or home garden are fresh, healthy and cheap. They remain free from agricultural poisons and other contaminants, which has pleasant effects on human health.

What Is Kitchen Gardening

Kitchen gardening generally means vegetable cultivation on a household scale. It specifically refers to growing vegetables needed for daily household use near the kitchen in lawns, pots, baskets, plastic bags, wooden and plastic boxes or on rooftops, making fresh vegetables available at all times.

Vegetables grown this way are obtained free from pollution, without the use of chemical fertilisers and toxic medicines.

Winter Sowing Season

Winter vegetables are sown in September and October and harvested through February and March. Winter vegetables include cauliflower, cabbage, potato, onion, salad, radish, turnip, peas, carrot, spinach, fenugreek, coriander and garlic.

In winter, radish, turnip, carrot, spinach, coriander, fenugreek and peas should be sown directly in the soil. In summer, okra, bitter gourd, cucumber, watermelon and melon are directly sown.

Cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, onion and salad are winter vegetables grown through nursery transplantation.

Sunlight and Planning

Experts advise selecting a spot where plants receive at least six hours of sunlight daily. In shady areas of the courtyard or garden, leafy vegetables such as coriander, mint, spinach and salad should be grown.

Before cultivation, measure the selected area to estimate fertiliser and seed requirements. One marla of land equals 272 square feet. After measuring, allocate area for different vegetables keeping in mind needs, preferences and season.

Some vegetables like coriander and mint meet household needs from small areas, while others require more space. Before sowing, draw a sketch on paper noting selected vegetables, row spacing, plant distance and fertiliser needs to avoid difficulty during land preparation.

Row Direction and Protection

In winter, keep vegetable rows in a north-south direction for maximum sunlight. Arrange protective fencing around the area to save vegetables from pets such as chickens and rabbits.

To protect peas and other vegetables from birds like parrots and sparrows, tie shiny strips in the area, which keeps birds away from vegetables.