Food from Dryland Gardens - An Ecological, Nutritional, and Social Approach to Small Scale Household Food Production (CPFE, 1991): How to use this book: 1. Introduction: 1.3 The organization of this book

Food from Dryland Gardens - An Ecological, Nutritional, and Social Approach to Small Scale Household Food Production (CPFE, 1991)

(introduction...)

Preface

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How to use this book

(introduction...)

1. Introduction

(introduction...)

1.1 Some definitions

1.2 The purpose of this book

1.3 The organization of this book

Part I - Gardens as a development strategy

(introduction...)

References

2. Gardens and nutrition in drylands

(introduction...)

2.1 Summary

2.2 Recommended dietary allowances and the nutrient content of foods

2.3 Special nutritional needs in drylands

(introduction...)

2.3.1 Children’s Special Needs

2.3.2 Women’s Special Needs

2.3.3 Work

2.3.4 Illness

2.4 Energy

2.5 Protein

2.6 Vitamins

(introduction...)

2.6.1 Vitamin A

2.6.2 Vitamin D

2.6.3 Vitamin C

2.6.4 Folacin

2.6.5 Thiamin (B1)

2.6.6 Riboflavin (B2)

2.6.7 Niacin

2.7 Minerals

(introduction...)

2.7.1 Iron (Fe)

2.7.2 Zinc (Zn)

2.7.3 Calcium (Ca)

2.8 Fats

2.9 Fiber

2.10 Anti-Nutritients

2.11 The effects of gardens on nutrition

(introduction...)

2.11.1 Nutrient Yields from Gardens

2.11.2 Effects on Nutrition

2.12 Resources

References

3. Gardens, economics, and marketing

(introduction...)

3.1 Summary

3.2 People, households, and economics

(introduction...)

3.2.1 Production Efficiency

3.2.2 Economic Rationality and Risk

3.2.3 Control of Resources: Individual or the Group?

3.2.4 Economic Development and Well-Being

3.3 Garden economics

(introduction...)

3.3.1 Garden Yields

3.3.2 Income and Savings from Gardens

3.3.3 Household Well-Being

3.4 Marketing garden produce

(introduction...)

3.4.1 Women and Marketing

3.4.2 Risk, Investment, and Return

3.4.3 Cooperation

3.4.4 Garden Income and the Household

3.5 Resources

References

4. Assessment techniques

(introduction...)

4.1 Summary

4.2 Assessment, monitoring, and evaluation

4.3 From whose point of view?

(introduction...)

4.3.1 Assessment and Collaboration

4.3.2 Representativeness

4.3.3 Insiders and Outsiders

4.3.4 Participant Observation

4.3.5 Gardens for Whom?

4.4 What do existing gardens tell us?

4.5 Interviews

(introduction...)

4.5.1 Composing Questions

4.5.2 Translating and Back-Translating

4.5.3 Choosing a Sample

4.5.4 Pretesting

4.5.5 Conducting the Interview

4.5.6 Coding, Checking, and Analyzing

4.6 Seasonality

4.7 Food distribution and consumption

4.8 Maps

4.9 Long-term trends

4.10 Outside sources

4.11 Resources

References

Part II - Garden management

(introduction...)

References

5. How plants live and grow

(introduction...)

5.1 Summary

5.2 The vascular system in plants

(introduction...)

5.2.1 Roots

5.3 Photosynthesis

5.4 Transpiration

5.5 Coping with heat and drought

5.6 Salt tolerance

5.7 Seasonal constraints to plant growth

(introduction...)

5.7.1 Daylength Requirements

5.7.2 Temperature Requirements

5.8 Resources

References

6. Growing plants from seeds

(introduction...)

6.1 Summary

6.2 Sexual reproduction in plants

(introduction...)

6.2.1 Life Cycles

6.2.2 Flowering

6.2.3 Pollination

6.2.4 Fertilization

6.3 Seed germination and dormancy

6.4 Suggestions for planting seeds under dryland conditions

(introduction...)

6.4.1 Preparing the Seeds

6.4.2 Preparing the Planting Site

6.4.3 Planting the Seeds

6.4.4 Planting Density

6.4.5 Covering the Seeds

6.5 Caring for newly planted seeds and young seedlings

(introduction...)

