Broccoli: winter crop in year-round rotation
Among the Brassica genus types, broccoli has been one of the popular choices for farmers in cooler climates. In the past, broccoli was rotated out in summer, but farmers like...
Grit, greens, and good business: the rise of Zandile Kumalo
Successful hydroponics farming is about more than just the ability to harvest a quality crop. As a capital intensive industry, it also requires collaboration, flexibility and negotiating skills to raise...
Roadway Farms: building a sustainable future in vegetable farming
Roadway Farms in Albert Falls, KwaZulu-Natal, is implementing a model intended to keep the family operation financially viable and sustainable into the future. Vegetable farmer and entrepreneur Shakti Satyapal talks...
Lessons from a small-scale tomato farmer and agro-processor
When Pumeza Maseti speaks about her journey into agriculture, her passion and creativity shine through. She now manages 1,6ha in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, through Sinemihlali, a co-operative established to create...
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.
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...
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...
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.
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.
What growers gain by having a seedling germination room
A germination chamber set at about 25°C leads to a high germination percentage and shortens the time span before seedlings are placed out in the nursery, saving the grower money.
New farmers’ seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for...
Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production
Instead of buying expensive growing mediums for seedlings, farmers can make their own mixtures from local resources, such as manure, which are economical and produce excellent results.
Learn to solve your own crop problems
So-called experts often tell farmers what the problems are with their crops without being sure and just hoping for the best when suggesting solutions. Rather use your own experience to...
The pitfalls of gambling with vegetables on the market
The decision of what to plant should be based on average market prices in the long term, which enables vegetable growers to calculate what the market price fluctuations will be,...
How quality and marketing drive success for small farms
It is one thing to have a good product, but we need to bring its outstanding features to the attention of the purchaser, writes Bill Kerr.
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