Vegetable farming
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Dealing with weeds in cucurbits
Hand-weeding cucurbits is a labour-intensive operation and therefore expensive. It also has the disadvantage of recreating an environment where more…
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Minor cucurbit pests
This article explores three pests of cucurbits that are of lesser importance, but that nonetheless are still threats to be…
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Fertilising cucurbits: how much to apply and when to do it
All input costs have become more expensive, and fertiliser is no exception. For this reason, it makes sense to have…
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The importance of timing in your farming operation
Timing often separates successful farmers from those who are unsuccessful. Good farming is not just about having the requisite knowledge,…
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Cabbage: an ancient, nutritious crop more popular than ever
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which includes many cultivated species such as broccoli, cauliflower, turnips and Brussels…
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Swiss chard: seeds or seedlings?
Direct seeding Swiss chard offers a farmer a number of significant advantages: the seed itself is relatively cheap, you save…
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A successful cabbage crop starts with good seedlings
Before the introduction of cavity seedlings, most cabbage farmers grew their own seedlings in soil. This could be successful, but…
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Aphids: a potentially deadly threat to brassicas
If you notice one or two cabbage plants with some aphids on their leaves, you might be tempted to dismiss…
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Born to farm: A vegetable farmer’s tale of perseverance
Koketso Baloyi Mofokeng, the owner of Diatla Tshweu Farming, was born and raised on a farm in De Wildt, North West,…
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Black rot: take care to prevent this destructive disease
Black rot (Xanthomonas campestris) is the most well-known disease of cabbages and other brassicas. Occurring around the world, it can…
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