6.5.1 Watering

6.5.2 Mulching and Shading

6.6 Diagnosing seed planting problems

(introduction...)

6.6.1 Testing Seed Germination

6.7 Thinning

6.8 Resources

References

7. Vegetative propagation

(introduction...)

7.1 Summary

7.2 Cuttings

(introduction...)

7.2.1 Trees

7.2.2 Perennial Herbs

7.2.3 Cassava.

7.2.4 Sweet Potatoes

7.3 Tubers, tuberous roots, and bulbs

7.4 Offsets

7.5 Suckers

7.6 Grafting

(introduction...)

7.6.1 Compatibility for Grafting

7.6.2 Effects of Stock and Scion on the Grafted Tree

7.6.3 Approach or Attached Scion

7.6.4 Budding

7.6.5 Apical Grafting

7.6.6 Topworking

7.7 Layering

(introduction...)

7.7.1 Simple Layering

7.7.2 Air Layering

7.8 Resources

References

8. Plant management

(introduction...)

8.1 Summary

8.2 Nursery beds and container planting

(introduction...)

8.2.1 Nursery Beds

8.2.2 Container Planting

8.2.3 When Direct Planting is Better

8.3 Planting sites and the sun

8.4 Transplanting

(introduction...)

8.4.1 Timing

8.4.2 The Site

8.4.3 Water

8.4.4 The Transplant

8.5 Plant interactions

(introduction...)

8.5.1 Mixed Planting

8.5.2 Allelopathic Plants

8.5.3 Crop Rotation

8.6 Weed management

(introduction...)

8.6.1 Resource Use

8.6.2 Effects on Pest Populations

8.6.3 Timing

8.6.4 Methods of Weed Control

8.7 Pruning

(introduction...)

8.7.1 Reasons to Prune

8.7.2 Guidelines for Pruning Trees

8.8 Trellising

8.9 Resources

References

9. Soils in the garden

(introduction...)

9.1 Summary

9.2 Soil and land-use classification

(introduction...)

9.2.1 Indigenous Classification Systems

9.2.2 The USDA Classification of Soils in Drylands

9.3 Physical properties of soils

(introduction...)

9.3.1 Soil Texture and Structure

9.3.2 Soil Porosity and Permeability

9.3.3 Soil Color

9.3.4 Soil Temperature

9.4 Soil profile and depth

9.5 Soils and plant nutrients

(introduction...)

9.5.1 Soil pH and Plant Nutrition

9.5.2 Nitrogen

9.5.3 Phosphorus and Potassium

9.5.4 Other Nutrients

9.6 Organic matter

(introduction...)

9.6.1 Animal Manures

9.6.2 Composting

9.7 Preventing soil erosion

(introduction...)

9.7.1 Decreasing Runoff

9.7.2 Decreasing Raindrop Impact

9.7.3 Increasing Soil Resistance to Erosion

9.7.4 Reducing Wind Erosion

9.8 Building garden beds

(introduction...)

9.8.1 Sunken Beds

9.8.2 Raised Beds

9.9 Resources

References

10. Water, soils, and plants

(introduction...)

10.1 Summary

10.2 Dryland garden water management

10.3 Water, soils, and plants

(introduction...)

10.3.1 Water Storage in the Soil

10.3.2 Water Movement in the Soil

10.3.3 Evaporation

10.3.4 Water Uptake and Transport by Plants

10.4 Soil water and garden yield

10.5 How much water?

10.6 Measuring water applied to the garden

10.7 When to water

10.8 Mulches, shades, and windbreaks

(introduction...)

10.8.1 Surface Mulches

10.8.2 Vertical Mulches

10.8.3 Windbreaks, Shades, and Cropping Patterns

10.9 Resources

References

11. Sources of water for the garden

(introduction...)

11.1 Summary

11.2 Water quality for plants

11.3 Water quality for people

11.4 Rain

(introduction...)

11.4.1 Rainfall Records

11.4.2 Measuring Rainfall

11.5 Harvesting rainwater for dryland gardens

(introduction...)

11.5.1 Patterns of Water Harvesting

11.5.2 Building on Local Knowledge

11.5.3 Catchments and Runoff

11.5.4 Estimating the Catchment to Garden Area Ratio

11.6 Harvesting stream flow and floodwater

(introduction...)

