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25 guidesPurslane
As a food Of course! Let’s explore the wonderful world of purslane—a versatile and nutritious plant that has much to offer in a homestead setting. What is Purslane? Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a special plant known for its succulent and slightly lemony leaves. It’s considered an edible weed and is often found in gardens, lawns, […]
Sugar Cane
Let’s dive into how to grow sugar cane in an arid desert and explore its benefits for a small farm, focusing on water-saving techniques: How to Grow Sugar Cane in an Arid Desert: Step 1: Find the Right Spot: Look for a sunny area in your farm that gets plenty of sunlight. Sugar cane loves […]
Alfalfa – Luzerne
About Alfalfa Let’s explore what alfalfa is and how it can be useful on a small farm: What is Alfalfa? Alfalfa is a fantastic and versatile plant also known as “lucerne.” It’s not just any ordinary grass; it’s a legume, which means it has special abilities that help improve the soil and benefit other crops […]
House fly maggots & meal
Making House fly maggot meal In short, house fly maggots can be easily grown, fed as maggots or made into a meal to feed chicken and fish. Let’s dive into more detail about using house fly maggot meal as a resource in a small homestead: What is House Fly Maggot Meal? House fly maggot meal […]
Spekboom
Growing spekboom Spekboom is a fascinating plant that has become quite popular for its environmental benefits. It’s also known as the “elephant bush” or “Portulacaria afra.” Let me explain it to you in a way that’s easy to understand. Spekboom is a special type of succulent plant, which means it stores water in its thick, […]
Sorghum
Let me tell you about sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in a way that’s easy to understand. What is Sorghum? Sorghum is a type of grain that’s super cool because it can grow really well in hot and dry places like parts of southern Africa. It’s like a superhero crop that can survive in tough conditions and […]
Opuntia farming
Prickly Pear Cactus Opuntia farming and its benefits Opuntia, commonly known as the prickly pear cactus, is a genus of cacti with over 200 species. These cacti are native to the Americas but have been introduced to many other regions worldwide due to their adaptability and useful properties. The prickly pear cactus is characterized by […]
Leucaena (Wonderboom)
The wonderboom Wonderboom (Leucaena leucocephala) The Wonderboom’s versatility and multiple uses contribute to sustainable agriculture, livestock management, and environmental conservation in various regions around the world. Seeding Leucaena Leucaena, commonly known as “Wonderboom” or Leucaena leucocephala, is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree often used in agroforestry, as fodder, and for soil improvement. Growing Leucaena from seed […]
Salvinia molesta (Kariba weed): a careful, contained option for village feed in dry Namibia?
Kariba Weed (Salvinia molesta) is a very fast-growing floating fern. In Namibia it is an alien invasive that causes problems in natural wetlands, especially in the Zambezi Region. But in our dry villages, it cannot survive outside water for long. With tight containment (tanks, filters, no leaks) and no chemicals, small communities can trial it […]
Lablab
Lablab (Lablab purpureus) in Arid Namibia: A Resilient and Multi-Purpose Crop Lablab (Lablab purpureus), also known as hyacinth bean or dolichos bean, is a highly adaptable legume that thrives in dry climates. It is valued for its ability to provide nutritious food for humans, forage for animals, and improve soil fertility. In Namibia’s arid regions, […]
Kalahari Melon (Tsjammas) – A Namibian Treasure for Food, Oil and Income
Introduction The Kalahari Melon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides)—known locally in Namibia as Tsjammas, Tsamma, or wild watermelon—is more than just a fruit of the wild. It is a plant of ancient heritage, drought resilience, and economic promise. Once overlooked as a subsistence food or livestock supplement, this underutilised crop is emerging as a commercially viable […]
Tree Lucerne – Tagasaste
Introduction Tagasaste (Cytisus proliferus), also known as Tree Lucerne, is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree originating from the Canary Islands. It has gained popularity in dry regions like Namibia as a high-protein livestock fodder crop, soil improver, and windbreak, especially on degraded or sandy soils. Why Tagasaste Matters Ideal Growing Conditions in Namibia […]