Kilimanjaro, TZ – RTA family garden – 16 Sep 2013
RTA had been having a lot of issues with caterpillars and she had also been putting weeds in her pathways once she pulled them from the garden. The Lishe Bora garden shop talked with her and figured out that a lot of the caterpillars were attracted to the pulled weeds. Thus, she worked to clear the pathways and since then has not had nearly as many issues with caterpillars (the plants are also older and stronger now).
The immediate benefit of this achievement is that she has minimized her bug problem. She has also learned first-hand (and so have we) a valuable lesson about the importance of clearing walkways and keeping all parts of the garden clean. Weeds that are pulled are best used in future compost. In the cleared space along the edges of the garden she is now hoping to plant garlic, onions, and other herbs that will keep bugs away.
RTA also said water was her biggest challenge. When the team asked her what other problems she was having, she said she was having bug issues but those haven’t been as bad over the past couple weeks. Walking through the garden Mary pointed out to her that some of her carrots were growing too close together and she should take some out of the ground so the others would grow bigger and healthier. Her goal is to have the carrot bed in better shape by the time the Lishe Bora garden shop team come back.
Written by: Sam Barnes
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