October is one of the hottest months of the year in Zambia. Therefore, maintaining the orchard’s productivity and soil health is more challenging. Also, the gardeners are prone to severe dehydration, so keep yourselves and the gardens well hydrated.
Harvests from Thriving low-maintenance plants
Drought-resistant and deep-rooted plants are still thriving. They include fig, sweet granadilla, prickly pear, paw paw, pepino, mango, muscadine grape, tamarind, pomegranate, and guava. blackberry, raspberry, elderberry, and cape gooseberry plants. With adequate watering, citrus, banana, grape, peach, and apples remain productive.
Plenty of produce in October
Nopales cacti, tree kales, salad tree varieties, Sorrel, Chaya and cassava are very productive this time of year. In addition, potted curry trees, celery, parsley, sage, lavender, basil, thyme, rosemary, coriander, chives, onion, and garlic thrive in dry heat.
Current challenges
Fruit drop and flower drying and dropping may lead to low or no yields. Wilted or dead seedlings, pest pressure for stressed plants, and rapidly multiplying weeds are the significant challenges just before the rains start.
Mulching and Watering
Water more frequently, once or twice a week, for ground and potted plants. Mulching to conserve soil moisture is a priority, as are continued pest prevention programs. Continue weeding to reduce pest hosts and competition for water and nutrients. Shade netting may be used to protect vulnerable or very young plants. Avoid transplanting new seedlings and trees for the next two weeks to avoid drying and heat stress if irrigation is not readily available.
After harvesting fruits, grass cuttings, banana stems, and old vegetable leaves are valuable mulching materials.
Other Possible Solutions
Long-term solutions include planting multiple canopy levels to provide protection from direct sun and to protect the soil. Also, growing more drought- and heat-tolerant crops ensures a continuous food supply.
Citrus, elderberry, and plum blossoms cover the trees in white flowers. The different heights of the plants ensure that the lower plants receive less intense dappled light. The flowers are protected from dry heat.
