Farming Organically

Tierhoek and Spaarkloof Farms are in an ideal position in which to grow organic fruit and vegetables. Enclosed by the majestic Laangeberg to the north-east and lower hills to the south, our valley is physically protected from invasive bugs or un-welcome chemical spray drift, making it an excellent environment for natural bees and insect life.

Organic farming has many dimensions to it and is not just about the exclusion of harmful chemical pesticides. At Tierhoek and Spaarkloof we focus on four main areas:-

• Soil health
• Water management
• Natural control of pests and diseases
• Encouragement of beneficial insects and wildlife

Soil health

It is the quality of the soil, which makes a tree physically strong and enables it to naturally resist many diseases.

Compost - Soil quality is enhanced by adding compost to each planting hole and then further additions of compost during the early growing years.

Mulch – straw and cut grass is put down around each tree to keep the soil moist and make a healthy environment for earth-worm activity.

Weeds - they cover the soil keeping it cool and moist. We have not sprayed weed killer on this farm for over six years, which means the weeds are part of our orchards. They are cut 2 or 3 times each year thus adding their own nutrients to the soil.

Compost tea – a liquid mixture made with compost, kelp and fish emulsion, which is rich in beneficial soil micro-organisms. This is sprayed on the leaves to form a competition barrier for fungi and diseases and is put through the water lines to give nutrients to the soil.

Worms – The guys who really do the work! There are not nearly enough of them in the Cape soils so we are developing our own wormery which will produce excellent, natural plant nutrients that we can gather and add to the soil through the irrigation. Worms and trees are only really happy when both work together so we want to encourage them as much as possible!

Water management

Good quality water, along with careful irrigation scheduling, is vital to the successful growth of trees and plants. Our farm is supplied by natural water sources namely, the Laangeberg range and from carefully positioned boreholes. With an annual rainfall of only 400mm, careful planning goes into the use of water. Mulches along with shorter, but more frequent irrigation of orchards, helps maintain soil moisture. This allows for the hair-roots of the tree to ‘drink' sufficiently to keep the tree happy and productive, as well as ensure good, flavourful fruit.

Natural control of pests and diseases

Many of the problems encountered with pests and diseases are brought about by climate change. We have found that the best way to counter-act infection is to make the tree as healthy and physically strong as possible through good soil health, compost, compost tea and mulching. For fruit fly and false coddling moth problems we do hang mating disruption stations in the orchards, which give off pheromones, thereby confusing the male moths and preventing reproduction. Should we encounter any infestation of unfriendly bugs or fungi there are natural products that you can spray to help the tree along such as garlic, chilli, neem oil, citronella oil, natural expellers, small measured quantities of copper or sulphur and some natural fungi that prey on problem bugs.

In the young orchards buck and porcupines are kept from eating new young shoots by spraying a chilli mixture onto the young trees. Hungry baboons are prevented from entering some orchards by high-voltage electric fencing, while regular foot patrols also scare them back into the mountains.

Organic farming does not mean you do not spray. What it does mean is that you do not spray chemical pesticides or herbicides into your orchards, both of which are indiscriminate in their destruction of nature and who knows what they are doing to us?

Encouragement of beneficial insects and wildlife

Good soil health, healthy trees and pesticide free farming techniques mean that the natural balance of insects and wildlife is maintained.

Bees- these are also one of the most important workers on the farm. During pollination in spring time we are extremely lucky to have a vast source of wild bees living in the fynbos around the orchards. We don't bring bees onto the farm at all….with out these guys nothing happens!!

The mating disruption techniques keep fruit fly and false-coddling moth at bay (both of which are not natural to the Cape ). Also, when infestations do occur, the trees natural defence mechanisms can ward off any major threats.