Soil pH – the cure for clubroot in cabbages
Clubroot really is a revolting disease -that's literally the reaction of any farmer who pulls out a sickly-looking plant and sees what the root system looks like. Clubroot is also...
Conquer cauliflower mosaic virus
Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) is a very destructive cruciferous crop disease that usually occurs unexpectedly. In most cases, by the time farmers notice it it's often too late to stop...
Keeping producers producing
Agricultural economist Dr Koos Coetzee wrote about the local market's importance (Global Farming column, 5 November). Some points have a bearing on fresh produce suppliers.
Sclerotinia strikes!
SCLEROTINIA disease can overwhelm many crops, especially in wet climates. I experienced a severe outbreak in my bean crop in 2009 during the persistent rainy season. I hadn't seen the...
Blackleg fungus in cabbages
Blackleg is a fungal disease that affects cruciferous crops and can do a lot of damage. Look out for it and take precautions so you won't get caught out.
Safeguarding soil fertility to cabbage maturity
Nitrogen is mobile and VITAL for a good cabbage crop. Get it right to produce consistent, high yields. Most crop failures are a direct result of nitrogen loss in soil.
What do you get for your 5%?
Professional farmers have ACCURATE data on what it costs them to market their fresh fruit and vegetables, locally and overseas.
Nitrogen procedure for a cabbage crop
Last week I mentioned how important it is to have sufficient nitrogen in the seedling and growing medium. The procedure needs to be maintained from here on - the early...
Who should get the credit?
The recent tendency among SOME senior market officials to create the impression that they are solely responsible for the successes of a market hasn't abated.
Cabbage basics: nitrogen & soil balance
Many VEGETABLE FARMERS ask what fertiliser to use when planting cabbages. The question assumes each crop has a specific requirement, regardless of what's already in the soil.
Spacing cabbages for the correct size
I'm often asked what the correct spacing should be when planting cabbages, as though there was only one answer. There's more to spacing than just setting out dimensions.
When state help worked
I've been going on recently about the Ministerial Interim Committee Report (MICR) on restructuring fresh-produce markets. I've not been too complimentary, because I see the whole thing as a political...
