Vaali(Basale) soppu-Indian Spinach

        Now I  started small level  Basale cultivation using natural fertilizer like "hatti gobbara". Using hybrid basale seeds. Basale is easiest way of growing vegetable., Any one can grow it in house surroundings. Summer cultivation of Indian spinach (Basella alba) is a lot more easier when compared to Monsoon season. However it is very labour intensive, right from making trenches to plant vines to the time of harvesting to irrigation, adding manure and all other inter culture operations.
  
We grow Spinach on the ground and not on a trellis during summer season. following are the methods we employ in cultivation of Indian spinach Basella alba (basale soppu, valchi bajji)



Traditionally Indian Spinach also known as Basale soppu in tulu and Valchhi bajji in konkani is grown on a trellis. While respecting our traditional farming practices, we also must learn to innovate and improvise, and if works out, share data for free that will benefit farmers all over. Growing Spinach on the ground was done merely as a challenge to growing them using support or a trellis.
 

• land selected must have good irrigation facilities
• Should get plenty of direct sunlight and no shade
• Loamy soils preferred with good drainage
• soils which were previously used for growing vegetables also can be used

• long trenches around 5 feet wide & up to 3 feet in depth are made and the soil is ploughed manually well to remove weeds, break clods & remove stones and other inert materials
• in each trench, approximately 20 to 30 baskets of freshly decomposed farm yard manure is added
• the soil is then thoroughly mixed till a fine tilth is obtained.
• in the trench at every distance of 2 feet, a pair of cut vines of spinach are planted
• planting of the cut vines can be done on both sides of the trench. This is a beneficial method of planting as all the nutrients can be utilized & there is no wastage of water & nutrients.
• immediately after planting, light irrigation is provided such that it does not disturb the transplanted vines
• since the temperatures peak in summer, at transplanting stage, shade must be provided to the young vines. Here we have used palm leaves of coconut.
• the developing vines also must not come in contact with soil in early stages of its growth & hence, the same coconut palms which were used as shade can be used as a 'carpet' on which the vines grow
• harvest can be done in 30 to 45 days after transplanting