Know your crop pests: The mole cricket

Many pests are easily spotted or leave evidence of their presence, enabling us to identify and deal with them. Pests such as the mole cricket, however, are more difficult to...

Know your soil – Part 1

This year has been designated the International Year of Soils by the United Nations, so it’s a fitting time to learn more about the properties of soil and how to...

All about chicory

Plans are underway to curb imports and revive the industry in South Africa.

Maintaining your sprayer

Some basic precautions to keep you safe and your sprayer in good working order.

Testing your soil

Understanding the make-up of soil is fundamental to achieving the best crop yield. The advent of a simple-to-use soil test kit has made this a great deal easier, says Paul...

Parasitoids – The ‘good guys’

Parasitoids employ remarkable strategies to attack their hosts, many of which are crop pests. Paul Donovan looks at why these insects are allies of farmers.

Fungicide fundamentals

Fungicides are an effective weapon against fungal diseases. But care should be taken to apply them correctly, says Paul Donovan.

Protecting granadillas against pests

Methods of controlling dikvoet, leaf wilters and other diseases and pests.

Know your crop pests: Locust

Not for nothing do we speak of a ‘plague’ of locusts – these pests can destroy crops in an entire region and swarms can survive for years.

Pruning, fertilising and harvesting granadillas

Pruning and thinning out are necessary when the granadilla vine becomes unproductive. This allows light and air to reach the inner parts of the vine, discourages pests and diseases, and...

An easy guide to growing granadillas

In South Africa, the purple granadilla, also known as the passion fruit, is grown commercially as well as for home use. Here is an overview of how this crop is...