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Blog
Read the latest Starke Ayres Seed News magazine
14 April 2025
Why Non-GMO Seeds in South Africa Are the Best Choice
Discover why non-GMO seeds are the smart, sustainable choice for South African farmers and home gardeners. Trust Starke Ayres for quality and purity. Read More on this
Cabbage | 10 April 2025
STAR 3316 success in the Pongola area
Until now, STAR 3316 has not been widely planted in the Pongola area. Farmer Ludick Delport was one of the first local growers to plant commercial quantities of the variety. Although he has experience of a number of varieties he decided to try STAR 3316 following advice from his seedling supplier, CPS Pongola. Seedlings raised by CPS were transplanted on 15 April at a density of 20 000 plants/Ha. Read More on this
Broccoli | 3 April 2025
Alternaria head rot on Broccoli
Broccoli is affected by various diseases throughout the growing cycle and also later in the packing and distribution phases. An important disease to be aware of is Alternaria head rot, also known as pin rot. The fungal disease is caused by different Alternaria species, Alternaria brassicae, A. brassicicola and A. japonica. Read More on this
Blog | 14 March 2025
Why Bulk Seeds from Starke Ayres Are the Key to Sustainable Commercial Agriculture
Discover how bulk seeds from Starke Ayres support sustainable commercial agriculture with high yields, improved efficiency, and eco-friendly farming practices. Read More on this
Cauliflower | 13 March 2025
Clubroot-Resistant Brassica Varieties
Clubroot is a common disease of the Brassica family, caused by the soil-born pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae that can infect cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, and others. It can survive for years in the soil as resting spores before the presence of a susceptible host stimulates germination of these spores. Read More on this
Blog | 1 February 2025
Find Your Green Thumb: Discover the Best Vegetable Seed Supplier in South Africa
Looking for high-quality vegetable seeds in South Africa? Discover why Starke Ayres is the trusted supplier for home gardeners and commercial farmers. Read More on this
29 January 2025
Top 5 Lawn Seed Varieties for a Beautiful Yard: Insights from Starke Ayres
Transform your yard into a lush, green paradise with Starke Ayres' top 5 lawn seed varieties. Learn which seed is best for your climate and lifestyle. Read More on this
23 January 2025
January Gardening Tips: Managing Heat, Humidity, and Garden Pests
January brings hot, humid weather, high rainfall, and an explosion of growth across the garden, making it exciting and challenging for gardeners. This time of year is ideal for lush growth, but pests and diseases flourish thanks to the increased moisture. Here are some essential tips to keep your garden thriving and under control during this peak summer season. Read More on this
10 December 2024
Sustainable Gardening: How Microgreens Contribute to a Greener Planet
Discover how microgreens support sustainability and eco-friendly gardening. Starke Ayres explains the environmental benefits of growing these tiny, nutrient-packed greens. Read More on this
Blog | 14 November 2024
Why November is the Perfect Time to Plant Your Pumpkin Seeds
November is ideal for planting pumpkins! Discover why this month gives pumpkin seeds the perfect start and how to maximize your harvest with Starke Ayres seeds. Read More on this
31 October 2024
Late planting Test of Zandra pays dividends in Botswana
Star & Liz is a farm located in Medie, about 90 kilometres from Gaborone, Botswana. Tomatoes are an important crop and many different varieties have been tested at various times. The variety Zandra has produced remarkable results from an experimental late-season planting. Read More on this
Tomato | 22 October 2024
Strong performance from determinate Saladette Tomato STAR 9068
Meet Lloyd Sivhangi, a tomato farmer from Vuvani in the Limpopo province. He produces vegetables for the informal market and his produce is much in demand. Tomatoes are an important part of his offering and he has been using STAR 9068 for several years and the variety has proved to be very successful for him. Read More on this
Tomato | 17 October 2024
STAR 9065 Scores in Kenya
Kenyan farmers are renowned for being early adapters to change. This is evident in the fast switch many have made to the use of hybrid tomato varieties. Tomatoes are regarded as a high-value crop, and the increased productivity of hybrids has convinced most of their value. Read More on this
14 October 2024
How to Boost Vegetable Growth Through Strategic Pairing
Maximize your vegetable harvest with companion planting! Discover top plant pairings that boost growth, reduce pests, and improve soil health. Read More on this
Tomato | 10 October 2024
Cultivating success with trinity tomato
Mr Clement Chizela farms in the Mpongwe district of the Copperbelt Province in Zambia and has grown tomatoes for over 20 years. During a recent visit it was noted that Mr. Chizela was planting many different varieties including Tengeru Select and hybrids from various suppliers. At this stage, John Kayula from the ARATIS project introduced him to Trinity, a leading hybrid from Starke Ayres. Read More on this
3 October 2024
Blye – An old favourite still Delivering in Pongola
With any vegetable crop some varieties will last in the market for years while others will disappear within a few seasons. In some cases the older varieties may not be as productive as the new, but are more reliable under adverse growing conditions, giving producers greater security in difficult seasons. Read More on this
Melon | 26 September 2024
Goldelixir performs again and again
High yields are any melon farmer’s goal. Together with an impressive disease resistance package and vigorous growth habit, Goldelixir offers precisely the edge that one needs to get ahead. With current production costs, high yields are a necessity to stay in business as a farmer and provide food to the country. Read More on this
Tomato | 19 September 2024
New dawn seedling services: A Shining success in the Copperbelt
New Dawn Seedling Services is a flourishing seedling growing enterprise based in Luanshya, a town in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. This nursery is focused on the supply of top-quality vegetable seedlings to local farmers and home gardeners. A wide range of crops is offered and includes tomato, cabbage, onion, and pepper. Read More on this
13 September 2024
Low-Maintenance Flowers for Busy Gardeners: Beauty without the Fuss
Discover low-maintenance flowers that bring beauty to your garden with minimal effort. Starke Ayres shares top picks for blooms without the fuss. Read More on this
Butternut | 12 September 2024
Squashing misconceptions about Gummy Stem Blight
Growers of butternut, pumpkin and squash are all too familiar with a disease known as gummy stem blight (GSB). The fungal pathogen, previously known as Didymella bryoniae, may cause significant yield loss on most cucurbit species. The fungus has been re-classified as a complex of Stagonosporopsis species able to cause GSB, black rot (BR) and, sometimes, brown etch (BE) on cucurbit crops. Read More on this
Chilli | 4 September 2024
Red hot Chilli Zinger
The Pongola area of South Africa is renowned for its’ Thai chillies. STAR 6604 has been a leading variety in the region for many years but recent trials have identified a new contender for the crown. Zinger, trialled as HP 2089, has consistently proved superior to all other entries and is poised to become the new leader in the industry. Read More on this
Namibia | 29 August 2024
Irati for late sowing in Namibia
Namibia produces a significant quantity of short-day onions but is unable to plant longer-day-length varieties due to latitude. This means that at some times of the year, the country is dependent on imports. It has become important to try and lengthen the production season so that self-sufficiency in onions is extended. Read More on this
Onions | 22 August 2024
Brits Onion News – Tusker the young bull on the block
Although Brits in the North-West province of South Africa may not be the biggest onion-producing region of the country, it is certainly an important part of the overall supply picture. Brits is close to the 2 largest fresh produce markets in the country, Johannesburg and Tshwane, as well as large centres of population and many chain store operations. Read More on this
16 August 2024