Declaration of Our Core Commitment to Sustainability Dilmah owes its success to the quality of Ceylon Tea. Our business was founded, therefore, on an enduring connection to the land and the communities in which we operate. We have pioneered a comprehensive commitment to minimising our impact on the planet, fostering respect for the environment and ensuring its protection by encouraging a harmonious coexistence of man and nature. We believe that conservation is ultimately about people and the future of the human race, that efforts in conservation have been associated with human well-being and poverty reduction outcomes. These core values allow us to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations of sustainability.
Our Commitment We reinforce our commitment to the principle of making business a matter of human service and to the core values of Dilmah, which are embodied in the Six Pillars of Dilmah. We will strive to conduct our activities in accordance with the highest standards of corporate best practice and in compliance with all applicable local and international regulatory requirements and conventions. We recognise that conservation of the environment is an extension of our founding commitment to human service. We will assess and monitor the quality and environmental impact of its operations, services and products whilst striving to include its supply chain partners and customers, where relevant and to the extent possible. We are committed to transparency and open communication about our environmental and social practices. We promote the same transparency and open communication from our partners and customers. We strive to be an employer of choice by providing a safe, secure and non-discriminatory working environment for its employees whose rights are fully safeguarded and who can have equal opportunity to realise their full potential. We promote good relationships with all communities of which we are a part and we commit to enhancing their quality of life and opportunities whilst respecting their culture, way of life and heritage.
© Ceylon Tea Services PLC
www.dilmahconservation.org
This publication may be produced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non- profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is cited. No use of this publication may be made for resale or any commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder. Disclaimer The contents and views in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the copyright holder or other companies affiliated to the copyright holder. Citation Fernando, W. S. (2015). A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening: Ceylon Tea Services PLC. Text by W. Sarathchandra Fernando Photography, Design and Layout by Kasun Pradeepa. Wild Studio Printed and bound Karunaratne & Sons (Pvt)Ltd. ISBN: 978-955-0081-16-5
Ceylon Tea Services PLC MJF Group 111, Negombo Road Peliyagoda Sri Lanka Contact info@dilmahconservation.org 2015.
A Guide to
Eco-friendly Home Gardening W. Sarathchandra Fernando
Message from the Founder
Being self-sufficient with our food needs and growing our own food seem, over time, to have become antiquated concepts. When I was growing up, we had little choice but to rely on our natural environment for our food. Most of the fruits and vegetables we ate were grown, gathered or picked from our own villages, and even around our own homes. So we knew exactly where our food came from and its quality. But now, unfortunately, the situation has changed. With greater urbanization and commercialization, we have become more accustomed to shopping for our produce. When we buy raw produce from groceries, we rarely know where it comes from, what goes into growing it or the adverse effects it may have had on the environment. As a result, our younger generations are not as healthy as we used to be, and people are getting sick far more often. This is the reason that Dilmah decided to focus resources to reintroduce the traditional practice of home gardening, to promote healthier and more environmentally-friendly lifestyles. Since 2011, through the Dilmah Conservation Sustainable Agriculture Research Centre (DCSARC), we have strived to create greater awareness among urban communities about the tremendous benefits of home gardening, both to the health of our families and to our environment. Through this publication, I hope that readers will be motivated and inspired to start their own home gardens and contribute in your own small way to a better, healthier lifestyle and a safer environment for all of us. If you already have your own home garden, I hope the information in this document will help you learn even more about how to yield the best-quality produce for your family while protecting the environment around you. Not only will home gardening contribute towards healthier lifestyles, but it will also contribute to addressing the food security needs of our country and the world.
Merrill J. Fernando Founder – Dilmah Conservation
A Guide to
Eco-friendly Home Gardening W. Sarathchandra Fernando
Foreword
Home gardening – particularly in urban spaces – has recently become a trend in some countries. Families are realising that growing their own food is not only economical but also healthy, without the dangerous agrochemicals used by commercial farmers. The direct impact of home gardening is in improving the food security of families while also increasing their purchasing power. There are a number of other advantages home gardening provides for the planet as a whole by promoting sustainable living. It keeps the environment free from harmful chemicals, improves the soil and reduces waste. This book promotes the reuse of material that would otherwise be thrown away bringing about benefits such as less plastic in landfills. For anyone who feels like one individual cannot make an impact in improving the environment, home gardening is the best example on how one individual can make a big difference. This applies to rural and urban communities. Now consider the greatest environmental challenge of our time: climate change. Home gardens are not only helping humans cope with the adverse effects of climate change by providing alternative food sources, but they are also helping fight climate change itself. For example, the warming planet is bringing about severe habitat loss. Landowners can help reverse this by creating healthy ecosystems to support life within their garden spaces. Furthermore, the absence of fossil fuel-based chemical fertilisers in home gardens also builds healthy soil that helps trap carbon dioxide and keep it out of the atmosphere. In this backdrop, this book is a timely intervention to help citizens become a part of the solution rather than the problem in environmental degradation. I take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Sarathchandra Fernando for his efforts in creating greater awareness among the general public through this publication. Through the endorsement of this project, Dilmah Conservation continues its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. Furthermore, the free extension service at the Sustainable Agricultural Research Centre (DCSARC) in Moratuwa provides practical examples through which the general public can get hands-on experience. Congratulations on another outstanding project, which is really and truly a public service.
