DavidTiger nuts are one of the most nutritious and healthy foods on the planet. They are high in protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C. Growing tiger nuts from seed is not difficult but it does take some time.
The process is simple and easy to do and includes land preparation, getting quality seeds, seed planting, regular watering, weeding, manure application, mulching, and Harvesting.
Whether you want to grow tiger nuts for consumption or money-making purpose, this is the perfect guide that will teach you all you need to know on how to grow tiger nuts from seed.
Importantly, you should know that tiger nuts can be grown on a small scale, especially at home in a garden or small container using pot mix. Likewise, tiger nuts can be grown on a large scale on farmland. The same approach can be applied. With just a minor difference.
For the sake of our discourse, we will be discussing how to grow tiger nuts from seed on farmland to help you grow tiger nuts in large quantities and make money in return by selling the produce.
How to Grow Tiger Nuts from Seed
The root vegetable plant can be grown from seed, but it is not easy to do because they are difficult to plant. The process has been explicitly discussed below.
Step 1: Land Preparation
Land preparation is an important task that needs to be performed when you want to grow tiger nuts. This process should be done weeks before the seed planting stage. The land needs to be cleared by removing all existing plants that are not needed.
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There is a need to till and plow the land to make the soil suitable for farming and to allow for easy penetration of the roots. After that, you can level the farmland to make it even and remove bumps and holes. Also, during the land leveling stage, apply water and organic manure to the soil to enrich the soil nutrient.
You can either prepare a bed for them or plant them on flat soil. When preparing a bed, you must create channels for erosion control.
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Tiger nuts require mild temperatures with a soil pH between 5.0 and 7.0.
Step 2: Get Quality Seed
The only way to plant tiger nuts is through tiger nut seeds. That is why you need to purchase quality tiger nut seeds from a reliable source. It can be from a tiger nut farmer or the agriculture ministry.
Ensure you go for tiger nuts that are disease and pest-resistant so that you will have a bountiful yield after harvesting your produce.
Step 3: Seed Planting
Although tiger nuts take a few months to germinate to maturity, the fastest way to start planting is to raise them on a nursery farm. Best, you should purchase already sprouted seedlings to hasten the germination process.
Since you have acquired your preferred tiger nut breed, you have to manually plant them 6 to 8cm into the soil adhering to the spacing of 15 to 29cm spacing between seeds. The ideal planting period is during raining season April-May.
If you are planting the seed directly on the farm bed, ensure you soak the seeds for at least 24 hours before planting them in soil or potting mix. Then follow the planting description earlier mentioned putting just two or three seeds in a hole.
Step 4: Regular Watering
You need to water your tiger nut plants regularly, especially during the germination phase. So, ensure you water a minimum of twice a day. However, Tiger nuts can’t withstand waterlogged soil or salty water.
If planted during the dry season, then an irrigation system should be put in place to ensure the plants receive sufficient water supply.
Step 5: Weeding and Manure Application
There are tendencies that you will find some stubborn weeds growing alongside your tiger nut plant which can affect their performance or slow its growth. That’s why you have to be on the lookout to remove weeds as soon as you spot them.
Also, you have to apply manure or fertilizer to enrich soil nutrients after planting. try by all means to avoid using manure that is rich in nitrogen, because it can prevent the forming of seeds and encourage foliage performance.
It is best to visit an expert for opinion and the best manure or fertilizer recommendation that will aid the growth of your tiger nut plants.
Step 6: Mulching
Tiger nut plant can be severely harmed by extreme cold or heat because adverse weather condition kills the rhizomes, foliage, and basal bulbs, but they sprout again in the summer.
It’s important to mulch the soil’s surface regularly to keep it from drying out on hot days. During the cold season, a thick layer of mulched leaves will help protect these nodules.
Step 7: Harvesting
Tiger nuts are typically harvested between November and December, depending on whether they were planted in April or May. Tiger nuts are ready to be harvested once you see signs that the plant turns brown and dies. You should dig up the roots and remove the nodules from the soil.
You can manually harvest your tiger nut plants using hoes or a simple farm tool; also, you can mechanically harvest the plants using a combined harvester.
The seeds are attached to the nodules so you can remove the seeds from the nodules. The tiger nut seeds should be dried and prepared for marketing. However, preserve some 50 to 60 °C in an oven or dehydrator to be replanted during the planting season.
How long does it take to grow tiger nuts?
Tiger nuts grow to maturity between 3 to 4 months.
Where is Tigernut grown in Nigeria?
Tiger nut is mostly grown in the northern part of Nigeria with Katsina state growing the largest portion.
Can you plant dried tiger nuts?
You can plant dry tiger nuts as long as it has not been processed and stored appropriately.
How deep do tiger nuts grow?
Tiger nuts grow 8 to 14 inches deep in the soil.
Can you eat raw tiger nuts?
Yes, you can eat raw tiger nuts or roasted, depending on your preference.
Is tiger nut Farming Profitable?
Tigernuts farming is profitable considering the high demand by processing companies as well as an increase in consumers.
What does a tiger nut do in a woman’s body?
Tiger nut is notable for their health benefits. In women, it is known to help relieve menstrual cramps, regulate blood pressure, and boost breast milk production.
What is the Yoruba name for tiger nut?
The Yoruba name for tiger nut is “Ofio”.
How much is a bag of Tigernut?
A bag of tiger nuts currently is around ₦68,300.00.
Is tiger nut available all year round?
Tiger nut is only available all year round in Katsina state in northern Nigeria.
How do you harvest tiger nuts?
Tiger nut is easy to harvest. All you need do is gently dig up the roots and remove the nodules from the soil.
Where do tiger nuts come from?
The origin of tiger nuts can be traced back to North Africa.
Are tiger nuts invasive?
Tiger nut is a root vegetable and like most root crops, it is considered to be invasive.
Is tiger nut a fruit or vegetable?
Tiger nuts are small root vegetables, not fruit.
Are tiger nuts good for you?
Tiger nut is good for the eater and is known to be nutritious and also provides numerous health benefits as it is rich in mineral contents such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and zinc and vitamins E, C, and folic acid.
What are the disadvantages of tiger nuts?
Tiger nut cause bloating or sometimes indigestion, and sometimes allergies
Do you have to boil tiger nuts?
Tiger nuts can be prepared and processed in diverse ways such as boiling, roasting, and soaking.
How many tiger nuts should you eat in a day?
You can eat as many tiger nuts as you like as there is no research into how many tiger nuts should be eaten in a day.
Where to buy tiger nut seeds
You can buy tiger nut seeds mainly from the market or retail vendors near you.
Tiger nut seeds for planting
Tiger nut seeds for planting are best prepared by first soaking them in lukewarm water overnight to hasten the germination process.
Harvesting tiger nuts
Harvesting tiger nuts is not a tedious task for an avid farmer. All you need do is to dig up the roots from the soil and remove the nodules.
Tiger nuts growing zone
The Tiger nut growing zone is an area with a constant temperate range and a humid climate and should have spongy, and loose soil.
Tiger nut plants for sale
There is a different avenue to put tiger nuts up for sale. You can take advantage of the internet, local market, and retail vendors, among others.
Conclusion
Tiger nuts are a nutritious and healthy snack that can be grown from seed. Growing tiger nuts from seed is a great way to start your permaculture garden. Ensure you adhere to the guidelines discussed in this informative piece so you Can successfully grow tiger nuts from seed.
