Planting season is here, and every farmer wants one thing: a good harvest.
But sometimes, the small mistakes we make at planting are the same mistakes that create losses later in the season.
Before you continue planting your rice, legumes, or other crops this season, take a moment to check if you are making any of these five common mistakes.
1. Planting Without Preparing Your Land Properly
Good crops start with good land preparation. Planting on poorly prepared land can lead to uneven germination, poor root development, weed problems, and difficulty managing the crop later.
What to do instead: Clear and prepare the field properly before planting. Make sure the soil is suitable for the crop and that the field is free from excessive weeds and unnecessary crop residue that may interfere with planting.
A well-prepared field gives your crop a better start.
2. Using Poor-Quality or Untreated Seeds
The seeds you plant can make a big difference to your harvest.
Seeds kept from a previous season or bought cheaply from an unknown source may have poor germination, low vigour, or carry pests and diseases. Starting with poor-quality seeds can affect the crop right from the beginning.
What to do instead: Use quality seeds from a trusted source and choose varieties that are suitable for your crop and location.
SARO Agrosciences provides reliable seed options, including FARO 44 and FARO 67 for rice, as well as SC 651 and SC 719 for maize, among other options.
Where applicable, use properly treated seeds and follow the recommended planting and seed-treatment practices for your crop.
Good planting starts with good seed.
3. Getting Your Spacing and Seed Rate Wrong
How much seed you plant and how you space during planting matters.
Planting too close together can cause plants to compete for water, nutrients, sunlight, and space. Planting too far apart, on the other hand, can leave too much unused space in the field and reduce your plant population.
What to do instead: Follow the recommended spacing and seed rate for your specific crop and variety.
Correct spacing gives your plants enough room to establish, grow, and make better use of available resources.
Not sure about the right agronomic practices for your crop?
The FarmPropa app, available on Android and iOS, provides practical agronomic information to help you make better decisions throughout the farming season.
4. Waiting Until Weeds Appear Before Taking Action
This is a common mistake. Many farmers wait until weeds are already visible before thinking about weed control. But by then, weeds may already be competing with your young crop for nutrients, water, sunlight, and space.
What to do instead: Where appropriate for your crop and farming system, consider pre-emergence weed control shortly after planting and before weeds emerge.
Starting weed management early can give your crop a better chance to establish with less weed competition.
SARO Agrosciences has several pre-emergence herbicide options, including Triplex, Rooter, Vigor, and Buster, with the right choice depending on the crop, weeds present, and your farming conditions. Also be prepared to apply an appropriate post-emergence herbicide when weeds begin to reappear.
Always use the herbicide recommended for your crop and follow the product label for the correct rate, timing, and application method.
5. Planting Without Paying Attention to the Rainfall Pattern
The rain has started, so it is time to plant, right?
Not always. Planting too early, before rainfall becomes reliable, can expose young seedlings to moisture stress. Planting too late can also affect the crop’s ability to complete its growth cycle before the rains reduce or stop.
What to do instead: Pay attention to the rainfall pattern in your area and plant within the recommended window for your crop, variety, and location.
Don’t plant simply because other farmers have started. The right planting time for one crop or location may not be the same for another.
Good Timing Can Make A Big Difference.
Get It Right From the Start
A good harvest does not begin at harvest time. It starts with the decisions you make before and during planting.
Before you continue planting, ask yourself:
✓ Is my field properly prepared?
✓ Am I using quality seeds?
✓ Am I using the right spacing and seed rate?
✓ Do I have a weed-management plan?
✓ Am I planting at the right time for my crop and location?
Getting these basics right can help you reduce avoidable losses and give your crops a stronger start.
Need guidance on agronomic practices, seeds, or the right weed-control solution for your farm? Download the FarmPropa app for practical agronomic information, and speak with a trusted SARO dealer for reliable agricultural inputs.
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