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FEATURE

gardeners can use egg cartons or any
other suitable container. Commercial
seedling mixes are available, but any
medium which will retain moisture
(e.g. sawdust) can also be used.
The growing medium needs to be
moistened before filling the seedling
tray (container).

(3) Sow the seed into the seedling trays.
The seed may be soaked overnight
before planting, however this is not
essential. Seed sowing should not
be too deep or too shallow and the
seedling tray should be kept moist
after planting the seed. Be careful not
to overwater as this will lead to rotting
of the seed and seedlings.

(4) Keep the seedling tray with seeds in a
warm place to speed up germination.
The seed will start to germinate in
two to seven days, but some may take Figure 3: Members of the Imvelo Food Garden sowing the seeds into trays (top), which, after approximately
longer. Keep the young seedlings six weeks have grown into seedlings ready to be transplanted into the maize meal bag system (bottom).
moist and in good light to facilitate
healthy growth. Tall, lengthy seedlings
are an indication of too little light.
Monitor the seedlings for any signs
of pests and diseases and remove the
affected seedlings immediately.

(5) Once the seedlings have grown bigger,
place the trays outside to help them
acclimatise to external environmental
conditions. The seedlings will be ready
to be transplanted once they have four
or more healthy leaves. This is usually
achieved after six weeks from sowing.
Figure 3 illustrates the production
process from seed to seedling.

Imvelo Food Garden
The ARC, through the implementation of
the Imvelo Food Garden project and in
collaboration with UP, has promoted the
use of the maize meal bag system within
the Cemetery View informal settlement
(Woodlands, Pretoria), which houses
approximately 700 households - mainly
immigrants from Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Twenty five vulnerable women were
equipped with skills, taking them to
economic independence, food security
and improved personal health. The training
included seedling production, as well as
preparing and planting in empty maize
meal bags (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Women being trained by the ARC at the
Imvelo Food Garden in the planting and watering
of vegetables in maize meal bags. The Cemetery
View community is visible at the back.

Landscape SA • Issue 117 2022 11