19/04/2026
Question in my inbox; " Madam, how do you successfully grow your maize?"
MAIZE - THE SIMPLEST CROP TO GROW
Growing this crop successfully depends on good preparation, timing, and management throughout it's term/season. Since most of us work in a rain-fed system in our areas in Zambia. It's very important to do the following;
LAND PREP
Starting early - for Nov/Dec.
Good maize starts with good soil preparation. Therefore, clear fields, crop residues, and bushes early, then plough or rip the land to loosen the soil. Make ridges if you won't flat plant - here it depends on your method. Later, apply well-decomposed manure if available to improve yields - but this is workable in small fields.
CHOOSING SEED
Here, we go for certified hybrid maize seeds which yield high and are disease resistant. Popular varieties in Zambia include SC, PAN, and ZAMSEED types. If you want high production, avoid recycled seed. Agronomists/seed sellers would normally give you advice on this one.
PLANTING TIME
We usually plant at the start of rains ( November–December and when the soil is moist, not waterlogged)
SPACING
75 cm between rows
25 cm between plants
1–2 seeds per station
W**D CONTROL
We do the first weeding: 2–3 weeks after germination.
Second weeding: 5–6 weeks after germination. Please keep the field clean early (maize suffers if weeds compete early)
FERTILIZER APPLICATION
This is very Important for good yields:
We do a basal fertilizer at planting ( D-Compound or similar ), then a top dress at 3–5 weeks - usually Urea but I see some people going with ammonium nitrate. This fertilizer is applied when soil is moist; for best absorption.
PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL
We see Fall armyworms (major threat these days, stem borers and leaf diseases. We scout early, use pesticides and grow resistance seed varieties.
HARVESTING
We harvest when husks are dry and kernels are hard, usually 3–4 months after planting (depending on variety). Then we ensure that we dry properly to avoid mold.
NOTE
For better yields, we also practice the following;
-Rotate maize with legumes (beans, groundnuts) to improve soil fertility.
-Avoid planting maize on the same land every season
-Use herbicides carefully.
-Keep records of input costs and yields.
I hope this info will be helpful.
Thank you!
