With the rising inflation in our country, many people including myself thought of growing food ourselves in order to save money. The challenge though was that there were too many people turning into farming these days, that made finding a good piece of land became very difficult. In my search for farming land, I moved around tirelessly going from one person to another asking whether they had any free plot for rent. But every time I felt disappointed after learning that all the opportunities were already occupied. We became like captives who could not escape from expensive meals.
A Glimmer of Hope
In my desperate search for a solution, I went back to my building construction site where work had stopped. It was only the foundation that had been laid but there was this open space which remained untouched. Then it crossed my mind-what if I used this area as a temporary farm? Even though it would not be an actual farm, having something on it is better than absolutely nothing at all while we continue spending money for basic needs.
Prepping the Land and Making Yam Mounds
It was easy to clear the small area being a construction site. However, it felt good to remove weeds and brush that had grown there.
Over four evenings, I dug the mounds out and it was really difficult. In the evening when the sun started going down after work, I would begin. As my shovel sank deep into the soil, one mound piled onto another on top of my growing heap.
By nightfall I was dripping sweat and my aching back throbbed with pain but despite fatigue, watching these hills take form made it easier to continue on with them as they changed from bare patches to little mounds of black earth.
The last evening came when only a few mounds were left unfinished by dusk. The last ones were dug out with whatever energy I had left in me. As stars started twinkling in the sky, gazing at what four days of labor had achieved let me realize how much hard work can be done in just four days. Pride swelled up inside me as I saw what lay before my eyes
Yam Type Selection
So, having missed the regular planting period, our options for thriving crops are somehow limited now. For this reason I had already placed an order for a specific type that suits well in the current situation, it will be here on Saturday, just two days from today. As soon as it arrives, we can then get down to work and fill these piles with tubers henceforth.
Let’s Plant Something
I planted a few other crops around the heaps while waiting for the unique yam variety to arrive this coming weekend. I have just found some locally obtained maize seeds and bought several packets of different vegetable seeds so no need to wait for an order.
Now, each yam heap has its own maize and vegetables all safely buried inside waiting for rain to make them sprout. With the wet season ahead, let us hope we see some green shoots rising up within a couple of days ready to play their roles. After planting those yams over this weekend our little homestead will be complete at least for the time being.
The heaps are now surrounded with maize and other vegetables. This coming Saturday we have to fill up the mounds with what we call a special yam variety.
The day is near and there is an increasing buzz in the air.
I have been able to think about this small home farming experiment in the past few days. With this little farm even if it means growing a few of my own foodstuffs, my fingers are crossed. We could have an abundant harvest provided we tend it well and God chips in with some rain.
In any case, I am proud of myself for trying to grow our food during hard economic times. Yes, nothing works all the time but doing nothing will never work out. It’s not like it will be enough to keep us going after construction resumes on the site, though we may sustain ourselves on that plot should we look after it well enough.
I am getting anxious for the weekend to come so that we can finally plant these yams. The coming rains shall bring forth new crops as each day goes by. I’ll update you on the development of the humble homestead.
All the attached pictures were taken with my Infinix Hot 8 android phone.
Thanks for reading!