Bill Kerr
A beginner’s guide to planting sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are so hardy and easy to grow that they could almost be classified as weeds! Even without optimal fertilisation and care, they produce reasonably well, unlike many other vegetable crops.
How to reduce the risk of viruses in capsicums
Seed is a potential source of viruses in capsicums. However, it is a rare occurrence these days, as seed producers are keen to protect their reputations and take stringent precautions to counter the problem.
Watermelon planting tips
Many watermelon growers plant as soon as possible in the season so they can market the crop early, when prices are high.
Know your watermelon varieties
The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) originated in Africa, where tribes in arid areas used it as an emergency water source.
Watch out for these common vegetable pests
Pests are an ongoing threat to vegetables, and need to be controlled effectively and timeously to prevent damage to the crop.
How to grow Swiss chard at home
Swiss chard can either be sown directly or transplanted. Both methods have their pros and cons.
Growing tomatoes: know the varieties
Tomatoes are an important part of our diet, as well as being highly nutritious. Bill Kerr tells us more about this versatile fruit, and the varieties that are most suitable for growing at home.
Getting ready to plant cucurbits
Before planting a land to any of the cucurbits, you should kill off all broad-leaved weeds nearby, preferably well beforehand.
Home gardens: irrigate sensibly and economically
Most home vegetable gardens are irrigated incorrectly. Here’s how to get it right, says Bill Kerr.
No-till: increasing soil organic content
With no-till farming, you need to try to gradually increase the organic content of the soil.
Beware of that foliar feed mixture!
Company representatives often bombard farmers with products claimed to increase yield at little cost.
Growing leeks in your garden
No garden is complete without this underrated and versatile vegetable, says Bill Kerr.
The benefits of organic matter
When the soil contains sufficient organic material, farming becomes far easier and less risky. In contrast, in a chemically based system, the interaction between the minerals becomes critical and complex, and a farmer needs a great deal of experience and knowledge to get good results.
Growing a variety of soil microbes
Most farmers are aware that a healthy population of soil organisms is a good thing. What many don’t understand is that the number of soil organisms is directly related to their food source.
Enjoy the taste of fresh garden peas!
These days, most people opt for frozen peas for convenience. They don’t know what they’re missing, says Bill Kerr. Fresh peas are far tastier and sweeter.
A guide to growing baby carrots
There’s always a market for baby vegetables, and carrots are no exception. In the past, top-shaped baby carrots were the most popular in the frozen range.
Carrots: get your numbers right!
Hot weather is unfavourable for carrot germination. Depending on the soil’s condition and structure, it also promotes the growth of soil fungus diseases, especially when heavy rain falls, as is common in the summer rainfall areas.
Preparing to plant carrots: seeds and soil
Carrots have a very deep root system and a mass of fine feeder roots.
Dealing with pumpkin flies
Pumpkin flies, which are slightly larger than houseflies, are similar to the fruit flies so well-known to fruit farmers.
How to control cucurbit viruses
It is also important to control aphids as these are the primary vectors of viruses. Apart from spreading viruses, they are up to no good anyway!
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