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FEATURE

RE-USING BAGS TO GROW CROPS

BY NADIA ARAYA, SUNETTE LAURIE, MDUDUZI SITHOLE AND WILLEM JANSEN VAN RENSBURG
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL – VEGETABLE, INDUSTRIAL AND MEDICINAL PLANTS

In South Africa, maize meal bags are usually produced from high density
polypropylene or polyethylene material. These are strong, long-lasting, non-toxic

and non-reactive types of plastic that can safely be used in the food and beverage
industry to store goods for consumption.

As a result of these human and
environmentally friendly properties, maize
meal bags have become one of the most
recycled polymers. Over the years, the
Agricultural Research Council (ARC), in
partnership with several local institutions
such as the Water Research Commission
(WRC), the Department of Science and
Innovation (DSI), the National Research
Foundation (NRF) and the University of
Pretoria (UP), has explored the potential of
reusing old maize meal bags for growing
a range of crops without having to worry
about the availability of fertile land. This
maize meal bag production system (Figure
1) has been found to be particularly useful
in South African urban areas where the
availability of good soil and water for
household crop production is very limited.

Various crops can be successfully grown in
maize meal bags, including herbs (sweet Figure 1: Swiss chard (left) and cabbage (right) production using old maize meal bags.
basil, parsley, mint and rocket), vegetables
(Swiss chard, Chinese cabbage, spring
onion, beetroot, lettuce and kale), and produce their own seedlings using a The process of seedling production
medicinal plants (turmeric and ginger). To particular variety of their own choice; this must start a few weeks earlier than the
ensure adequate crop establishment and will save money and achieve the desired anticipated planting time, as it will take
uniform growth, household gardeners production quality. It is necessary to about six weeks for the seeds to grow
are advised to grow their crops using choose the right time of the year for seeds into seedlings that are large enough to
seedlings rather than seeds or cuttings. of a specific crop to germinate and grow be transplanted. To ensure the successful
Seedlings can be expensive if bought into seedlings. Figure 2 illustrates a variety establishment of seedlings, it is advisable
in small quantities so to overcome this of seedlings that household growers can to use fresh seeds, as old ones will take
challenge, household gardeners can grow by themselves. longer to germinate. Household growers
can follow the planting schedules printed
on the seed packets or planting calendars
as a guideline. The process of seedling
Figure 2: Seedlings of Swiss chard, kale and Chinese cabbage produced by a commercial nursery and production is quite simple and can be
donated to the Imvelo Food Garden completed in a few steps:

(1) Select the right crop and variety
according to individual preferences,
prevailing weather conditions, and
suitability to grow it in a bag system.
Some varieties grow bigger than
others. Choose a crop and variety
that has relatively shallow roots, short
stems/branches, forms large amounts
of leaves and does not reproduce by
extending shoots from the main plant.
(2) Use a container and a growing medium
in which to grow the seedlings. Plastic
or polystyrene seedling trays work
well, but if not available, household

10 Landscape SA • Issue 117 2022