In October 2004 we started
work on a new permanent trial farm near Lanseria, about 20km
north of Johannesburg. The new property is 5,22 ha in extent
and is ideally suited to our need both for a trial ground
as well as additional storage space. The soil is a sandy loam
underlain by dolerite and ouklip - a commonly found soil type
in the central part of the country. Trials are already underway
both indoors (two plastic tunnels erected by Chris Hefer),
and in open field plots. The first completed trial was a comparative
yield trial of 4 baby marrows and three patty pan varieties,
and a summer cabbage and cauliflower trial for head weight
/ yield versus maturity and adaptability. Other trials currently
underway are long cucumber (5 varieties), tomato (10 varieties)
and pepper 12 varieties, hot pepper (3 varieties), brussels
sprouts, broccoli and celery. |
