The Most Important Things To Know About Phosphorus

Apart from powdery mildew (discussed in last week’s column), viruses are the next challenge that almost every cucurbit grower will face at some stage.

Tomatoes come in all shapes and sizes, from large beefsteaks grown on cordons to tiny cherry varieties, suitable for cultivating in a hanging basket.

The first symptoms of bacterial wilt are so severe that it looks as if the plants have suffered a water shortage or their roots have been damaged.

Find out how to reduce plastic use in your garden, with tips on planting, reusing and recycling.

Magnesium is a core part of enzymes, proteins, and the machinery of photosynthesis. When it’s deficient, it can negatively impact the productivity of your syste

As with any crop, there’s a risk to planting cucurbits and then doing ‘bakkie’ farming – skirting the land with your head half-way out of the driver’s side wind

Calcium is one of the most important plant nutrients in fact, there are some who argue that it should be one of the primary plant nutrients along with nitrogen

In frosty areas, growers usually want to start planting as soon as it’s safe to do so. But due to late frosts, the timing isn’t always easy to determine.

In the last issue, the importance of spacing Cucurbitaceae was discussed. Aspects other than climate will influence the spacing.

You don’t fertilise cucurbits solely according to the plant’s requirements – you also have to take into account the soil’s fertility.

No chances should be taken with border soil. It is advisable to have some form of analysis carried out, even if it is only a pH and potato cyst eelworm check.

Typical symptoms: Red blisters appear on leaves in early summer; infected leaves turn brown and fall prematurely.

You can order these controls through the post, and they come in a form which is easy to distribute around the greenhouse

Including: marrows, courgettes, cucumbers, squashes and pumpkins

Staking tomatoes involves a lot of work and expense, and many try to avoid this by planting determinate varieties.

I’ve been devoting so much time to the spacing of Cucurbitaceae because this aspect is so little understood and has been a limiting factor for countless produce

It’s important to get the timing right for post-planting nitrogen, cultivation and irrigation if you want to optimise Cucurbit production.

Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that is scientifically classified as Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla , and it belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae.

Short on space? Discover how to grow delicious potatoes in a pot - ideal for a small garden, patio or balcony.