Professor Emeritus Walter Herath Professor of Agriculture Biology University of Peranediya, Sri Lanka
08
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
Preface
More communities are starting to realise the significance of home gardening toward leading healthier lives. This traditional agricultural practice promotes healthy living through the use of available space around households to grow food. Organic gardening practices enable home gardeners to produce food within one’s own property, minus the harmful agrochemicals used in much of the produce in markets. Gardens have always been commonplace among homeowners, and gardening, in general, has long been practiced as an activity that brings about relaxation. But it is only recently that home gardening is being promoted for small spaces, even within urban communities. So, whether you live in a sprawling estate or an apartment in the city, there is always the possibility to use any available space you have to grow some healthy produce for your family. Home gardening not only enables you to produce healthy, good-tasting food, but it can also be extremely economical. In addition to these benefits, however, there are other less-talked-about benefits that have a significant positive impact on the environment. The absence of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers not only keeps us safe but also keeps the environment safe. Home gardens that are maintained by organic gardening practices also help reduce pollution. When implemented on a wide scale – home gardens undoubtedly aid in achieving food security. Furthermore, in the longterm, home-gardening practices further sustainability and, when done right, help retain biodiversity in an age when biodiversity around the world is being threatened at alarming rates. Organic cultivation also helps reduce a family’s carbon footprint, thus reducing the human influence in bringing about global warming. Dilmah Conservation embarked on this project to publish a book on eco-friendly home gardening for those who desire to reap the maximum benefits of this practice while also making their own contribution to safeguarding the environment. The publication is a part of a wider effort that also consists of the Dilmah Conservation Sustainable Agriculture Research Centre (DCSARC) that has developed proven methods in urban home gardening methods. Since this publication is aimed at promoting home gardening within small spaces, it includes a host of best practices to ensure that the home garden is successful. Concepts of vertical agriculture, organic pest control methods, sound waste management practices, water conservation and promoting biodiversity are some of the aspects that are covered in this publication.
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
09
Acknowledgements
The support and guidance of many individuals have made this publication possible. While it is difficult to individually name every single person, I take this opportunity to thank a few individuals whose assistance has been particularly crucial. Firstly, I would like to express my appreciation to Dilmah Conservation without which this book would never have materialised. I am also especially grateful to the Founder and Chairman of Dilmah, Mr. Merrill J. Fernando, who has promoted ecofriendly agricultural practices all his life. His encouragement was an invaluable asset throughout the journey of completing this book. I thank the supervisor and the staff of the farm at Dilmah Conservation’s Sustainable Agricultural Research Centre (DCSARC) for their assistance over the years that resulted in this publication. Finally, I would like to give my gratitude to Prof. Walter Herath for reviewing the publication and Mr. K.A. Abayakoon for the expertise and feedback he shared. Almost all the concepts and methods discussed in this book can be seen at DCSARC located in Moratuwa, in the outskirts of Colombo. This facility was of great benefit for the publication because a guide such as this is futile without being able to demonstrate the methods to the readers. However, the Centre serves a far greater purpose for the public that can view examples of these agricultural practices taking place in the real world.
Dilmah Conservation Sustainable Agricultural Research Centre (DCSARC) Free extension services can be obtained from: DCSARC Farm, 340 Galle Road, Katubedda, Moratuwa (Next to K Zone) Wednesday – Public Day 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special day programmes for groups of 25 can be organised by sending a request to info@dilmahconservation.org or: Manager Dilmah Conservation, 111 Negombo Road, Peliyagoda.
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
11
Contents Foreword 08 Preface 09 Acknowledgements 10 1. Towards Environmentally-Friendly Urban Cultivation 13 1.1 The Benefits of Home Gardening 16 2. Organic Cultivation at Home 15 2.1 Why is Organic Gardening Important? 16 2.2 Preparing the Soil Prior to Planting 16 2.3 Using Organic Fertilisers 17 3. Vertical Agriculture 23 3.1 Choosing the Right Plants 23 3.2 Reusing Materials for Your Organic Garden 29 3.2.1 Crop Tables 29 3.2.2 Vertical Wall Racks 29 3.2.3 Pallet Beds 29 3.2.4 Pallet Can/Bottle Holder 29 3.2.5 Plastic Can Rack 29 3.2.6 Tyre Crop Tower 29 3.2.7 Lotus Tyre Crop Tower 29 3.2.8 Wall Sack Model 29 3.2.9 Barrel Crop Tower 29 3.2.10 V Rack 29 3.2.11 Waga Thepawa 29 3.2.12 Plastic Bottles Fence 29 3.2.13 Green-wall Tyre System 29
4. Organic Inputs 33 4.1 Heap method 23 4.2 Faith Garden (Food Always in the Home) 29 4.3 Starter Solution 31 4.4 Wormy Compost 29 4.5 Wormy Wash 29 4.6 Liquid Fertiliser 29 5. Organic Pest Control 13 5.1 Growing Plants That Are a Natural Deterrent 16 5.2 Margosa (Neem) Seed Solution 16 5.3 Margosa (Neem) Juice 16 5.4 Margosa (Neem) + Cinnamon + Garlic Mixture 16 5.5 Kerosene Oil + Cinnamon + Garlic Mixture 16 5.6 Setting Up an Insect Trap 16 6. Responsible Garden Maintaining 15 6.1 Water Conservation in Your Home Garden 16 6.2 Water Saving Tips for Home Gardening 16 6.3 Beautification 17 6.4 Promoting Biodiversity Conservation Within the Home Garden 17 6.4.1 How to Create a Butterfly Garden 17 7. Annex 138 Other new species and new records of Sri Lankan lichens 8. Glossary 172 9. Bibliography and Resources for Further Study 172
1. Towards
Environmentally -Friendly Cultivation
Urban
Dilmah Conservation recognises the importance of organic cultivation methods, alongside the socio-economic and environmental benefits of adopting these practices even within limited urban garden spaces. The Dilmah Conservation Sustainable Agriculture Research Centre (DCSARC) was established to promote environmentally-friendly organic gardening practices through research and innovation towards enhancing the quality of agricultural produce, ecologically-sound waste management and recycling, natural resource conservation, and promoting urban home gardening initiatives by sharing knowledge and encouraging wider learning. 14
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
Presently, over 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants have been planted at Tikiri Kotuwa and the dedicated Conservation Park, which form a part of DCSARC. Aside from conducting research on chemical-free fertiliser, pest management and non-soil, hydroponic and vertical agriculture, DCSARC also actively reuses refuse, such as plastic cans, from Dilmah’s Peliyagoda Factory, including wooden pallets, empty cans, buckets, and tyres to develop inventive agricultural tools. Moreover, DCSARC shares its findings by way of community awareness programmes on innovative urban gardening methods, which are suited for limited spaces and also encourage the recycling of household and garden waste. Through these educational initiatives targeting the urban public, DCSARC seeks to encourage responsible consumption and the wider use of healthy, costeffective and sustainable practices to help contribute towards a household’s daily fruit and vegetable intake. A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
15
1.1 The Benefits of Home Gardening
Within a space of about 1,000 square feet, a household can grow all the fruits and vegetables it might need. However, it is important to be mindful of optimising the space towards minimising soil degradation and facilitating pest management effectively. Irrespective of the extent of space available, there is scope for planting at least a few useful plants in the vicinity of one’s household. Home gardening can be a productive and enjoyable pastime that can have a positive impact on individuals, their families and households, and the environment. Both a form of exercise and relaxation, gardening can provide a variety of psychological and physiological benefits. A home garden can supply a household with a variety of herbs, leafy greens, spices, vegetables, fruits, tubers, yams, and even medicinal plants. These additions to the home garden can contribute towards a household’s daily intake of fruits and vegetables leading to a healthier diet and better nutrition. Not only is this approach of growing your own produce simple and economical, fresh fruits and vegetables are also more flavourful and retain more nutrients, making them a healthier alternative.
z
h z
f
2.
