How to water-treat seed

It is sometimes advisable to treat seed in order to remove a pathogen, or as a precaution before sowing. For example, capsicums (chillies and peppers) often suffer from bacterial spot, a highly destructive disease that usually appears only on the growing crop well after transplanting.

New control boards?

The old control boards in the fresh produce sector did good work in some areas, but ended up with a rather dismal record in other aspects.

Ensuring good germination

Germination is influenced by various factors, starting with the temperature of the growing medium.

Wise words from Deon van Zyl

I was delighted to read Wilma den Hartigh’s interview with Deon van Zyl on tactics to achieve successful sales on markets.

Striving for a happy medium

There is no single ‘ideal’ method for growing seedlings successfully and economically – conditions vary too much – but there are guidelines that can help a newcomer get it right in a shorter time.

Fresh produce markets: how far we have come

I wrote my first column for Farmer’s Weekly 15 years ago and today I’m about to embark on #750.

Seedlings and seedling trays

Some farmers think that seedlings should not be kept too long because they will not be as productive. They are partly right, but age matters less than physiological development.

Superspud!

At a recent Potatoes South Africa (PSA) information day, I learnt a number of facts about our favourite vegetable (and the biggest-selling crop on our fresh produce markets).

Hardening vegetable seedlings

A Highveld farmer I knew once desperately needed seedlings and turned to a supplier in another region. I still recall his shock when the consignment arrived: the seedlings were far larger and harder than he was used to.

Ensuring realistic prices

The debate over food prices continues to hold centre stage. This is understandable, given that poor families in South Africa spend roughly a third of their household incomes on food, according to Statistics SA.

Get to know your seedling grower

To produce optimal results, seedlings must be in good condition when planted, and thereafter cared for properly until they are established.

Success with small-scale herb production

Husband-and-wife team, Miki and Cathy Clark, knew nothing about farming when they began their small-scale herb production operation on 1,2ha of land five years ago. Now they produce over 2t a week for outlets in Cape Town, five times a week.