Thread by @SeruyaFarm

Need good yielding crop with less struggle?
Think Pumpkins.

Short Thread

Pumpkins are the easiest crops to farm. Take less time to maturity, about 3 months, and yield in high volume.
In the market, this produce retails an arm and leg with 1kg going as far as ksh200.
#COVID19

To plant pumpkins, ensure your soil is well drained.If not, make raised beds.
Plant using farm manure at 2m squared. You can soak the seeds in water with rooting solutions for 4 days then plant directly.
Dont use any fertilizer during planting as this might interfere with sprouts

Once they have germinated, you can choose to apply fertilizer or simply add more compost on top.
If using fertilizers, apply CAN or Urea but not directly. Growth needs nitrogen in plenty. Make a 2inch hole 4~6 inches away from the stem, put in the granules, one spoonful, n cover.

Dark green leaves means your pumpkins are doing great. Pale to deep yellow leaves mean deficiency.
After 1 month, the crop starts producing male flowers. Apply NPK+Te. Also spray folia with high boron, zinc, phosphorus n potassium with Te (trace elements). Important for fruiting

Male flowers are immediately followed by female flowers and will keep alternating as the stem crawls. Direct the stem to the direction you want especially away from footpaths. It also roots as it extends so cover the stems with compost at 1m interval. Ensures more nutrition.

Flowering and fruiting stage is sensitive as this is where fruitflies attack. New fruits rot and mould. Control fruitflies with bee friendly sprays. However, the best is to install traps as most sprays will kill or repel bees preventing pollination.
Its a tricky stage.

Even without controlling fruit flies, nature will take course and some will die while others (most) will survive. Harvest your pumpkins 1.5 to 2months after fruiting.
Dont let them over mature as this interferes with taste and water levels. Overmatured have brown shades.

Eat, sell or store in a cool dry place. If timing is done well, the fruit tastes great and can be stored for over 1 year without losing taste. They have a long shelf life giving you time to get your buyer.
Wholesale buyers will be the best option as 1 acre can yield over 10 tons!

A well managed pumpkin plant can give about 10 fruits but you need to feed it well and harvest the mature ones starting with the first to fruit. Alternatively, limit the number of fruits per stem at 4/6.
The world record pumpkin size was at 1900lb! Cant fit in one pickup!

The health benefits of pumpkins have been well documented. It is also a good substitute for most meals. Pumpkins are among the few crops with a complete balanced diet. Leaves make best veggies.
It also makes good soup.
I have also come up with the best recipe.
#COVID19
#farming

@IrriHub @Act4Zw @sharonjcheboi @Lizette_ela1904 @bethmar_mburu @WediFarms @billgrahams1 @_fels1 @ChebbyWinnie @amerix @CedricAnami @Jabuto_Jabuto @mkulimayoung @njoguwambu1 @PatrickOtok @rodgers_kirwa @mynzagric254 @bwanaricho @RKDAVID1 @Fifi_dvc @ydb_ZN @TheMatundaMan

Seed Preparation
Cut a mature pumpkin.
Remove seeds using spoon.
Wash them thoroughly in clean water.
Sieve to remain with seeds.
Dry for two to three days.
Keep or plant.
Pumpkin seeds can also be eaten by boiling or roasting. Contain high levels of zinc.
#COVID19
#farming

Ensure you pick only the best seeds for planting. Flat emaciated seeds have no cotyledons and won't germinate. Bulging and oval shaped ones make good seeds.
You can also put in water and throw the floating ones.
The seeds are expensive. You can decide to sell seeds only. @IrriHub