Organic Cultivation at Home
Organic gardening is the practice of growing plants, including fruit and vegetables, without using chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertiliser.
2.1 Why is Organic Gardening Important? Chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers can be extremely harmful to our health and the environment. Adopting organic gardening practices helps reduce pollution and minimise the amount of toxic substances affecting the environment, contributing to both healthy living as well as soil and water conservation. Even within limited spaces, growing your own organic fruits and vegetables at home is easy, economical, and rewarding.
Adopting organic gardening practices within one’s home garden by using chemical-free fertilisers and pesticides ensures that the produce is not tainted with residues of harmful agrochemicals. Organic cultivation also has broader positive implications for the environment as it contributes towards a reduction in one’s carbon footprint and consequently helps mitigate global warming. The greening that occurs by way of home gardening also helps the conservation of the environment and local ecosystems, and biodiversity at large. Greening contributes to energy conservation as it has a cooling effect on the environment, especially within urban areas. Soil is integral to all life, be it plant, animal, or human, not only as a habitat or a medium for growth, but also as a key component in essential production processes such as crops for food. Organic agricultural practices, especially those such as composting, also help rejuvenate the soil and improve soil health, supporting a stable ecosystem of soil-dwelling flora and fauna. Healthy soil rich in organic matter retains water and nutrients, thus improving plant growth and yield. Composting allows for the recycling of kitchen and garden waste into a nutrient -rich and chemical-free soil additive to improve plant growth and soil functions. 18
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
2.2 Preparing the soil Prior to Planting
Turning over the soil a few times and exposing it to the air and sun help get rid of existing pests. Disrupting the soil will destroy eggs, cocoons, and larvae, while exposure to the sun will make it undesirable for pests.
2.3 Using Organic Fertilisers DCSARC prepares many organic fertilisers that are low-cost and effective. Organic fertilisers are a good source of carbon and nitrogen. They also help the soil better retain water, which aids in the improvement of the soil quality, thereby producing a better harvest.
z
3.
Vertical
Agriculture
Based on the availability of space, gardens can be categorised into the following
u
n
a
a
Large Gardens Large gardenes are those possessing adequate or excess space, which allows for a planned garden suitable for growing numerous crops and the availability of raw materials for supplying one’s own carbon-rich fertiliser, liquid fertiliser and pesticides.
Medium-sized Gardens Medium-sized gardens which are relatively limited in space, but provides adequate space for a planned plot and unplanned gardening depending on what spaces could be optimised. These gardens will have adequate space for pots and installing structures such as crop towers. However, there will be limitations in the availability of raw materials available for preparing one’s own carbon-rich fertiliser, liquid fertiliser and pesticides.
Small Gardens Small gardens which are very limited in space with minimal ground space available for planting. The availability of raw materials for preparing one’s own carbon-rich fertiliser, liquid fertiliser and organic pesticides will be very unlikely.
A plot of 30 x 30 feet can provide a substantial crop for daily household consumption. In order to optimise this space in a manner which does not lead to soil degradation and mitigate diseases, plants must be rotated to ensure a perennial crop.
3.1 Choosing the Right Plants Choosing the right plants will rely on the type of garden space available since it will influence soil conditions, drainage of water, and the amount of available shade and sunshine. Plants, seeds and cuttings of a variety of fruits and vegetables can be planted in home gardens.
Typical Plants Kathurumurunga, amberella, chili, tomato, leafy greens, beetroot and kohila.
Seeds Cowpea, mung bean, long beans, ridged gourd, snake gourd, bitter gourd, squash, cucumber, pumpkin, spinach, carrot, turnip, thampala, okra.
Cuttings Spinach, kohila, sweet potato, pennywort, crepe ginger, spinach, sarana leaves, gotukola, murunga, kiri ala, dehi ala, vel ala, pineapple.
22
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
3.2 Reuse of Materials for Your Organic Garden Given the limitations in space within urban environs, maintaining a home garden could seem like a daunting task. However, by reusing certain non-biodegradable waste items, even small spaces can be optimised for cultivation. The irresponsible disposal of non-biodegradable plastic, polythene and rubber waste has proved to be especially damaging to the environment. Burning this refuse results in the release of toxic gases into the atmosphere, while discarding them into landfills leads to soil and water pollution with destructive impacts to ecosystems. Further, carelessly allowing such items to gather within the home garden creates favourable conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes to breed, and spread illnesses such as Dengue Fever.
Dilmah Conservation has taken a step towards using non-biodegradable household refuse including polythene bags, old tyres, and plastic cans and bottles, for an innovative and environmentally-friendly purpose. Refuse such as used plastic bottles, empty cans and sacks can be used for planting. Additionally, discarded wooden pallets from Dilmah Tea factories are also utilised to make raised garden boxes to plant vegetables. Even at home, plastic bottles, cans, containers and tyres can be reused as pots with simple modifications to grow flowers, vegetables and other edible greenery. Not only are these methods sustainable, cost-effective and useful in setting up a home garden, they benefit both the household and the environment. There are several methods to grow crop vegetables with vertical models. The photographs shown here are examples of models that can be easily constructed at home for gardening within a limited amount of space.
