Utete, TZ – ATN family garden – 3 October 2013

The ATN family has a son who is going to University in Dar es Salaam and his school requires that he has a laptop to access course books and materials.  The family is unable to afford a computer which can cost up to $450!  Through the Garden Loan Program the ATN family can qualify for a loan by maintaining their garden according to the following Better Lives best practice expectations:

Structure

• Pathways clear to give quick and easy access to the beds for weeding, watering and pest control
• Maximize the use of space in the beds with correct spacing between the plants
• Intercropping two or more vegetables on one bed to confuse pests, feed the soil, and produce more vegetables
• Permanent moringa and fruit trees placed around the garden where they will not shade the beds too much

Protection

• Fenced to protect against animals
• Insect controlling plants maintained in and around the garden
• Inter-cropping within beds to confuse the bugs
• Correct plant spacing because too close spacing provides attractive shelter for many types of pest
• Weeded, clean and clear pathways so that pests are not attracted by weeds

Productivity

• Beds and pathways weeded so that weeds do not consume plant food and water
• Beds watered
• Organic fertilizer sprayed on plants regularly to improve plant health and productivity
• Raised bed shape and sustainability maintained with applications of mulch, compost and rice hull charcoal to provide proper drainage so that plants will not be flooded when there is too much rain
• Relay planting vegetables of different harvest duration (3, 6 and 12 months) for continuous harvesting throughout the year, and risk management if one or more crop fails.

The ATN family applied for a Garden loan and their garden was assessed using the above best practices check list.  The local garden shop team found that she could improve her garden by adding more “Insect controlling plants maintained in and around the garden.”  Mama ATN responded immediately by planting lemon grass, marigolds and wild basil the day after they received the feedback.

Since she made the improvement so quickly and efficiently, her garden was approved for a Garden Loan!!  A Better Lives sponsor has loaned the money to the ATN family to buy their son a laptop for school.  We look forward to reporting on their son’s progress at University!