Earthworms are sensitive soil-dwelling organisms that thrive in moist soils. They only live in damp environments because the moisture helps them maintain mucus secretions on their skin, through which they breathe. Without moisture, the worms will lose up to 20% in body weight each day until they dry up and Read more…
Most farmers know very little about earthworms, which is not so surprising since they live in the soil most of the time and seem to serve no other purpose than as snacks for chickens. But earthworms are more than just chicken food. They’re nature’s original farmers. Earthworms perform a variety Read more…
Yes. Organic and synthetic chemical fertilisers provide nutrients to plants in very different ways. Organic fertilisers, usually in the form of cow or chicken manures, compost, and nitrogen-fixing legumes, release nutrients to plants slowly over a period of months or even years. They add organic matter to the soil, reducing Read more…
Anyone who farms or gardens will be familiar with nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). They’re the 3 most talked about nutrients for plants, and can be found in organic and synthetic fertiliser forms. Nitrogen helps plants produce protein to build new tissues for leaves, stems, and branches. Plants Read more…
Soil pH is important because it influences which nutrients in the soil get absorbed by plants. It’s measured from 0.0 to 14.0, where 0.0 is most acidic (sour), 7.0 is neutral, and 14.0 is most alkaline (sweet). For those of you like us who are curious to know what pH Read more…
We grow chilis on our farm and discovered recently that birds were eating our red chilis. Surprised, we did some research and discovered that birds seem to be immune to the burning sensation of chilis. Some scientists say birds have so few taste buds that they cannot taste capsaicin, the Read more…
With climate change and unpredictable consumer demand, it’s important for farmers to diversify their products. More storms, stronger winds, and hotter temperatures may cause more diseases and pest infestations in the future. Epidemics like COVID-19 might influence people to stay more at home and hoard up on vegetables like lentils Read more…
In the natural world, soil replenishes itself. As seeds grow into plants, they absorb nutrients from the soil to produce leaves, roots, and fruits. When they die naturally, their bodies decompose and return nutrients to the soil. Sometimes, a herbivorous animal like a goat or a cow comes along and Read more…
Working with living things opens up several opportunities for chaos. Beautiful vegetables which were looking ready for harvesting 4 days ago may now be infested with stubborn aphids. A sudden thunderstorm has flooded some parts of your farm and your vegetables look like they’re dying from root rot. As farmers, Read more…
Knowing how different types of pests attack your vegetables can help you diagnose plant problems early. The two most common categories of pests are those that suck juices out of plants and those that chew on leaves and stems. Pests that suck juices have piercing mouthparts that look like bird Read more…