3.2.1 Crop Tables
You will need
d Wooden pallet planks d Four 2x2 wooden bars d Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d Your choice of seeds or saplings
How to set it up 1. Use the 2x2 wooden bars to build the stand or the four legs of the table. 2. Using the wooden pallet planks, build a rectangular frame with a smaller rectangular space at the centre. 3. Build a rectangular box using wooden pallets. One side of the box must be open. 4. Attach the rectangular frame to the top of the table stand. 5. Insert the rectangular box in to the rectangular frame. 6. Fill the box with the soil mix. 7. Plant the seeds or saplings in the box. 8. Pour water in to the box.
The following plants can be grown using this model Salad leaves, lettuce, cabbages 26
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
3.2.2 Vertical Wall Racks You will need
d d
Wooden pallet planks Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d
Your choice of seeds or saplings
How to set it up 1. Build the wall rack with wooden pallet planks by placing them horizontally to construct the main frame. 2. Position 3 or more shelves with wooden pallets on the wooden rack. 3. Attach the wall rack on to a wall. 4. Fill each rack with the soil mix. 5. Plant seeds or plants on the shelves. 6. Water each shelf on the rack daily.
The following plants can be grown using this model Radish, lettuce, long beans, carrot and types of chilli
28
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
3.2.3 Pallet Beds You will need
d d
Wooden pallet planks Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d d
Your choice of seeds or saplings Withered plant parts for mulching
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
29
How to set it up 1. Demarcate a plot using the wooden planks and fill with top soil and the soil mix. 2. Mark ridges on the plot to plant seeds or saplings. 3. Dig up ditches in between the ridges to facilitate efficient drainage. 4. Plant seeds or saplings on the ridges. 5. Cover the plant bed ridges using mulch. 6. Water the beds twice a day.
The following plants can be grown using this model Brinjals, ladies fingers, chili, long beans and all other types of plants
3.2.4 Pallet Can / Bottle Holder You will need
d d d
Wooden pallet planks Plastic cans or plastic bottles Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d
Your choice of seeds or saplings
How to set it up 1. Cut the wooden pallet planks into long and narrow wooden strips and small wooden bracket. 2. Position the longer wooden plank vertically to be attached to the wall. 3. Fix the smaller piece of wood onto the longer strip of wood. 4. Attach the wooden bracket under the smaller piece of wood as support, so that it can bear the weight of the can. 5. Attach the can holder on to a wall. 6. Cut out the surface of a plastic can or a plastic bottle and drill holes onto the other side. 7. Fill the bottles or plastic cans with the soil mix. 8. Plant the seeds or saplings inside the container. 9. Place one container per holder. 10. Water each container daily.
The following plants can be grown using this model Radish, lettuce, long beans, carrot, types of chilli and leeks
3.2.5 Plastic Can Rack You will need
d d d
About eight 2x2 wooden bars Waste pallet planks Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d d
Plastic cans Your choice of seeds and saplings
How to set it up 1. Build 2 triangular frames using wooden bars. 2. Build 4 or 5 wooden shelves using waste pallet planks. 3. Fit each wooden shelf horizontally onto the two main triangular frames. 4. Setting up 2 shelves at the bottom of the frame keeps the main frame stable. 5. Two shelves can be positioned in the middle and one can be placed on the top. 6. Cut a rectangular piece off one side of the plastic can and drill a few holes on the other side to enable efficient drainage. 7. Fill each plastic can with the soil mix. 8. Place seeds or saplings inside the can. 9. Arrange the cans on the wooden shelves. 10. Water each can twice a day.
The following plants can be grown using this model Radish, lettuce, long beans, carrot, types of chilli and others.
3.2.6 Tyre Crop Tower Tyres prove to be a good material to be used in home gardening as it is a very strong object able to withstand a large weight and still holds its shape when stacked on top of each other. Its waterproof feature prevents soil erosion and seepage. Additional benefits of using tyres include the prevention of diseases spread by mosquitoes as a result of water retained in waste tyres.
You will need
d d d d
Tyres of three different sizes Bricks and coconut husks An old PVC pipe Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d d d d
Your choice of seeds and saplings A plastic pot Drilling machine A knife A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
35
How to set it up 1. Cut and remove one flat side of each tyre wall completely. 2. Place the large tyre on the bottom, and fill the tyre with the soil composition. 3. Place the medium-sized tyre on top of the large tyre and fill the tyre with the soil composition. 4. Place the smallest tyre at the very top and fill it with the soil composition. 5. Cut a hole on the bottom of the plastic pot. 6. Place the plastic pot on top of the smaller tyre and fill the pot with the soil composition. 7. Drill holes on the PVC pipe asymmetrically from top to bottom and insert the PVC pipe to the centre of the tyre tower. 8. Make a large circle by placing coconut husks around the circle. 9. Make a secondary, smaller circle at the centre of the large circle using bricks. 10. Fill each circle with the soil composition. 11. Place seeds or saplings on the circles, the tyres and on the plastic pot. 12. Pour water into the PVC pipe. Upon completion of the structure, a coconut shell can be used to cover the top of the pipe to prevent mosquito breeding, and the shell can also be used to water the tower periodically without having to water the whole structure.
The following plants can be grown using this model
It is recommended to use
Ground layer: Green chilli varieties, herbs.
utilisation as well as enhance
Second layer: Lettuce varieties, carrots,
the soil nutritional level.
beet, turnip varieties. Third layer: Salad varieties.
intercropping methods in order to optimise space
3.2.7 Lotus Tyre Crop Tower You will need
d d
Tyres Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d d d
Your choice of seeds and saplings
d
Sharp drilling knife Wooden rod
d
Gloves
Sharp iron rod
How to set it up 1. Cut the edge of the tyre into a zigzag shape (representing a lotus flower) on one side. 2. After the tyre is cut, turn the tyre inside out to form the lotus design. 3. Place the largest tyre at the bottom and fill it with the garden soil mixture. 4. The same procedure can be followed for a smaller tyre, which can be placed on top of the large one. The procedure can be repeated to the preferred height, although two layers are recommended for optimum yield and strength of the structure. It is important to note that the choice of plant must have a root system no longer than 6 inches deep for this design to have an optimum yield.
The following plants can be grown using this model Vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers .
3.2.8 Wall Sack Model You will need
d d d d
Used polythene or cloth sacks A needle and string A few wooden pallet planks Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
How to set it up
d
Your choice of seeds and saplings
1. Divide the sack into two sections by stitching vertically along the middle of the sack. 2. Cut small slots on the two sections. 3. Fill the two sections with the soil mix. 4. Stitch the top end of the sack, loop it around a wooden plank and stitch that end to the lower end of the sack. 5. Plant the saplings or seeds in the slots on the two separated parts of the sack. 6. Attach the sack to a wall with the aid of a wooden plank.
The following plants can be grown using this model Types of chilli and spinach 38
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
3.2.9 Barrel Crop Tower You will need
d
Used plastic barrel, old PVC pipe, piece of bamboo/wood plank
d d
Grinder and hot gun Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d
Your choice of seeds and saplings
How to set it up 1. Draw horizontal slots on the barrel to appropriate lengths leaving sufficient gaps in between. 2. Cut slots using the grinder and heat the area surrounding the slots with the hot gun and pull the bottom strip outwards using a piece of bamboo or wood. 3. Place a PVC pipe vertically at the centre and drill holes asymmetrically from top to bottom. Place end cap at the bottom. 4. Fill the bottom layer of the barrel with 4 inches of small pieces of brick to facilitate efficient drainage. 5. Fill the barrel with the soil mix. 6. Place the seeds or saplings inside the slots and on top of the barrel. 7. Pour water into the PVC pipe twice a day. The triangular base made with pallets is optional.
The following plants can be grown using this model Radish, lettuce, long beans and types of chili 40
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
3.2.10 V Rack You will need
d d d d
Wooden pallet planks Four 2x2 wooden bars Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust Your choice of seeds and saplings
How to set it up 1. Cut off two small triangles from both ends of two wooden planks. 2. Place the wooden planks horizontally on the V-shaped edges of the two notched planks to make shelves. 3. Attach wooden pallet planks to the empty spaces between the horizontally-placed wooden planks. 4. Make a small wooden frame using pallet planks. 5. Build a pallet bed using pallet planks and place it on the ground. 6. Fill the pallet bed with the soil mix. 7. Place the wooden frame in the middle of the pallet bed and fill it with the soil mix. 8. Place the V Rack at the centre of the wooden frame. 9. Fill each shelf on the V Rack with the soil composition. 10. Plant the seeds or saplings in each shelf of the V Rack, on the smaller box and the pallet bed. 11. Water twice a day.
The following plants can be grown using this model Mukunuwenna, water spinach (kankun), centella (gotukola), types of chili, types of cabbage (athugowa), spinach 42
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
3.2.11 Waga Thepawa You will need
d d d
Waste pallet planks and nails Three 2x2 wooden bars Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d
Your choice of seeds and saplings
How to set it up 1. Build a tripod using the three 2x2 wooden bars. 2. Build three triangular frames using the pallet planks. Different sized pallet planks can be used for this with the largest at the bottom and smallest at the top. Make sure to leave sufficient gaps in between. 3. Slide the large triangular frame to the bottom, the medium one to the middle and place the smaller one at the top as a part of the tripod. 4. Cover the base of each frame as completely as possible using planks which that were cut to size. Leave a few small gaps for efficient drainage. 5. Fill each box with the soil mix. 6. Place coconut husks around the base of the tripod and fill it with soil. 7. Place seeds and saplings in each triangular box. 8. Water twice a day.
The following plants can be grown using this model Radish, lettuce, long beans, carrot, types of chilli and leeks
3.2.12 Plastic bottles fence
You will need
d d d
Old plastic bottles Wire, paper cutter or knife, nail Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust
d
Your choice of seeds and saplings
How to set it up 1. Cut off the bottom of the bottle using a paper cutter/sharp knife. 2. Pierce small holes on the lid using a heated nail or sharp object. 3. Fill the bottle with a thin layer of coir dust and fill it up with soil (made to the above composition). 4. Attach bottles to mesh fence using wire. 5. Plants seeds or saplings depending on your requirement. 6. Alternatively, if you don’t have a mesh fence, you can set up a structure using an old GI pipe and mesh. 7. Water the plants twice a day.
The following plants can be grown using this model Radish, green leaves, herbs, lettuce, long beans, carrot and types of chilli
3.2.13 Green-wall Tyre System You will need
d d d d
Large tyres Soil mix made with equal parts compost, top soil and coir dust Your choice of seeds and saplings Drilling machine
d
Bolts
How to set it up 1. Place the tyres vertically with 3 large tyres at the bottom, followed by two on the second layer, and finally another at the top. 2. For this structure, cutting into the inside of the tyre is not required as the face of the tyres will be useful for soil retention. 3. Drill a hole at the bottom of the tyres on the first layer for the excess waste water to drain out. 4. Join each tyre to one another with two bolts each to strengthen the overall structure. 5. Drill a half-inch hole on top of each tyre to provide a drip irrigation system where water from the top drips to the layers on the bottom. 6. Constant watering is not necessary with this type of structure. 7. Drip pipes can be installed for auto-watering of the structure.
The following plants can be grown using this model All varieties of plants can be grown using this model, ranging from herbs and beans to tomatoes and lettuce varieties. Climbers are especially recommended for this structure. It is important to note that the choice of plant must have a root system no longer than 6 inches deep for this design to have an optimum yield.
s 4.
Organic
Inputs
i
h
s
Organic inputs are biodegradable matter obtained from the environment. It could include leaf litter from the garden, kitchen waste, or manure. The decomposition of these materials can be used to prepare organic fertiliser. The nutrients in these preparations can be enhanced by adding other commercially-bought organic additions such as dolomite or kieserite and rock phosphate (ERP). Mixing 1kg of this to 50kg of organic detritus (1:50 ratio) is recommended. Moreover, other organic inputs can also be added.
These include:
d
Dry compost
(Heap method & Faith garden)
d d d d
Starter solution Earthworm compost Earthworm solution Liquid fertilizer using
manure and green leaves A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
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4.1 Heap method You will need Green leaves and dry leaves, cow manure, ash, rock phosphate and lime, water, pre-made compost that has partially decomposed.
How to set it up 1. Locate a dry area in your garden which doesn’t get any direct sunlight and dig a hole of about 4 x 4 x 2 feet. 2. Make a slurry of cow dung with water and mix it with some pre-made compost and line the bottom of the hole with this mixture. 3. Mix in 6 inches of dry leaves followed by another six inches of green leaves and repeat the steps until the hole is filled up.
