Getting rid of paspalum
A type of kweek grass, called couch paspalum (Paspalum distichum), is gaining a foothold on many vegetable farms. Also known as ‘kweek paspalum’, many farmers confuse it with common kweek (Cynodon spp.).
Commitment is all
Since I seem to be lambasting politicians and bureaucrats all the time, permit me to illustrate the sort of situation I come across almost without exception in markets.
Making a point
Recently, I wrote about the necessity of ensuring vegetable transplants have enough nitrogen in the plug or in the plant to stimulate root growth and ensure an early start as well as uniform growth.
Growing Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts is a luxury item not part of our daily cuisine and usually reserved for special treats. It is generally well known that this crop is a dedicated winter crop requiring cold for good performance.
Leave it to business
“It is the height of conceit for the government to believe it can devise a system that will work better than an unimpeded market.”
Understanding spray mixtures
With spray adjuvants, many farmers think that mixing a sticker and a wetter/spreader into the water are the same thing. This is certainly not true.
It takes passion
During a recent early morning walk through the massive sales halls of the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market I was yet again struck by the uniqueness of such a market.
Do it yourself
Some of us have a tendency to blame the government for many of our country’s woes and then, in the same breath, expect the government to fix almost every imaginable ailment in the country.
Removing the hazards from transplanting
We’ve covered the requirements for the most suitable seedlings in the past few articles. It doesn’t stop there, though, as all this good work can be undone during transplanting – and shortly thereafter.
Markets and jobs
There’s been a lot of hype in the media recently about creating employment opportunities in SA. However, seldom is anything said about the role of agriculture in creating jobs.
Why agents should attend farmers’ days
Most good market agents make sure they attend as many farmers’ days as possible.
Marketing milk
How to do more to promote the benefits of milk to the public – and thereby improve profits all round.
Communication is essential
The huge distances between producers and markets. Perishable products. Tough competition. The lack of understanding of markets and marketing by many producers.
Square versus round plugs
In addition to seedling hardness, there’s also the matter of seedling size, which, of course, depends on the size of the cell – or plug – in the seedling tray.
The liming miracle
The results speak for themselves and it’s not for nothing that lime can be called the soil’s ‘antacid’.
Give credit where it’s due
Since it opened six or seven years ago, I have had a love-hate relationship with the Kei Fresh Produce Market (KFPM) in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
How to harden seedlings
Seedlings need to be hardened to enable the plants to survive in the new environment where they are planted. But, as you will see, hardening has another advantage.
Still the best option
This week I want to discuss orderly marketing on the local fresh produce commission markets. This can be a harsh school for the unwary, but it can also be beneficial for those who understand how local markets work.
Know your seedling needs
Vegetable seedlings vary quite a bit, so make sure you tell your seedling grower what you need.
The 10 commandments of fruit marketing
I came across one of my previous columns (Farmer’s Weekly March 2002), and make no apology for repeating it, because it is sound advice that applies to all fresh produce.
