May in Malawi

Our crops are now drying in preparation for treating and packaging for next year's planting which will take place hopefully in December with the rains.  The maize cobs are moved from the field by ox cart and stored in a well ventilated area free from rodents
 

Storing cobs

Carting maize stalks

The harvest

The maize and legume stalks are stored, they provide  additional cattle fodder until the rains come.
Some farmers burn the stalks on the field; as they burn, small rodents escape, these are trapped providing sport and a high protein dinner.

Cotton
Semi drought resistant, native cotton  grows well in Malawi and is a popular cash crop.  The cotton industry has declined due to imported cloth from Asia, lack of maintenance at the ginneries and the arrival of second hand clothing bales from European, American and Asian charities.

 

This year's crop is poor due to the short rains

Cotton boll after 160 days

 Farmers will store their bolls until the price rises.  Price starts at 30p per kilo rising to 40p.









Harvest in the Garden

Ripe lemons

The citrus trees in our garden  are bearing and we race the monkeys for the ripe fruit.  Thus far we have managed lemonade and lemon curd.

Lemonade and lemon curd

Terri spent 2 happy weeks in UK catching up with family and friends, she is now back in the tropics. We are both enjoying the 'Winter' with temperatures sometimes below 30 degrees.

T and I