Other Swiss chard pests
In addition to those already discussed, there are other pests likely to be a problem with Swiss chard from time to time. Let’s look at three of the most common ones.
Competition benefits all
Anybody who has spent time on a busy fresh produce market floor will agree that it is a madhouse of noise and frenetic activity – especially at the daily trading peak, usually from 5am to 8am.
Leaf miner: still a threat to Swiss chard
The leaf miner was once a major headache for producers, having a wide range of hosts and a particular fondness for Swiss chard.
What Colour! What variety!
Over the years, I’ve made it a habit to observe as much as possible about the fresh produce sector, be it while walking the market floor, shopping at my local supermarket, or visiting a farm where the products are grown and packed.
Consistency of supply
I rate consistency as one of the ‘Big Five’ in fresh produce marketing, along with supply, demand, quality and communication.
Keep nutrition up and eelworms down
Swiss chard is easy to grow and exceptionally productive, but it does take a lot of nutrients out of the ground.
So, what’s a fair price?
Getting paid a fair price for a product is surely uppermost in all farmers’ minds. Having said that, what is a fair price?
Planting swiss chard
With Swiss chard, the cork-like ‘capsule’ that you plant is actually the fruit, which contains up to four seeds.
Packaging: get it right!
Finding ways to minimise the high cost of packaging is an ongoing challenge.
What is spinach?
The term ‘spinach’ refers to different species in different countries. In South Africa, there are two common species that we call ‘spinach’ – Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) and baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea).
A culture of care
This is not the first time in this column that I’ve addressed the crucial need for care.
Regulating nitrogen in vegetable crops
Farmers have long been advised to use standard fertiliser mixtures for crops as a matter of course.
Wish list for election time
Dreams of money flowing in from government to rejuvenate our markets have partly been realised over the past year.
Wonder products
In Weimar Germany back in the 1920s, Dr Max Gerson developed what he claimed was a cure for cancer based on the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Selecting the right nitrogen fertiliser
When it comes to vegetables, choosing the right nitrogen fertiliser is extremely important. For many US agronomists, ammonium sulphate is the fertiliser of choice.
The relationship between nitrogen & organic matter
Vegetable growers frequently ignore the relationship between nitrogen and organic matter when deciding on the amount of nitrogen to apply to a crop, yet it is extremely important.
How to handle fresh produce
Instilling the importance of careful handling of fruit and vegetables is not as simple as it might seem.
Food losses
I have been pursuing the theme of food wastage and loss for the past few weeks because the problem is much more serious – and complex – than most people would care to admit.
More about nitrogen
The inability of soil microbes to convert ammonium to nitrate at a soil temperature below 10°C has caused reduced yields in winter without farmers understanding what the problem is.
Understanding nitrogen
Certain elements are essential for plant growth, so it stands to reason that if any of these are in short supply, the plant’s development will be affected.
