Crops

Many VEGETABLE FARMERS ask what fertiliser to use when planting cabbages. The question assumes each crop has a specific requirement, regardless of what's already in the soil.

I'm often asked what the correct spacing should be when planting cabbages, as though there was only one answer. There's more to spacing than just setting out dimensions.

I've been going on recently about the Ministerial Interim Committee Report (MICR) on restructuring fresh-produce markets. I've not been too complimentary, because I see the whole thing as a political document with a political agenda. Readers will know that I don't believe politics and the boardroom can mix.

Angelo De Andrade has earned Agri Gauteng's Young Farmer of the Year award by processing his own produce on the farm while still supplying fresh produce markets. His family partnership with his brother John Paul and mother Fernanda has maintained a share in the highly competitive local fresh produce market. Annelie Coleman visited Angelo on Lucky Farm near Westonaria.

FARMERS TEND TO ACCEPT THE seedlings they're given and don't pay much attention to what sort of condition they're in.

The declining profitability of maize on a Viljoenskroon farm in the Free State forced Cobus van Coller to diversify into livestock.

Last week I discussed how to choose seedlings. Now I want to outline ways to manipulate seedlings for prevailing conditions.

I last visited the Kei Fresh Produce Market (KFPM) in January and vowed not to return until they had cleaned up the place and it could sell fresh fruit and vegetables with proper hygiene and food safety.

By incorporating vermicomposting and worm-casting tea in its apple production system, Clan Leslie Estate has improved its fruit quality, reduced input costs and improved the soil and tree health in its orchards. Hayden Green visited Mike Leslie to find out more.

it gives me no pleasure TO REMIND South African market agents that "I told them so" a few years ago, but it must be said.

In 2007 Farmer's Weekly reported on the success of father and son Dirk and Frik van Sittert's no-till practices. Peter Hittersay looks at the continuing no-till success Frik has enjoyed in the three years since then.

There are hundreds of cabbage varieties on the world market, each filling a slot for some climatic condition or purpose, and quite a few are sold in South Africa.