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Showing posts with label Organic Farming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organic Farming. Show all posts

How I Used Cattle Manure on My Fodder Field When I Couldn’t Afford Fertilizer

Farming does not always go according to plan.

​Sometimes you have everything you need, and sometimes you have to work with whatever is already available.

​Today was one of those days for me.

​For the past few days, I had been collecting the manure from our cattle in a separate place instead of leaving it scattered around the farm. Today, I took that collected manure to our fodder field and spread it over the areas where we had already harvested the grass.

​The reason was simple: I did not have the money to buy fertilizer for the field at the time.

​So instead of leaving the manure unused, I decided to make use of what I already had.

​Using What Was Already Available

​On a farm, many things are connected.

​We keep cattle, the cattle produce manure, and we also grow fodder for the animals. So when I had manure available and needed to take care of the field, using it there seemed like a practical choice.

​I had been keeping the manure separately for several days. Once I had harvested grass from some parts of the field, I decided to take the collected manure there and spread it over those areas.

​It was not something I planned as a special project. It was simply a practical decision based on the situation I was in.

​Why I Used Manure Instead of Buying Fertilizer

​The main reason was financial.

​At that time, I did not have enough money to buy fertilizer for the fodder field.

​Instead of waiting until I could afford it, I looked at what I already had available.

​The cattle manure had already been collected, so I decided to put it to use on the parts of the field where the fodder had already been harvested.

​For me, this is one of the realities of farm life. You cannot always buy everything you need. Sometimes you have to make the best use of the resources already available to you.

​From the Cattle Shed Back to the Field

​There is something interesting about the way things work on a farm.

​The cattle eat fodder from the field. After the fodder is used, the cattle produce manure. That manure can then be returned to the land.

​Today, I was simply moving one part of that cycle back to the field.

​I had been collecting the manure separately, and now I spread it over the harvested areas of the fodder field.

​It was ordinary farm work, but it was also a reminder that many resources around us can have another use instead of simply being thrown away.

​I Am Recording the Experience, Not Making a Big Claim

​I do not want to claim that using this manure will definitely produce a particular amount of fodder or increase the yield by a specific percentage.

​I am not writing this as a scientific experiment.

​I am simply recording what I actually did on my farm today and why I did it.

​I wanted to make use of something I already had instead of spending money that I did not have at the moment.

​What happens to the field afterward is something I will see with time.

​If I notice any meaningful difference in the coming weeks, I can share that experience as well.

​Another Ordinary Day on the Farm

​For someone looking from outside, spreading cattle manure across a field might seem like a very small thing.

​For me, it is simply part of everyday farm life.

​There are always small jobs to do:

  • ​Feeding the cattle
  • ​Cleaning the farm
  • ​Preparing fodder
  • ​Working in the field
  • ​Collecting manure
  • ​Taking care of whatever needs attention that day

​Not every day brings a major event.

​But sometimes an ordinary day contains a small decision worth remembering.

​Today, that decision was to take the manure I had collected over the past few days and return it to the fodder field.

​What I Learned From Today's Work

​The main thing I took from today's work is simple:

When resources are limited, you have to make good use of what you already have.


​I could not afford to buy fertilizer for the field at that time, but I did have cattle manure available.

​So I used it.

​I do not know yet what the final result will be, and I do not want to pretend that I already know.

​I will simply watch the field and see what happens next.

​That is also what MyLife.pk is about for me—not creating stories just to publish something, but documenting the things that actually happen in my life.

​Today, this was one of them.

How to Harvest Jantar Stalks for Winter Fuel: Easy Step-by-Step Guide


Welcome to mylife.pk! Today, we’re talking about one of the most useful and versatile crops in rural farming Jantar (Sesbania).

​While many people know Jantar as a green manure crop that enriches the soil, it also serves another super important purpose in our daily village life: providing reliable, dry firewood for the cold winter months!

​In this post, I will share why harvesting Jantar stalks right from the roots is so beneficial and how we dry and prepare them to keep our home kitchen running smoothly.

​Why Use Jantar Stalks as Winter Fuel?

​In rural households, having a solid supply of dry firewood for cooking and heating is essential. While buying timber or logs from commercial woodyards (tall) is always an option, market firewood can be quite expensive over time.

​Growing and harvesting Jantar on our own land gives us a practical, cost-effective, and natural alternative:

  1. Zero Extra Cost: We use our own farm yield instead of spending money at the timber market.
  2. Fast Drying Time: Jantar stalks dry out much faster in the sun compared to thick tree branches.
  3. Clean Burning Wood: Once fully dried, the stalks burn brightly and produce steady heat for cooking.

​Step-by-Step: How We Harvest Jantar Stalks

​To get the most out of your Jantar crop for firewood, the harvesting technique matters. Here is how we do it step by step:

​Step 1: Cutting from the Roots

​Instead of trimming just the tops, we cut the Jantar plants directly at the base or root level using a traditional sickle. Cutting from the bottom ensures we get the full length and thickness of the stalk, giving us sturdy wood sticks.

​Step 2: Bundling and Sun-Drying

​Once cut, we spread the long green stalks across the open field under direct sunlight. Leaving them exposed to the warm sun for a few days draws out all the moisture rapidly.

​Step 3: Storing for Winter Use

​After the stalks turn completely dry and lightweight, we tie them into neat bundles and store them in a dry shed. These dried Jantar sticks are now ready to be used in our kitchen stove all through the winter season!

​Final Thoughts

​Harvesting Jantar stalks from the root is a smart, traditional farming practice that saves money and ensures our family stays comfortable during the winter months. It’s all about making the best use of what nature and our hard work provide!

​Have you ever used Jantar stalks or crop wood for cooking fuel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

​Thank you for visiting mylife.pk stay tuned for more authentic stories and tips from rural life!