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Showing 5011 - 5040 of 13861 comments
Eggplant (also Aubergine) 13 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
When eggplants are ripe they have creamy white flesh. If the flesh is greenish give them a bit more time. They will reward you well if they also have a good, even water supply. Trust this helps.
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Potato 12 Mar, Bill Guy (Australia - temperate climate)
We are "virgin" vegetable growers with a small garden. Can we grow potatoes in big plastic pots that a neighbour left behind when she moved. These pots have a tube sticking out at the side at the bottom which i guess is for draining. We have 3 of these pots. We would like to grow new potatoes for Christmas. We live in Adelaide when would plant the seed potatoes. We interested in growing our own organic vegies. Appreciate any advice. Wish us luck. Regards Bill.
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Potato 13 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Potatoes can certainly be grown in large pots or tubs. If the pots are about 15 to 20 litres (or more) they wil be ideal. Do the pots have a separate bottom in them? they may be self-watering pots. Put some newspaper or a layer of old cotton clothes or part of the leg of an old pair of jeans in the bottom. This will help hold water and will eventually rot, helping to build up the soil. Add a layer of good potting mix then a layer of old rotted manure. Follow this with another layer of potting mix so that your pot is about half full. Place a couple of pieces of potato or 'seed' potato on this layer and cover with potting mix. Consistent watering is very important for all plants in tubs. As the shoots emerge keep adding potting mix until you have reached the top (some weeks). Potatoes form off the stems on this section of the plant, not off the roots at the base. In colder areas leave planting until late winter. In Adelaide you may be able to put the pots in a sheltered spot and grow them throughout the year. You should have no difficulty having new potatoes for Christmas. New potatoes can be bandicooted about a month after flowering. Just scratch down beside the plant and take them, being careful not to disturb the plant too much. When the tops die off we call them old potatoes. These ones will keep longer. We are very happy to support you in your venture, all my answers or comments will be 'organic'. Keep the questions coming, remembering: 'there is no such thing as a dumb question'. All the best in your move to grow your own 'clean', healthy food.
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Strawberry Plants 11 Mar, Barry Folo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What are the best variety strawberries for south east Queensland?
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Strawberry Plants 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Tioga, Earlisweet and Redlands Crimson are good varieties for Queensland. Trust this helps.
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Ginger 11 Mar, Carmel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am growing both ginger and turmeric and was wondering if cutting the tops off will encourage better growth of the actual ginger or turmeric ?
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Ginger 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
The leaves on a plant photosynthesise using sunlight to build the plant including the roots. While pinching out the tips on some plants encourages branching the better way to increas your rhizome size would be to feed the soil. Plenty of old manure and mulch. Trust this helps.
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Asparagus 11 Mar, Fiona (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I gather the berries now in Autumn and keep them to sow in Spring? Should I keep the seeds cool?
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Asparagus 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
There's no reason not too. Mother Nature does it! Plant them in a row about 75 mm (3") sapart and separate them the following winter for planting in their permanent position. All the best.
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Spinach (also English spinach) 11 Mar, Viv Shakespeare (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grew up in NZ and we grew and ate what we called spinach (english) or silver beet. I can easily buy the same silverbeet but never see english spinach, only 'baby'spinach. Not what I want on a winter's night. I thought it may be bought up by supermarkets from 'down south'. Also what did you mean by NZ Spinach? Thanks.
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Spinach (also English spinach) 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
New Zealand spinach, which also grows wild in south eastern Australia is a soft leafed groundcover with the name of Tetragonia tetragonioides. It is also called Warrigal Greens. It grows easily from cuttings and can be eaten raw or steamed. Normally only the tips and fresh growth are eaten. (http://www.gardenate.com/plant/NZ%20Spinach?zone=2)
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Spinach (also English spinach) 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Try a fruit shop or green grocer. In Victoria we can buy it in a bunch, including the roots (washed). Alternatively you could grow your own. Seed is readily available. All the best.
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Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 11 Mar, Kerry (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing Rosella in my aquaponics it is doing really well 600mms high 2 of them but I don't know how it will go through winter any guesses?
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Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 11 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Rosella is an annual plant. You could save some seed for next season. All the best.