11.6.1 Water Spreading

11.6.2 Flood Recession Gardening

11.7 Groundwater and wells

(introduction...)

11.7.1 Groundwater

11.7.2 Locating a Well

11.7.3 Hand-Dug Wells

11.7.4 Small-Diameter Wells

11.8 Water storage

11.9 Resources

References

12. Irrigation and water-lifting

(introduction...)

12.1 Summary

12.2 Irrigation efficiency

12.3 Surface irrigation

(introduction...)

12.3.1 Transporting Water to the Garden

12.3.2 Basin Irrigation

12.3.3 Furrow Irrigation

12.3.4 Trickle Irrigation

12.4 Root zone irrigation

(introduction...)

12.4.1 Pitcher Irrigation

12.4.2 Water Table Irrigation

12.5 Sprinkler irrigation

12.6 Irrigation problems

(introduction...)

12.6.1 Waterlogging

12.6.2 Salinity

12.7 Water-lifting

(introduction...)

12.7.1 Lifting with Human and Animal Power

12.7.2 Lifting with Other Power Sources

12.8 Resources

References

13. Pest and disease management

(introduction...)

13.1 Summary

13.2 An ecological approach

(introduction...)

13.2.1 Pest and Disease Management by the Crop Plant

13.2.2 Environmental and Mechanical Management of Pests and Diseases

13.2.3 Pest and Disease Management Using Other Organisms

13.2.4 Pest and Disease Management with Chemicals

13.3 Examples of pest and disease management

(introduction...)

13.3.1 Insects

13.3.2 Nematodes

13.3.3 Large Animals as Pests

13.3.4 Diseases

13.4 Diagnosing pest and disease problems

(introduction...)

13.4.1 Wilts (Table 13.1 and Figure 13.26)

13.4.2 Leaf Problems (Table 13.2 and Figure 13.27)

13.4.3 Abnormal Growth (Table 13.3 and Figure 13.28)

13.4.4 Fruit Problems (Table 13.4 and Figure 13.29)

13.5 Resources

References

Part III - Garden harvest

(introduction...)

14. Saving seeds for planting

(introduction...)

14.1 Summary

14.2 Seeds, gardens, and diversity

(introduction...)

14.2.1 Diversity in the Seed

14.2.2 Diversity in the Garden

14.2.3 Conserving and Using Genetic Diversity: How and for Whom?

14.3 Seed saving

(introduction...)

14.3.1 Seed Harvest and Processing

14.3.2 Seed Drying

14.4 Saving seed from trees

(introduction...)

14.4.1 Cold Stratification

14.5 Seed storage

(introduction...)

14.5.1 Moisture and Temperature

14.5.2 Pest Control

14.6 Resources

References

15. Processing, storing, and marketing food from the garden

(introduction...)

15.1 Summary

15.2 Harvesting garden foods

15.3 Cooking and using garden foods

(introduction...)

15.3.1 Fresh Foods

15.3.2 Dried Foods

15.4 Food drying

(introduction...)

15.4.1 Materials for Drying

15.4.2 Preventing Contamination

15.4.3 Selecting and Preparing Produce for Drying

15.5 Sprouting and malting

(introduction...)

15.5.1 Sprouting

15.5.2 Malting

15.6 Fermentation

(introduction...)

15.6.1 Pickling

15.7 Storing garden foods

(introduction...)

15.7.1 Preharvest Storage

15.7.2 Postharvest Storage of Fresh Produce

15.7.3 Storing Dried Produce

15.7.4 Storing Other Processed Garden Foods

15.8 Marketing garden produce

(introduction...)

15.8.1 Harvesting for Market

15.5.2 Transport from Garden to Market

15.8.3 Protecting Produce Quality at the Market

15.9 Resources

References

16. Weaning foods from the garden

(introduction...)

16.1 Summary

16.2 The role of weaning foods

16.3 Nutrient density

(introduction...)

16.3.1 Energy

16.3.2 Protein

16.3.3 Vitamins and Minerals

16.3.4 Weaning Food Consistency

16.4 Hygiene

16.5 Weaning as a part of daily life

16.6 Resources

References

17. Glossary

(introduction...)

17.1 Abbreviations used in measurements

17.2 Equivalencies in units of measurement

17.3 Atomic symbols and molecular formulas

17.4 Other abbreviations and acronyms

18. Some crops for dryland gardens

(introduction...)

