Blog
Blog
Read the latest Starke Ayres Seed News magazine
Pepper | 18 June 2025
Protecting Peppers From The Green Bridge
The control of plant viruses such as Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Potato Virus Y (PVY), and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) is essential for yield and quality in pepper production. Read More on this
Blog | 13 June 2025
Gardening Tips for Winter: Essential Tools, Seeds, and Maintenance Advice
Discover essential winter gardening tips including tools, cold-hardy seeds, and maintenance advice from Starke Ayres to keep your garden growing all season. Read More on this
Onions | 12 June 2025
Northern Cape Onion Region – Starke Ayres Range
The Northern Cape onion production area of South Africa is an important and integral part of the onion supply chain. Starke Ayresis committed to meeting growers’ needs with respect to variety choice and to this end continues to trial and introduce new genetics to the region Read More on this
Lettuce | 5 June 2025
Launch Of 2 New Innovative Speciality Lettuce Varieties
In an exciting development for the local speciality lettuce industry, two new green multileaf type lettuce varieties, Verdagio and Green Machine, have been launched by Starke Ayres. Both promise superior yields, vibrant colour, and vigorous growth. Read More on this
15 May 2025
The Relevance Of Small-Scale Farming
Small-scale farming is vital to large population sectors in many countries. It is also becoming more relevant as a complement to commercial growing, supplying specialist markets that may require smaller quantities of very specific product. Read More on this
Blog | 13 May 2025
Growing Your Winter Garden: What to Plant
Keep your garden thriving this winter with Starke Ayres’ top picks for cold-weather crops. Discover what to plant for a productive winter harvest. Read More on this
24 April 2025
OBARO Inter Unie 2024 – SEDIBA KWELE, Brits
On 1-3 March 2024, the Obaro Inter Unie event was hosted by Sediba Kwele in Brits. This event offers a unique opportunity for new generation farmers to meet and interact with contemporaries, make new contacts and take a short break from the pressures of farming Read More on this
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