Strategic partnership turns a rubbish heap into a vegetable harvest

Mathabang Lekhula-Legula has transformed a smelly dumping site in Welkom, Free State, into a thriving vegetable farm. Her success is proof that when a producer is supported by the right...

A fruity chilli species that deserves more recognition

There are many different varieties within Capsicum baccatum, ranging widely in size, shape, colour, flavour, and potency.

Managing macadamias: cutting back brings higher yields

Following rapid expansion between 2014 and 2019, most of South Africa’s macadamia nut orchards have reached maturity. The larger trees and denser orchards require a different approach to management in...

South Africa’s apple cultivars and new contenders

South Africa produces a wide range of apple cultivars, from export staples like Golden Delicious and Granny Smith to sweet varieties preferred across the continent. New cultivars are also gaining...

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...

A game-changer for ginger production

The biggest obstacle that ginger farmers in South Africa face is securing enough land to allow for at least a four-year rest period before replanting the same land to the...

Preparing seedlings for the season and your conditions

Seedlings should vary according to the season. Bill Kerr shares how he learnt this vital lesson, and offers tips on how to harden seedlings.

Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic

Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it’s important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management.

Viruses that can attack a bean crop

Bill Kerr explains how bean common mosaic virus and bean yellow mosaic virus can infect a field and spread, leading to major crop losses.

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