Plant
How biotech crops can crash- and still never fail
The U.N. Food Systems Summit put biotechnology at center stage, although agroecological innovations offer greater promise for sustainability.
- How do you decide if your fruit trees need fertilizer? Ask an expert
- How the Scottish are finding food solutions using vertical farming
- Field peas and the future of farming
- How to grow hydroponic lettuce - Instructions and plant care tips
- Utilizing old dragon fruit branches to compost bio-organic fertilizer
- Growing leeks in your garden
- Getting ready to plant cucurbits
- The basics of maize production
Plant
![No-till: increasing soil organic content](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2020/aaa3eb39-5e390deb425cc59271a507e5.jpg)
No-till: increasing soil organic content
With no-till farming, you need to try to gradually increase the organic content of the soil.
![Beware of that foliar feed mixture!](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2020/e16e230c-5e37b980425cc5764f8a98a1.jpg)
Beware of that foliar feed mixture!
Company representatives often bombard farmers with products claimed to increase yield at little cost.
![The need for manure to be broken down](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/a949c6c8-5e2290d5425cc587702da826.jpg)
The need for manure to be broken down
Suggested application rates for some common crops, including tomatoes and potatoes.
![How to fertilise a crop correctly](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/6ab24648-5e2008e3425cc560488bb8e7.jpg)
How to fertilise a crop correctly
Readers frequently ask me for specific fertiliser programmes for their crops. I would happily oblige if all crops were the same!
![The benefits of organic matter](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/bbd484c5-5e1eb505425cc5d14f63a1d4.jpg)
The benefits of organic matter
In contrast, in a chemically based system, the interaction between the minerals becomes critical and complex, and a farmer needs a great deal of experience
![Growing in hot and dry conditions – Part 1](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/b003720d-5e1d36e6425cc5b63072675c.jpg)
Growing in hot and dry conditions – Part 1
Here are some guidelines for growing vegetables under drought conditions.
![Slow US planting, growing seasons end in delayed corn, soybean harvest](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/3878027e-5e1d364f425cc5e42d72675f.jpg)
Slow US planting, growing seasons end in delayed corn, soybean harvest
Late-planted feed crops in the US may see harvest challenges from weather, moisture levels, drying costs and quality, says analyst.
![Know your soil – Part 5: the value of phosphorous](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/1e00f699-5e183c04425cc525637d5c68.jpg)
Know your soil – Part 5: the value of phosphorous
Continuing with our discussion of the soil analysis, we now come to phosphorous (P).
![Know your soil – Part 4](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/6451c5d7-5e16de9d425cc57c34c16dd1.jpg)
Know your soil – Part 4
The pH of soil is a reflection of its acidity or alkalinity. In the absence of base minerals such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and sodium (Na)
![Know your soil – Part 1](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/acb14aa7-5e1547fc425cc53d542d7b95.jpg)
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
![Know your soil – Part 3](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/d67119c7-5e142819425cc5d30b650ce9.jpg)
Know your soil – Part 3
Generally, the price per hectare of farmland does not vary much across a region, but the land’s true value does vary according to its productivity.
![Know your soil – Part 2](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/eb113077-5e12ed55425cc52618f28019.jpg)
Know your soil – Part 2
If you have a proper understanding of the soil on your farm, you will be able to farm more efficiently – and get more enjoyment from farming.