4. Keep the opening of the hole covered with a black sheet of polythene and after 2 weeks, if the compost heap is dry, moisten it with the prepared slurry, mix the heap and leave for a month. 5. Repeat the previous step twice and moisten the mixture as required.
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Black sheet of polythene
Leafy matter Cow dung mixed with water and some pre-made compost Soil
After 2 weeks, if the compost heap is dry, moisten it with the prepared slurry.
If you require compost in a matter of weeks, the plant material can be cut up into smaller pieces and stacked in shorter layers. The mixing would be done after 3rd, 6th and 9th day after preparation, with the slurry added for moisture. The compost will be ready for use on the 12th day.
4.2 Faith Garden (Food Always in the Home) Food waste, kitchen scraps and leaf litter from the garden can be used to make your own organic fertiliser for free. Homemade compost can be used as an effective soil additive and fertiliser that is rich in nutrients. It can be mixed into soil when planting.
You will need The simplest way to make your own compost is by collecting your household and garden refuse. This could include food remains, tea and coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, grass cuttings, coconut husks, dried leaf litter and small twigs. This green and brown waste is rich in nitrogen and carbon. You can also use cow dung and a little old compost if available.
How to set it up 1. You can either use an old garbage bin with holes drilled into it or build a fenced pile using old scraps, wood or wire mesh if space permits. 2. Place materials like twigs, dried leaves and coconut husks at the bottom. These help with air circulation. 3. Add a layer of household waste materials, followed by a little more damp soil and leafy matter. It is important to wet each layer. 4. You can keep adding to the bin or pile and remember to water regularly. 5. Continue to turn the contents of the pile with a stick or a shovel every couple of weeks. This will enable the microorganisms and the worms and other creatures in the soil to turn the contents of the bin into compost over the course of a few months. 52
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Household waste materials Leafy matter Damp soil Household waste materials Twigs, dried leaves and coconut husks
Keep adding to the bin or pile and remember to water regularly.
Turn the contents of the pile with a stick or a shovel every couple of weeks.
4.3 Starter Solution This liquid is used to increase the microbial activity in the soil, which in turn will increase the plant’s productivity.
You will need Cow manure (20kg), livestock urine (20 litres), sugar cane jaggery (2kg) or molasses (2 bottles) and 20 litres of water.
How to set it up 1. Mix the ingredients in a cement, clay or plastic container. Metal containers are not advised due to the chances of undesired chemical activity that may be triggered.
Sugar cane jaggery (2kg)
Gram powder (1kg) Molasses (2 bottles)
2. Cover the opening with a cotton cloth and leave for 24 - 72 hours. 3. Mix the composition every morning and evening daily. 4. Strain this mixture using a cotton cloth and the remaining pulp can be used as compost.
Livestock urine (20 litres) Cow manure (20kg)
Mix the composition every morning and evening daily.
Use
Water (10l)
Solution (1l)
5. Dilute 1 part of the solution with 10 parts water prior to use. This can be used for up to 1 acre of land. This Starter Solution has a short lifespan, and will only last up to 2-3 days. If left in the container for a longer period, microorganisms will die and be of no use for fertilising purposes.
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55
4.4 Wormy Compost This concoction uses the natural development of earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) to cultivate microorganisms required for effective composting.
Collection of earthworms Pick an area with dense, moist soil with a small quantity of cow dung and spray molasses mixed with water and cover it up with a cloth.
A number of earthworms will have emerged by the next morning.
How to set it up 1. Add approximately 300 earthworms to a plastic, cement, or clay container with partially decomposed compost filling 3/4th of the container. 2. Keep the container in a dry location, away from direct sunlight, but spray water on the top daily to keep the compost moist. 56
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
Collection of compost When it is time to collect the compost, stop watering the container. The earthworms will then move to the moist soil at the bottom. Compost can be collected from the top for usage, and more partially decomposed compost can be added
300 earthworms
to fill the container so that the earthworms can restart the process. This compost is high in carbon and nitrogen and is better for plants than artificially-produced fertilisers.
Tip Add cow manure, curd and jaggery to increase the population of the earthworms.
Spray water on the top daily.
4.5 Wormy Wash Similar to the Wormy Compost, this organic fertiliser collects the excrement of earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) in liquid form as nutrients for crops.
How to set it up Leaves, hay, and other biodegradables
At the site, set up a large plastic bin holding (bottom to top): 6 inches of crushed brick, 6 inches of sand, 14 inches of compost,
Cow manure and earthworms
2 inches of cow manure and earthworms topped off with 4 inches of leaves, hay, and other biodegradables. A tap can
Compost
be fixed at the bottom of the container to collect the solution. Sand
How to use Spray the contents at the top of the
Crushed brick
barrel with water several times a day, or use a drip method if possible. A faucet is attached to the bottom of the bin, and this can be used to release the fluid collected after 15 days. Dilute 1 litre of fluid with 10 litres of water (8 litres if it is during the rainy season) prior to using as plant fertilser. Water (10l) 58
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
Solution (1l)
4.6 Liquid Fertiliser This mixture is a combination of various kinds of green leaves, cow manure and water, all added into a non-metallic container. It is covered and left for three days, and is mixed occasionally during the course of 21 days. Once the foaming stops, it is no longer necessary to mix the material, and the foul smelling yet completely organic concoction is ready to fertilise your garden.
You will need
d d d d d
100 litres of water A plastic barrel
Cow manur( 5kg)
5 kg of cow manure 4-6 sugar cane shoots Sugar cane
10 kg of 15 varieties of plant leaves: Gliricidia, Winged bean (Dambala), Kathurumurunga, Kapparawalliya, Wild
Leaves (10 kg)
Sunflowers, Kappettiya, Nika, Adathodaa, Kohomba, Araliya, Kahabiliya, Edaru, Gadhapaana, Ipil ipil, lemon.
Water (10l)
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59
How to 1. Leave the sugar cane shoots on the ground for 2 days prior to making the liquid. 2. Cut the leaves in to small pieces. 3. Pour water in to the barrel and add the cow manure. 4. Mix the cow manure with water. 5. Add the chopped up leaves into the barrel. 6. Add the sugar cane shoots in to the barrel and mix again. 7. Mix the fertilizer composition once every 3 days 8. The liquid fertiliser can be used after 21 days.