18.1 Common English and scientific names for some crops and crop groups

18.2 Important dryland garden plant families

19. Resource organizations

20. References

1.3 The organization of this book

Part I, Gardens as a Development Strategy, summarizes the basic principles of nutrition and economics as they apply to gardens in the Third World, the evidence that household gardens are a viable development strategy, and ways of assessing whether gardens are appropriate in a given situation.

Chapter 2 reviews the special nutritional needs of women and children, and the effects of work, illness, and seasonality on nutrition in drylands. The function, requirements, and dietary sources of specific nutrients are discussed, but the emphasis is on the important effects that the combination of foods in household meals can have on the total nutritional value of the diet, and on the primary goal of assuring adequate energy intakes. Gardens have the potential to improve overall dietary diversity and contribute critical nutrients such as vitamin A, iron, and energy, often when other sources are not available.

Gardens can improve household well-being by providing income and savings. Chapter 3 discusses the need to understand gardeners’ economic decision making, including concepts of production efficiency, economic rationality, and control over resources. Storage and processing techniques and organizing into cooperatives are discussed as ways of reducing the risks involved in marketing garden produce. Women’s roles in production and marketing must be explicitly considered so that they are not excluded from the economic benefits of gardens.

In Chapter 4 the essential role of assessment, monitoring, and evaluation in garden projects is reviewed. Community control of the assessment process, representativeness, understanding existing gardens, and some specific techniques, such as interviewing, are discussed.

Part II, Garden Management, covers the basic principles, indigenous practices, and specific suggestions for managing plants, soils, water, pests, and diseases in dryland gardens. The emphasis is on managing the whole garden as an ecological system, and on the garden as only one of many household activities. This means that the use of resources in specific garden management strategies must be balanced against the potential use of those resources in other garden and household activities. The goal is not maximizing production, but maximizing household and community well-being.

Chapter 5 discusses the basic principles of plant biology in relationship to heat, drought, salinity, and seasonality. Sexual reproduction and growing plants from seeds is the topic of Chapter 6, which includes many specific suggestions for planting seeds under dryland conditions and diagnosing planting problems. Vegetative propagation by cuttings, tubers, bulbs, offsets, suckers, grafting, and layering are discussed in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 covers a wide range of practices for maintaining healthy and productive dryland gardens: nursery bed and container planting, transplanting, plant interactions, weed management, pruning, and trellising.

Chapter 9 on soils emphasizes the importance of reducing wind and water erosion, and of maintaining adequate soil organic matter to ensure fertility and water-holding capacity. The movement of water in soils, and the relationship of soil, water, and garden yield are discussed in Chapter 10 as the basis for specific techniques to improve water management. Chapter 11 describes sources of water for the garden and various indigenous and other techniques for capturing this water through rainwater harvesting, floodwater gardening, and hand-dug wells. Chapter 12 discusses water-lifting and the application of water to the garden through surface irrigation, root zone irrigation, and sprinkler irrigation. It also addresses ways to avoid salinity and waterlogging.

Chapter 13 advocates an ecological approach for dealing with pests and diseases in which total garden management rather than the use of toxic pesticides is the most efficient, self-sufficient, and ecologically sustainable strategy. It includes four tables with accompanying figures for diagnosing and managing garden problems.

Part III, Garden Harvest, covers harvesting and using garden produce, including seed saving for future planting. Chapter 14 discusses the value of local control of folk crop varieties for genetic diversity, sustainability, and self-sufficiency, and methods for seed saving and storage. Indigenous and other techniques for harvesting, cooking, drying, sprouting, malting, fermenting, and storing garden produce to increase its contribution to diets throughout the year are the topic of Chapter 15. Weaning foods are one of the most important dietary contributions gardens can make. Chapter 16 describes how many garden foods can be processed to provide nutrient- and energy-rich weaning foods, often in quantities and at times when other food sources are not sufficient.

Part IV, Resources, contains a glossary (Chapter 17), a list of all garden crop species mentioned in the text with their scientific names and a list of important garden crop families (Chapter 18), an annotated list of resource organizations (Chapter 19), and a list of references cited in the text (Chapter 20), the most useful of which are annotated. An index is also included.