How top potato farmer optimises production
Since taking over her late husband’s farm three years ago, Franelyn Rossouw has been simplifying her approach to potato farming in order to streamline production. She spoke to Lindi Botha...
Tips and tricks for pruning roses
For many areas in South Africa, August is the last window of opportunity to prune roses. If you haven’t already done so, follow these guidelines to encourage healthy growth and...
How intercropping helped a Free State maize farm grow
The main goal of intercropping is to achieve the highest possible yield on a particular piece of land by using the available resources to their full potential. And that is...
The influence of irrigation water quality on the solubility and effectivity of water-soluble fertiliser products
When considering the suitability of irrigation water for the purpose of dissolving water-soluble fertiliser, there exists a myriad of interactions that come into play. One such factor, especially in the...
Growing and processing groundnuts can be lucrative
Over the years, Eduard Dreyer ventured into different markets to build his business’s resilience. Groundnuts, however, became a core part of his farming enterprise, so much so that he built...
Preparing your garden for winter
As the temperature drops and plant growth slows down, preparing your garden for winter is essential to protect your plants and ensure a strong start in spring. From mulching and...
Aloe ferox: a plant pharmacy and attractive garden feature
Renowned worldwide for its medicinal and cosmetic properties, Aloe ferox is also an integral part of South Africa’s cultural heritage. Linda Piegl explores the plant’s traditional uses and how to...
Growing onion sets
Bill Kerr discusses what onion sets are, and how and when to produce them to obtain the maximum financial benefit.
The benefits of treating seed before sowing it
Pathogens can be removed from vegetable seed by treating it with hot water at 51°C for about half an hour. Bill Kerr explains this procedure as well as using trisodium...
A different seedling tray for each specific purpose
Bill Kerr explains the different types of seedling trays available to vegetable producers. They vary in type of material and shape of cavities.
The nurse who became an award-winning vegetable producer
Vegetable farmer Sophy Litshani Musabeni doesn’t miss an opportunity to broaden her knowledge on agriculture. Doing her own research and speaking to those in the know, she has catapulted herself...
How to make the decision to throw out old seedlings
Whether older seedlings will be productive depends on their size and age, and with seed prices going up, one needs to think carefully before throwing out plants that could still...