Mix once every 3 days
How to use Mix 1 litre of liquid fertiliser with 6 litres of water (1:6) and apply the liquid mix once a week.
Water (6l) 60
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
Solution (1l)
z
h z
f
5.
Organic Pest Control
Pest control interventions are not required up until about a year and a half after commencing organic cultivation. This is due to the fact that the beneficial creatures combat the harmful ones. For example, snails are picked off by coucals, while il messas are consumed by dragon flies. Moreover, instead of using toxic chemical repellents, organic alternatives made using local herbs and spices can be utilised until these beneficial insects visit the plants. Methods for concocting these are described below. Similarly, some plants act as insect repellents, and these can be grown alongside the principal crop to deter pests. Examples include planting a few coriander plants with chili, or planting wild ginger with brinjals.
5.1 Growing Plants that are a Natural Deterrent The smell or taste of certain plants discourages insects. These could include herbs such as basil, coriander, dill, fennel, peppermint, spearmint and citronella grass which are also of practical use.
5.2 Margosa (Neem) Seed Solution Take 40-50g of carefully cleaned Margosa seeds and crush them into a fine powder. Add one litre of water and mix well. Place the mixture in a clay pot, cover it with a cloth, and leave it in a dark room for 12-24 hours. Then, filter the mixture well and mix in soap water. On a dry evening, spray this mixture on/around your plot. This will eliminate insects that attack the external parts of the plant (leaves, flowers, fruit) and will not affect the plant or soil negatively.
5.3 Margosa (Neem) Juice In a clay pot, mix 1kg-2kg of Margosa leaves in three litres of water. Cover the opening and place in a dark room for three days. Filter and mix with soap water and spray as desired. This will also eliminate insects that attack the external parts of the plant and keep flies, cockroaches, fleas and other similar insects away.
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5.4 Margosa (Neem) + Cinnamon + Garlic mixture Mix 2tsp of margosa oil, 2tsp of cinnamon oil, 5-6 cloves of crushed garlic into two litres of water. Filter the mixture to remove the pieces of garlic and mix it with soap water and spray as desired.
5.5 Kerosene oil + Cinnamon + Garlic Mixture Lightly crush 250g of garlic and 250g-300g of cinnamon leaves. Mix this in approximately 400ml of kerosene oil and leave for 24 hours. Mix ¼ of a bar of soap in one litre of water and then add to the kerosene mixture. Due to its high potency, take 2tsp of the mixture and dilute it with another litre of water and spray as desired. Using organic manure and other naturally-sourced plant nutrients can also help in cutting back on the use of fertilisers.
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5.6 Setting up an Insect Trap You will need
d d d d
Yellow polythene (bright yellow attracts insects) Wooden plank pieces Grease An oil lamp
Grease Yellow polythene Light source Wooden frame Water
How to 1. Build a box frame with four legs or a stand using the wooden planks. 2. Wrap the box with yellow polythene. 3. Apply grease on the outside of the yellow polythene. 4. Place the structure at the centre of your garden. Carefully placing an oil lamp or a lantern inside the trap box is optional. A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
65
z
6.
Responsible Garden Maintaining
u
n
a
a
6.1 Water Conservation in Your Home Garden Maintaining a home garden can be a rewarding hobby and a simple and economical means of growing your own herbs, fruits and vegetables. Regular watering is essential to the health of plants. However, it is important to bear in mind that plants must be given the right amount of both water and nutrients to thrive, and over-watering your plants can be as damaging as underwatering them. Over-watering is a waste of a valuable natural resource and adds an unnecessary cost to household utility expenses.
6.2 Water Saving Tips for Home Gardening d
Learn about the specific water needs of your plants and water them accordingly as requirements vary significantly. This is useful in choosing where to plant certain varieties and can help you group plants according to their watering needs.
d
Adjust your watering in line with seasonal weather patterns. Where possible choose native plant varieties which are suited to the climate and require little upkeep.
d
Make sure to water around the base of the plant as water is absorbed by the roots. Note that watering a little and often does not help with plant growth since the water must be absorbed into the soil. Deep but less frequent watering benefits plants more.
d
Choose a watering can or hose pipe with a low-pressure sprinkler nozzle to water your plants to reduce wastage.
d
Water your garden before 8am in the morning or after 4pm in the evening to minimize loss through evaporation.
d
Use compost with household and garden waste including grass clippings and leaf litter which fertilises the plants and helps the soil retain moisture.
d
Weed control is also essential to ensure that the water and nutrients added to the soil benefit the intended plants.
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6.3 Beautification Ornamental Home Gardening Vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices with decorative leaves can not only benefit a household in terms of nutrition and income, but can also lend themselves to beautifying outdoor spaces. There are many such plants with ornamental leaves, flowers, fruits and pods. For example, mukunuwenna (sessile joy weed / dwarf copperleaf ) has colourful dark green, light green, red, and yellow varieties. Similarly, types of thampala (Amaranth), cinnamon, asamodagam (carom), ginger, velmi (liquorices) and other herbs, hathawariya (wild asparagus), kapparawalliya (country borage), spinach, types of leeks, cabbage and salad leaves can serve a decorative purpose. This can be a very satisfying and beneficial experience for the gardener.
6.4 Promoting Biodiversity Conservation Within the Home Garden How to Create a Butterfly Garden Many natural butterfly habitats have been lost due to human activities like building and roads, cultivation, and deforestation. Creating a butterfly garden is an easy way to invite butterflies and spot them right from your doorstep. You are also helping in the conservation of these beautiful creatures. It is as easy as growing the right kind of plants to which they are attracted to increase the number and diversity of butterflies in your garden.
Step 1 First, find out what type of butterflies appear in your neighborhood. This will help you determine the Butterfly Nectar Plants and Butterfly Host Plants, which will be useful for you when creating your butterfly garden.
Step 2 After you get an idea of what types of butterflies are found in your neighborhood, choose the site of your butterfly garden carefully. Butterflies like sunny places. Therefore, look for a relatively sunny spot with some shelter as your garden space.
