Scale Insects – Pest of the Month

 Scale at a glance   Type of Damage Pierce-sucking Plant Symptoms Stunted growth, leaf drop, leaf curl, death Favourite Plant Many trees and shrubs, citrus especially Occurrence Year-round in areas with mild winters (SA) Distribution Worldwide Control Moderate: physical control and preventative measures preferable, biological control agents available   Quick Intro Scale insects are found…

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Sci-Fi Beehives: Smart Phones & Bee Messages!

  Bees are one of the most important animals when it comes to food production (a close second in my opinion after earthworms who supply healthy soil). Bees have been domesticated since antiquity; the ancient Egyptians depict workers smoking hives and collecting honeycombs in temple paintings dating before 2422 BC. Bee hives have taken on…

Cucumber: How To Grow – Fruit of the Month

Cucumber stats/requirements at a glance Ease of Raising: 2/5       - Weekly check-up Water: 4/5       - Daily Sun: 5/5       - Full sun, no shade Training: 2-4/5    – Moderate (on trellis) Fertilise/Feeding: 3/5       – Moderate (monthly) Time to Harvest: 3/5       – Moderate (2-3 months from seed) Frost Hardiness: 1/4       – Very Tender (cannot take light…

Solar Power in South Africa Part 4: Capacity, Design and Back-up Supply; Living with Solar in Gauteng, South Africa

Capacity, Design & Back-up Supply (Author: The Economist) A real life true journey of a South African family to go off-grid on sustainable energy supply and usage. Capacity: How big must my solar system be was probably the first question that we needed to answer back in 2014. Every family will have its own needs,…

Flies: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month

Flies at a glance Occupation: Predator, pollinator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller and Pollinator Danger to Humans: 2/5 – Most are harmless, some bite Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some Quick Intro Flies are seen as vermin and disgusting creatures. Although a large portion of flies are detrivores and…

Sustainable, Productive and Economical Vegetable Gardening (Part 4): Vegetable Garden Planting Guide & Management

When you consider an ideal vegetable garden I imagine that many of you (as well as myself at one point too) had the following image in mind: Vegetables arranged in neat regimented lines or blocks containing one type of vegetable, perfectly bordered by some type of hedging and clear weed free paths between the planted…

Sweet Potato: How To Grow – Vegetable of the Month

Sweet Potato stats/requirements at a glance Ease of Raising: 5/5 - Very easy Water: 2-4/5 – Twice a week to daily Sun: 4/5 - Full sun, will tolerate shade Training: 1/5 – None, except for unwanted runners Fertilise/Feeding: 3/5 – Moderate (monthly) Time to Harvest: 4/5 – Moderate (3-4 months as leaves die, but well…