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 promotes healthy new growth.
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 produced.
Dealing with slugs and snails
These pests are not just the bane of the suburban gardener – they can wreak havoc with agricultural and horticultural crops, explains Paul Donovan.
Know your crop pests: Mealybug
Scientific name: More than 120 species have been identified in South Africa alone.
Family: Pseudococcidae
Distribution: Worldwide
Boosting kikuyu pasturage
Kikuyu is a perennial summer grass that can be over-sown by other pasturage in winter.
Understanding pesticide resistance
Why pesticide resistance is a serious problem, and how farmers can help to prevent it. Paul Donovan explains.
Preparing your land for winter
With a long hot summer almost over, it’s easy to become complacent. If you’re not careful, winter can arrive suddenly and find you unprepared.
Sawfly – pollinator and pest
Scientific name: Sawfly is the common name for insects belonging to suborder Symphyta of the order Hymenoptera.
Distribution: Widespread.
Interested in selling vegetables?
Before starting production, you should obtain as much information as possible – and ask yourself some tough questions! Commercial vegetable-growing is not for everyone.
Grazing perennial ryegrass
To survive, perennial ryegrass needs good management practices. In particular, farmers should ensure that grazing does not take place too frequently.
Know your crop pests: False codling moth
The false codling moth is a major pest of citrus and other commercial fruit in South Africa, causing a substantial financial loss every year.
Managing weeds, pests and diseases
A brief overview of the basic steps that you should take to protect your crops.
Starting with onions – Part 4
Bill Kerr explains how and when to harvest this crop, how to cure the onions, and how to pack them.
Know your crop pests: Leaf miner
‘Leaf miner’ is a generic name used to describe the larvae of a number of insect species such as moths, sawflies, flies, beetles and some wasps.
Starting with onions – Part 2
This week Bill Kerr discusses how to prepare the soil and plant the crop.