Step 3 Carefully select plants for your garden. Butterflies need two types of plants to complete their life. Most adult butterflies feed on flower nectar for nutrition. Host plant or larval food sources help keep butterflies in the garden for longer periods. Host plants, also called feeding plants, are the major determinant of butterflies since these are the feeding plants for butterflies in their larva stage. 72
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
A list of nectar and host plants is given below. Pick from this list to plant in your butterfly garden.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
Botanical Name
Sinhala Name
Dredge solubilise Calotropis gigantean Aistolochia indica Abrus precatorius Aegle marmelos Annona muricata Flacoutia Indica Bamboo Nerium oleander Asclepia curassavica Palm (Red Palm) Palm (cane Palm) Bryophyllum calycinum Cassia fistula Mangifera indica Litsea glutinosa Crataeva religiosa Flacourtia indica Ixora sp. (Red yellow) Ixora coccinea Limonia acidissima Citrus Limon Murraya koenigii Sesbania grandiflora Cassia didymobotrya Cassia tora Mussaenda Cassia momosoides Passiflora foetida Cycass spp Cycass spp Ficus hispida Cinnamomum zeylanicum
wÕ=K Jrd imai| U,s| je,a fn,s wfkdaod wfkdaod Ng lfkare lka l=U,
wlalmdk weye, wU fndaUq ,qKq jrK W.=/iaid udoka r;au,a osjq,a foys fodvï$ f,uka lrmsxpd l;=re uqrex.d we;af;dar meks f;dar uqiajekak f;dar oe,angq
Indian Madu Uvq fldg lsUq, l=re÷
List of nectar plants (Scientific Name and the Common name) for the butterfly Garden
Botanical Name 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
Sinhala Name
Stachytarpheta n¨kl=g Walidda antidysenterica Boao Heliotropium indicm we;afyd~ Elephantopus scaber we;a wä Catharanthus roseus ñkSu,a Zinnia Iskshd Duranta repens Pentas lanceolata Tagetes patula oyia fm;s Murraya peniculata Clerodendrum Mskak infortunatum
Step 4 After studying the list of host and nectar plants, decide which plants are suitable for your garden. Then sketch a plan. The following example, created using plants from the lists above, may be helpful. This sample butterfly garden has a large variety of host plants. Butterflies are sensitive to pesticides and can even be harmed by chemicals meant to control other insect species so don’t use pesticides in your garden. If you have rich plant diversity in your garden, you most probably won’t need to use pesticides.
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A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
s
Crop Life Cycles
h
r
s
Species/Family
Life span of the crop
Yala season
Maha Season
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Solanaceae Heeen Miris
150 days
Maalu miris/ Capsicum
150 days
Kochchi/Crow Chilli
150 days
Thakkali/ Tomato
135 days
Wambatu/ Brinjal
130-140 days
Elabatu/egg plant
130-140 days
Solanum melongena
Leguminosae Bonchi/Beans
90 days
Phaseolus vulgaris
Maa Karal/ Long beans
90 days
Vigna unguiculata
Dambala/Kiridambala Winged bean
90-120 days
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
Alanga
90 days
Phaseolus vulgaris
Cowpea/black eyed pea
90 days
Vignaunguiculata unguiculata
Mung/Green Gram
75 days
Vigna radiata
Rata kaju/Pea nuts
110 days
Arachis hypogaea
Cucubetaceae Labu/Bottle Gourd
120-150 days
Lagenaria siceraria
Wattakka/Pumpkin
120-150 days
Cucurbita maxima
Puhul/wax Gourd
120-150 days
Benincasa hispida
Watakolu/Ridged Gourd Luffa acutangula
120 days
78
Species/Family
Life span of the crop
Yala season
Maha Season
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Cucubetaceae Kakiri/melon
120 days
Cucumis melo
Pipinya/Cucumber
130 days
Cucumis sativus
Pathola/Snake Gourd
100 days
Cucumis sativus
Karawila/Bitter Gour
100 days
Momordica charantia
Malvaceae Bandakka/Okra
90 days
Abelmoschus esculentus
Brassicaceae Gowa/Cabbage
120-150 days
Brassica oleracea
Athu Gowa Mal Gowa/ Cauliflower
120-150 days 100 days
Brassica oleracea Botrytis cultivar group
Rabu/Radish
60 days
Raphanus sativus
Nocole
70 days
Chenopodiaceae Niwithi/Spinach
30-50 days
Spinacea oleracea
Compositae/asteraceae Salada kola/Salad leaves lettuce Lactuca sativa
20-30 days
Lamiaceae Minchi/Mint Mentha spicata
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Gardening
1 year
Species/Family
Life span of the crop
Yala season
Maha Season
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Amaranthaceae Thampala/Red Amaranthus
20-25 days
Amaranthus oleraceus
Mukunuwanna
1 year
Alternanthera sessilis
Rutaceae Karapincha/curry leaves
days
Murraya koenigii
Graminaceae/Graminae/Poaceae Bada Iringu/ corn
115 days
Zeamays indentata
Idal Iringu
140 days
Apiaceae Gotukola
1 year
Centella asiatica
Carrots
100 days
Daucus carota
Zingiberaceae Inguru/ginger
20-30 days
Zingiber officinale
Kaha/Turmeric
1 year
Curcuma longa
Euphorbiaceae Mayiyokka/Cassava
1 year
Manihot esculenta
Erevuceae/Araceae Kohila
5 years
Lasia spinosa
Kiri Ala
8 - 10 years
Species/Family
Life span of the crop
Yala season
Maha Season
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Cannaceae Buthsarana
6-8 months
Canna indica
Asteraceae Artichoke
6-8 months
Cynara scolymus
Aralontha
6-8 months
Aizoaceae Sarana
20 days
Trianthema portula
Ganda-pala
30 days
Convolvuaceae Kankung/ water spinach
180days
Ipomoea aquatica
Mukunuwenna
1 year
Alternanthera sessilis
Anacardiaceae Ambarella
180 days
Spondias cytherea
Caricaceae Gas labu/Papaw
3 years
Carica papaya
Musaceae Kehel/Banana
330 days
Musa Cultivars
Allium Neera Leeks
180 days
Lasia spinosa
Red Onions Wanduru mala
105 days 4-5 months