Home Authors Posts by Bill Kerr

170 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

Minor cucurbit pests

Bill Kerr looks at the leaf miner, cucurbit ladybird beetle and African bollworm, all of which, despite being minor pests, can cause damage.vd

Dealing with weeds in cucurbits

Uncontrolled weeds can rob pumpkins and other cucurbits of the nutrients they need for a good yield. Yet weeds can also protect pumpkins at a later phase in their growth, says Bill Kerr.

Defeat Liriomyza leaf miner without paying a cent

Leaf miners are a serious threat to tomato plants. Yet tiny parastic wasps are on hand to help bring their numbers down. All it requires is a bit of patience from farmers, says Bill Kerr.

Cucurbits: A fascinating history of cultivation for over 11 000 years

These much-loved vegetables, which are technically fruits, were among the earliest cultivated crops in the world, says Bill Kerr.

Cucurbit planting strategies

To ensure a successful crop, it’s crucial to plant out the seedlings at the optimal time. Getting it wrong may prove expensive, says Bill Kerr.

How to make a simple, sturdy plastic tunnel at minimal cost

Tunnels ensure faster growth and healthier plants. Bill Kerr explains how to construct a basic tunnel out of plastic sheeting draped over steel hoops. You’ll need a few basic tools and welding equipment.

The pros and cons of tunnel tomatoes

Growing tomatoes in tunnels is not as easy or affordable as some people think. Do your research before committing yourself, cautions Bill Kerr.

Bacterial wilt: a threat in tropical and subtropical areas

Once bacterial wilt has infected tomato plants, there is no way to stop its spread. Prevention is the only option, says Bill Kerr.

Taking care of tomatoes after transplanting

You can save money by scouting your tomatoes regularly and catching diseases and pests such as African bollworm early, before they establish a bridgehead in your crop, says Bill Kerr.

How to identify and control eelworm

Potatoes are vulnerable to eelworm, which can significantly reduce yield and create unsightly marks on tubers, says Bill Kerr.

Understanding a tomato seedling’s instincts

Plants are programmed to fight for survival in the competition for nutrients and light. To get the best fruit out of a tomato plant, for example, you have to fool it, says Bill Kerr.

The most destructive disease of potatoes

Late blight can strike so rapidly and spread so fast that by the time you notice it, the damage has already been done, says Bill Kerr.

Read this before growing tomatoes

Tomato production can be highly profitable, but you need to choose your tomato type and cultivar with care, says Bill Kerr.

Want easier, better farming? Add humus and earthworms

The commercial vermicasts sold to farmers and gardeners are an excellent fertiliser, but very expensive. Earthworms give us this for free exactly where it is needed. They also provide many other services to farmers, says vegetable expert Bill Kerr.

Planting and harvesting potatoes

Potatoes are grown from disease-free seed potatoes, require a lot of fertiliser, and are labour-intensive. All of this costs plenty, warns Bill Kerr.

The good and the bad of chimera

Chimera can be mistaken for a viral or bacterial infection, but it is actually a genetic disorder that could benefit some producers.

Don’t be too hasty to throw away old seedlings!

It’s expensive to throw away perfectly healthy seedlings. Rather keep them in limbo until you can plant them, says Bill Kerr.

The value of informal record-keeping

If you record your production and general farming notes in a diary, you’ll have ready access to a wealth of information in a few years, says Bill Kerr.