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Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 22 Mar, kerry (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best way to collect seeds
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Leeks 11 Mar, Lorraine (Australia - tropical climate)
When do I plant leeks in WA climate
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Leeks 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Leeks prefer temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees C. The WA Dept. Of Agriculture says they ca be grown all year round in Perth. Seeds take 2-4 months to be ready for transplanting and will take about 5-7months before they are ready for harvest. Leeks are often planted in trenches which are backfilled as they grow to produce long white shanks. They are delectable and are worth the wait if you have the available. All the best.
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Taro (also Dasheen, cocoyam) 11 Mar, Monika (Australia - tropical climate)
I am in Adelaide I am looking for taro to grow in my garden
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Taro (also Dasheen, cocoyam) 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Green Harvest at Maleny SE Qld list Taro. They can send to SA. There are no doubt other suppliers. You could try a local Permaculture group for some rhizomes as well. All the best
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Potato 10 Mar, Wendy (Australia - temperate climate)
Can a potatoes be grown in self wicking containers or would they get too damp?
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Potato 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Potatoes can be grown in wicking beds. If the beds are set up correctly they will only 'wick' the water that they need.
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Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 08 Mar, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Im looking to grow a large crop of rosellas . the land Im looking at is next to the Houghton river NQ & it floods from time to time. How do you think they go ? some plants recover , this area drains quickly but great soil & 100 megs of allocation .
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Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 09 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Your question is beyond the scope of this site. I have contacted the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and they said for you to get in touch with Sarah Lempus on (07) 4797 9725 or Sue Heisswolf on (07) 4797 9744. They are based in Bowen and should be able to help you. All the best with your venture.
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Parsley (also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley) 07 Mar, Richard Dinkha (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When is the best time to grow the Italian Parsley?.
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Parsley (also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley) 08 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Parsley seed can be sown any time between September and May. Curly and Italian (flat leaved) parsley are variations of the same plant. Seeds are slow to germinate and can take 3-5 weeks. Refer to the Gardenate Planting Guide for more details. Parsley is a biennial which means it has a two year life cycle. In the second year it will flower and seed. let one plant go to seed and drop its seed. you will end up with many seedlings as replacements. Trust this helps.
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Rhubarb 07 Mar, Brenda Robinson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just planted some rhubarb seedlings (probably wrong time of year maybe) however, how do I feed the plants and what with. I have put them in a pot and not in the ground, would this hamper the growth.
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Rhubarb 08 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Rhubarb has a large root when it is mature and would ideally need a pot abot 20 litres. It also likes cooler conditions so position the pot so it doesn't get the hot sun on the pot. Overall it is easy to grow; just keep the water up.
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Rhubarb 08 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
It's okay to plant rhubarb now. Rhubarb often dies back in the winter in cooler areas. It doesn't like a hot position so plant it so that it gets shelter from the afternoon heat if necessary. Rhubarb is a 'gross' feeder which means it likes lots of manure and water to give the best results. A couple of handfuls of Blood & Bone, a shovel full of old manure or a handful of pelletised manure placed in the bottom of the planting hole and covered with a layer of soil before planting will give good results. Most rhubarb that is sold is grown from seed and the resulting stem colour can range from all green to a good red. The flavour will still be the same. To redden it up when cooking add a few drops of cochineal (a natural red colouring) while it is cooking. To avoid adding sugar try using Stevia which is available at many shops. Stevia is a non calorie extract from the Stevia plant and is much better for you. All the best.
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 06 Mar, Trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
My rockmelon is rotting on the vine. The underside is being attacked by a mould on fungus. I have tried rolling the fruit over to have sunlight on all sides but it does not help. Even fruit hanging off the ground on a trellis is being attacked. Is there a spray or dust I can use to stop this problem?
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 08 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Any copper-based spray will work. As long as it is not applied excessively it is a safe spray to use. Rock melons are in the same family as pumpkins, zucchinis and cucumbers and are very susceptible to downy mildew and other fungal problems. To reduce the problem grow on trellises in a well ventilated spot. High humidity does not help the problem. Trust this helps.
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Showing 5011 - 5040 of 13861 comments
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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