Please see the photos at the bottom as well.

Content

I. Open Garden

    Water supply and irrigation

II. Veggie-tunnel

    Irrigation System

    Caging

III. Middle Garden Trial Irrigation

IV. Budget

V. Conclusions

I. Open Garden (Ladies Garden)

Water Supply and Irrigation

The ladies garden which received an irrigation system installation around December last year underwent some new changes, to use to the new river water pump that was installed.

This means that we had to change the old connections that received water from Anton’s water tank, to be able to receive water from the new river pump on the barge. In the past the micro spinners were divided into 4 blocks (see the photo of all the taps) to allow a good flow of water since the pump could not drive all 60 micro spinners at once. But with the new pump installed, we are able to drive all 60 micro spinners at once, without the control of taps.

The water supply to the house tanks was also changed from low pressure to high pressure.

II. Veggie tunnels

Irrigation System

The 7 veggie tunnels that are currently standing at DiHokoHoko, received an irrigation system with the same micro spinners as to the ladies garden. Each tunnel got a control tap that stands right in front of the tunnel, as you enter it. Each tunnel of 9 m has 3 micro spinners and the two that are 12 and 14 m got 4 and 5 micro spinners respectively. The irrigation system that was installed in the 7 tunnels is running at the same time as the middle garden. As the water is pumped from the river it goes with a 40 mm pipe straight to the tunnels and the middle garden, no tanks, no intermediate pumps.

Caging

With our recent discovery made at Hope Village we decided to start caging the veggie tunnels so that they could be standing without stay wires. In the past they were supported by two stay wires at the front and the back. The seven tunnels were all caged as Emmanuel showed the locals how to.

After the planting of the beetroots, the planting bags will be removed and then we will begin to plant directly into the ground using organic compost only.

III. Open Garden Trail Irrigation (Middle Garden)

As part of the planning planned for the middle garden which we call the open garden as well, we implemented an irrigation system with 8 netafin sprinklers in one straight line. They are 4 meter apart over a stretch of 74 meter. This circles around the irrigation system sprinklers will be planted and managed by Anton for the purpose of research and experience. The irrigation system is also fed by the river pump.

IV. Budget Spent

A total amount of N$ 32 000 was spent to this trip

This include

Pipes for the caging of the 7 tunnels and their connectors

Sprinklers

Water Tank

Labor Cost

Transportation

High Pressure pipes for the irrigation system and the water supply to the houses

V. Conclusions

As part of the preparations for the next planting cycles, Emmanuel had a discussion with Anton about compost production every season and planting cycles. This means that he will be very busy producing compost for the next planting of the middle garden.

Anton will also manage the irrigation of the 7 tunnels until the beetroots come to an end and then we will plant straight into the ground.

Report by

                  Emmanuel Muyumba

                  Trainer of Trainers in Urban Horticulture

                  Hope Village Namibia

                  +264813899866

                  PO Box 4774

                  Windhoek

                  Namibia