Vegetable Farming | Farmer's Weekly

The importance of timing in your farming operation

Bill Kerr — Fri, 26 May 2023 08:25:11 +0000

You may know all that’s necessary about growing a crop, but if your timing is off, your profits will suffer severely, says Bill Kerr.

Fertilising cucurbits: how much to apply and when to do it

Bill Kerr — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 08:00:32 +0000

Fertiliser is expensive, so it’s important to start with a soil analysis, and to get the balance right, says Bill Kerr.

Minor cucurbit pests

Bill Kerr — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 08:12:22 +0000

Bill Kerr looks at the leaf miner, cucurbit ladybird beetle and African bollworm, all of which, despite being minor pests, can cause damage.vd

Dealing with weeds in cucurbits

Bill Kerr — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 13:20:03 +0000

Uncontrolled weeds can rob pumpkins and other cucurbits of the nutrients they need for a good yield. Yet weeds can also protect pumpkins at a later phase in their growth, says Bill Kerr.

Defeat Liriomyza leaf miner without paying a cent

Bill Kerr — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 08:30:12 +0000

Leaf miners are a serious threat to tomato plants. Yet tiny parastic wasps are on hand to help bring their numbers down. All it requires is a bit of patience from farmers, says Bill Kerr.

Cucurbits: A fascinating history of cultivation for over 11 000 years

Bill Kerr — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 08:00:15 +0000

These much-loved vegetables, which are technically fruits, were among the earliest cultivated crops in the world, says Bill Kerr.

Cucurbit planting strategies

Bill Kerr — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 08:39:57 +0000

To ensure a successful crop, it’s crucial to plant out the seedlings at the optimal time. Getting it wrong may prove expensive, says Bill Kerr.

The pros and cons of tunnel tomatoes

Bill Kerr — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 08:00:32 +0000

Growing tomatoes in tunnels is not as easy or affordable as some people think. Do your research before committing yourself, cautions Bill Kerr.

Bacterial wilt: a threat in tropical and subtropical areas

Bill Kerr — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 08:30:31 +0000

Once bacterial wilt has infected tomato plants, there is no way to stop its spread. Prevention is the only option, says Bill Kerr.

Taking care of tomatoes after transplanting

Bill Kerr — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 13:32:58 +0000

You can save money by scouting your tomatoes regularly and catching diseases and pests such as African bollworm early, before they establish a bridgehead in your crop, says Bill Kerr.