media & Irrigation Blog
“Insights & advice from the field”
MuddyBoots believes in sharing what we see in the orchards.
Our irrigation blog below captures our social media posts and other media appearances that we make.
2026/08/01 : LinkedIn : irrigATION TRAINING
Lutzville Landbouskou
Landbou weekblad and the Lutzville Landbouskou put together a great morning of interesting speakers and discussions at this year’s Volhoubare Landboukonferensie in Lutzville. Thank you for including me in the program to speak about the basic principles of irrigation scheduling and running a practical discussion in the orchards in the afternoon.
2026/07/14 : LinkedIn : irrigation Book
CRI Irrigation Book
I am very honoured to have been involved in editing the chapters for this irrigation handbook for the citrus industry. I have no doubt that it will add great value and I cannot wait to see it in print.
Thank you to the authors Philip Myburgh and Johan van Zyl, and to the CRI for putting this book together.
2026/07/02 : LinkedIn : irrigation Training
Nexus Winter School
Thank you to Nexus Langkloof for including me in their Winter School program and arranging a very informative lineup of speakers.
2026/03/13 : Farmers Weekly : Insights from a soil scientist
What lies beneath: insights from a soil scientist
The 2025/26 fruit and wine harvests are drawing to a close after a hot, dry start, heavy rain at peak harvest, and a March heatwave, creating uncertainty across the Western Cape. Karen van der Westhuizen, a soil scientist and irrigation consultant, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the benefits of digging profile holes.
2026/03/17 : LinkedIn : SATI Beyond the Bunch
Precision irrigation & nutrition
Thank you SATI for including me in this quarter’s Beyond the Bunch which has a special focus on irrigation.
This edition focuses on 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, exploring the science and practical considerations behind effective water management in table grape production. Effective irrigation is one of the most critical factors influencing vineyard performance. This publication provides valuable insights to help producers optimise irrigation practices and improve sustainability.
2026/03/02 : LinkedIn : irrigation Training
Irrigation Training for OROB and AECI clients
A big thank you to OranjeRivier Oesbeskerming (OROB) and AECI for inviting me to present irrigation training sessions for their clients along the Orange River. Three intensive one-day courses were presented; two in the greater Kakamas region and one in Aussenkehr.
2025/12/11 : LinkedIn : irrigation Strategies
2025-26 season off to a high irrigation demand
We are all aware that the last 7 weeks (Nov & Dec 2025) have been hotter and windier than normal. As such the irrigation demand has increased significantly. This on top of a dry end to winter and dry start to spring. The increase in irrigation demand is clearly indicated in the total weekly ETo’s when comparing this season to the past 11 years (graph to the left with this season’s data in red).
For more details click the link below.
2025/11/20 : LinkedIn : irrigation Strategies
Critical period for irrigation scheduling
For most of our fruit crops in the Western Cape, we are entering the critical period for irrigation scheduling, with the aim of maintaining an ideal soil moisture through the profile down to 60-80cm for optimal fruit size.
Obviously there may be blocks requiring deficit strategies to control vigour or fruit size, or soils that require specific strategies, but in general, now is the time to manage and monitor your soil moisture through the profile. Don’t however over compensate and manage a wet profile, as this will also stress the crop and be detrimental to root development.
If in doubt, dig a lekker deep hole. See where your roots are situated and what the distribution of soil moisture is.
2025/11/03 : LinkedIn : NGGA Block competition
NGGA Block Competition 2025, Aussenkehr
It was a privilege to have been invited to be part of the judging team for the NGGA table grape block competition in Aussenkehr last week. It is always great to have exposure to different growing regions and to learn from other experts in the industry.
Well done to all the entrants and to the winners. Wishing everyone a very successful harvest ahead.
2025/09/22 : LinkedIn : irrigation strategies
Start the irrigation season right
With our winter rains appearing to have finished earlier than in the past two season, we expect that the irrigation season will start earlier.
As such, it is important to make sure that everything is ready in time.
2025/06/30 : LinkedIn : Re-sharing Guy Sela’s post
Yield gaps often start below 30cm.
Great insights from Guy Sela.
In my opinion, the crux to effective irrigation scheduling for fruit orchards is managing the soil moisture and root development at 40 to 80cm. Too many people only concentrate on the top 30 to 40cm.
2025/05/12 : LinkedIn : Irrigation Training
Invest in your citrus irrigation team.
A productive day of detailed irrigation scheduling training was provided to Origin’s citrus growers in Groblersdal including HNP Citrus.
2025/03/06 : LinkedIn : Irrigation design
Do you know where your irrigation water infiltrates?
Choosing the right irrigation design is critical for achieving optimal irrigation scheduling.
2025/03/06 : LinkedIn : Post harvest irrigation
Get excited when you see white roots in the soil profile.
Post-harvest irrigation plays a crucial role in preparing vines, pome and stone fruit trees for the next season.
2025/01/22 : LinkedIn : ISHS special irrigation session : Combined Congress
Challenges & Advances in crop irrigation across South Africa.
I was very honoured to have been invited to present and sit on the panel discussions at the ISHS Irrigation special session on Wednesday, hosted at the Combined Congress in Polokwane.
2024/12/05 : LinkedIn : Probe Placements
A representative soil moisture probe position is key for reliable readings
Soil moisture probes can be fantastic tools, enabling growers to monitor hourly fluctuations in soil moisture at various depths in the soil. However, to obtain accurate and representative data, proper placement is essential.
2024/10/23 : LinkedIn : SAIAE International Symposium
Engineering within the agricultural environment
Honoured to have been invited to speak at the Engineering within the Agricultural Environment International Symposium tomorrow, on the topic of “The importance of soil mapping for irrigation and drainage designs”.
2024/10/11 : LinkedIn : Irrigation Training
Kromco Irrigation training
A few pictures from yesterday’s irrigation training that was run for the irrigation teams from Kromco. A detailed theory session in the morning with books provided in English and Afrikaans, followed by a practical session in the orchards.
2024/10/03 : LinkedIn : Irrigation Farm visit
When in doubt, dig a hole
The key to successful irrigation scheduling is to understand the soil’s physical properties, the roots (depth, density and health), as well as the soil moisture distribution through the profile.
2024/09/16 : LinkedIn : irrigation strategies
Understanding your soil
Do you know your soil variation, root depth and how this effects your irrigation scheduling during the season?
2024/09/04 : LinkedIn : irrigation strategies
Early season irrigation
The new season is here, and it is time to make sure that your irrigation systems are ready (if you haven’t done so already) and to start monitoring your soil moisture.
2024/08/30 : LinkedIn : Irrigation Farm visit
Sharing practical knowledge with the industry
Sharing knowledge gained from practical experience on root development, soil’s hydraulic conductivity, different irrigation designs and their effects on irrigation scheduling during the growing season.
2024/08/27 : LinkedIn : Irrigation training
Prophyta Short Course
It is always great to be part of the annual Prophyta short course, run for the pome and stone fruit industry and hosted in Grabouw. This year’s course was very well attended with 37 growers and representatives from the industry.
2024/07/26 : LinkedIn : Subsurface Drainage
Subsurface Drainage
The importance of subsurface drainage.
Proper orchard planning before planting is critical for your irrigation management early in the season, as well as during the season.
2024/07/10 : LinkedIn : Irrigation training
Invest in your team
Invest in your team, as well as your orchards.
It may be flooding now, but prep in the winter for the upcoming summer.
