Winter is here, which means it’s that time of the year when farmers start planting Mzansi’s most popular vegetables. We spoke to Anastasia Smith, a spinach farmer from Atlantis in the Western Cape, about what aspiring crop farmers need to know to get started.
Since vegetables are generally high in vitamins and other nutrients, their role in food security cannot be understated. Smith says, for aspiring farmers to be successful in winter, they must not underestimate the value of planning.
“Planning, planning and more planning. I cannot stress how important this is.”
Planning is also highlighted in this production guide from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), which encourages farmers to obtain as much information as possible and to try and understand the risks involved in having a vegetable operation.
Smith says that, depending on your climate and where you are in Mzansi, there is a large variety of crops you can plant during autumn and winter.
“Crops that can be planted in autumn and winter would be beans, beetroot, carrots, celery, kale, leeks, slitters, onions, parsnips, peas, radish, rocket, spinach and turnips.”
Where to start
It seems a bit backwards, but like with any type of farming venture, you need to consider the end of your production process before you even start. In this ARC guide, there are a number of factors farmers need to consider before they start growing winter crops, including your market and your input costs.
Before planting your crops, you need to establish where your primary market is and how you will get your produce there after the crops are harvested. You also need to think about how your produce will be stored.
Carrots, for instance, can last up to five days at room temperature, but require cold storage to extend their lives up to 21 days. Onions, on the other hand, must be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place and turned over regularly so they do not rot.
The guide also outlines the importance of calculating and constantly tracking your input costs. How much would you spend for each hectare you plant? Does your calculation include fertiliser, water, etc? Does your crop require any specialised input costs? What about labour?
Soil requirements
Another factor that is critical to the success of your operation is your soil. Smith says your soil needs to the right type.
“Preparing for winter crops depends entirely on what type of soil you have and what type of crop you intend to [plant]. I have sandy, loamy soil which is ideal for the crop I intend to plant, spinach.”
The ARC guide also lists sandy loam soil as ideal for winter vegetables, as well as clay loam soils. However, sandy soils are not ideal because they offer too much drainage of water and nutrients, and also contain menatodes, which are parasitic entities that feed on plant roots.
Smith explains that she prepares her soil prior to planting to ensure that her crops flourish. “We start off with rotating the previous crop into the soil, then [add] about 10 cubes of organic material mixed with a basic fertiliser such as 234, for land prepping.”
Infrastructure is important
Smith also explains that infrastructure is a very important part of her operation. She explains that planting out in the open puts your crops at risk of extreme weather conditions.
“As you know, some crops are sensitive to extreme cold and extreme heat, so you have to be careful when you are planting in an open field. You have to be most careful as you are at the mercy of Mother Nature.”
She recommends aspiring farmers look into different types of coverage for their winter crops.
“Shaded structures and greenhouse structures are relatively user-friendly. Polytunnels are more technical and costly, so it depends entirely on your market, as well as the quality of your produce.”
In their guide, the ARC confirms that the right infrastructure can “make or break” a sustainable vegetable operation. They list transport and tractors as key to a successful operation.
Pest and disease control
Dealing with pests and diseases is part and parcel of farming in Mzansi. Luckily, there are numerous biological control products available to farmers.
The ARC lists some the following guidelines for farmers wanting to choose the right disease limiting product:
- What are the specific disease problems you are experiencing on your farm? Make sure to get a product specific to your problem.
- Is the product registered under Act 36 of 1947?
- At what pH and temperature range is the biological agent is active? You need this information for effective and product application.
- Are you applying products to your crops during the growing season? If so, make sure your pest control product is compatible with those products.
- Test the product first. Applying it to your entire farm without knowing if it works could limit your yield.
ALSO READ: What to consider when starting a vegetable farm
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