All recent comments/discussion

Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
Showing 5281 - 5310 of 13861 comments
Rhubarb 07 Jan, norman john Chapman (Australia - temperate climate)
1st time Rhubarb grower;1 plant going strong 3mths from a seadling ; good red stalks. 1) when do I pick them? 2) do I break them off at the base as I do Silver Beat? 3) should I grow 2 or more to produse enough for a Apple & Rhubarb desert?
Reply
Rhubarb 09 Jan, John (Australia - temperate climate)
To harvest rhubarb stalks pull them down and twist them away from the crown. You will get the idea when you try it. Two healthy well fed plants will produce a lot of stalks but it all depends on how much Apple and Rhubarb pie you like! Rhubarb also make3 a lovely sparkling brewed drink aas well, only takes a fw days in soft drink bottles.
Reply
Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 06 Jan, Raj (Australia - temperate climate)
I am living in Melbourne and trying to grow okra from last few years But only five to six seedlings are growing from 30 seeds. Can I saw seeds directly in ground now or it's too late
Reply
Yacon (also Sunroot) 05 Jan, russell bunce (Australia - temperate climate)
what are the health benefits from eating Yacon
Reply
Lettuce 04 Jan, john shanahan (Australia - temperate climate)
Why is it that so many of vegetable plants go to seed before 'hearting'. Mainly lettuce?
Reply
Lettuce 06 Jan, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi John, not sure if your question is about your garden, or just seeding in general. I had total failure with my lettuce this year. I planted in November, and the Sydney summer was just too hot. In some areas classed as temperate climate you can plant all year, but this guide can't fit everyone. Where I live is generally 6 degrees hotter than Sydney CBD throughout summer, so trying lettuce at that time of year was stupid. Lesson learned. Regarding bolt in general, I think it's really just that plants will do anything to survive. I'm no botanist, so this is all my opinion only. If the conditions are perfect, the plant has the energy and nourishment to produce a harvest. As conditions move further away from ideal, the plants behaviour becomes less about producing a large crop (showing off), and more about survival. When conditions are untenable, the plant will abandon the crop, and put all available energy into producing seeds to try again next year. That's bolt as I understand it, I'm more than happy to be corrected.
Reply
Lettuce 09 Jan, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Lettuces like cooler weather. Varieties like Iceberg, Imperial 847, Imperial Triumph will bolt to seed readily.Great Lakes, Penn Lake, Yatesdaale will tolerate warmer conditions but are a coarser leafed lettuce.
Reply
Eggplant (also Aubergine) 04 Jan, Zak (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in sydney can we grow eggplant from the seed now in January month, also pls advise best time to grow like which months in sydney.
Reply
Kale (also Borecole) 04 Jan, JACK SKENDER (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow my kale in sandy soil just north of Perth WA.. My problem is that the leaves develop yellow blotches after a period of 6 months. I thought it might be an element deficiency in the soil and applied trace elements without success. I have used various fertilizers to no avail. Can you suggest what element my soil could be deficient in for the Kale Many thahks Jack Skender
Reply
Kale (also Borecole) 17 Mar, Bruce (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Jack, yes always a challenge in sandy soil. You won't look back if you use Paul Gautschi's Back to Eden method. It never fails! Google "Back to Eden Garden" The film is also available on YouTube and Vimeo. Good luck.
Reply
Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 04 Jan, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
A more general question regarding crop rotation... I chose corn because I've seen several such discussions on this board. When you plant in rotation 'following' another crop... from where does the benefit come? Must I compost any leftover foliage of the previous crop and dig it back in to gain benefit? Or is there some other reason?
Reply
Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 03 Jan, Max Collier (Australia - tropical climate)
I bought a fairly mature plant from Bunnings here in Broome WA, very healthy plant 500 mm high or maybe more?, i put it in the ground & have a drip on to water it, sometimes it withers a bit but then returns to normal, problem is it flowers ok but as soon as the flower has finished it just drops off, no sign of fruit at all, Bunnings say it will come good but i'm not sure about that?, maybe too much water??, some lower leaves are yellow, does that mean anything?, most are bright green, it's been in the ground for about two weeks now, some full sun & semi shade, got to get it right so i can dry some along with figs & also to add to apricots e t c, regards Max Collier.
Reply
Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 07 Apr, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
try giving it a heap of Blood & Bone
Reply
Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 02 Feb, Otzi (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm no expert but they like a bit of water. This year with a wet spring our plant got going better than previous. yellow lower leaves, either no light there or needs bit more water. Too much fert. can push leaves at flower expense. Dropping blooms often because a heat burst or insufficient water. I would venture it may be too hot in Broome. Here Melbourne it grows just fine but in open dappled shade. Ours is about 1mt. by 4mts. These outer spreaders die after fruiting. Still need good soaking every day in summer 28-38*C. Oh.. I would seek a higher authority than Bunnings for tricky probs. -- Just reread post. Two weeks, forget it. the y. leaves is as stated. Seedling history in tough conditions. Do prune late winter to tidy up.
Reply
Rhubarb 03 Jan, Graeme (Australia - temperate climate)
My rhubarb was doing quite ok......only just 12 months old. It is planted in my raised bed vegie patch. But suddenly the stalks and leaves went limp and have now perished. It looks quite dead. I watered it along with the rest of the vegies almost daily. Could I have over-watered it ? If so, would I be better having my rhubarb in a large pot ? The vegie patch gets bags of cow manure and organic each year before planting, so the soil is quite rich. (My tomatoes have gone "feral). Any help you can give would be appreciated. I live in Corowa on the Murray River and we have hot summers.
Reply
Rhubarb 03 Jan, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
Rhubarb normally thrives with plenty of water and manure but doesn't like the belting heat. I have grown rhubarb for years in a spot with morning sun and shelter after noon. and have had good success. if you have digging around the plant you may have rodents eating the roots but I've never encountered that. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Reply
Ginger 03 Jan, Trudy (Australia - tropical climate)
I have inherited a ginger crop from the previous owner of our house and have no idea how to harvest and replant. We bought the house in February 2016 and the ginger plant was about half a meter in height. I have not done anything until now and they have grown to about a meter in size but the leaves have been a bit damaged by grass hoppers. I dug up the crop to rebuild the vege garden and then replanted the crop in fresh good quality soil. Since then the plants have fallen over and don't look too healthy. Not sure if I should have planted them deeper or cut the whole leaf off and replanted the roots as described above. I am not sure how long they have been there but would really like to save them if possible. Any advice would be appreciated.
Reply
Ginger 04 Jan, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You didn't say when you did this, but disturbing the ginger before it died off in winter was your problem. At the moment all its energy is going into maintaining the leaves. I would chop them off or at least by half if some are still good and it will then try to save it's roots and ,maintain the ginger corm. It should then send up new leaves when ready. Keep it moist but not wet so,it doesn't rot. If by winter nothing has happened, dig it up and check the corms are healthy, split if big and replant. Edible ginger is better every two years as bigger corms form, which is when I divide. It freezes in alfoil also. Fresh ginger can be harvested carefully anytime from side.Hope this helps.
Reply
Onion 02 Jan, Bob (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in Sydney NSW, and I think I'm in the temperate zone. is that correct Cheers
Reply
Onion 03 Jan, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
Sydney would be temperate but you can grow a lot of subtropical things there as well. A lot of Sydney does not get frosts.
Reply
Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 01 Jan, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bunnings has both seeds and seedlings.
Reply
Ginger 01 Jan, Sherrill (Australia - tropical climate)
Just wanted to say. My ginger crop originated from fruit shop bought ginger. A couple of pieces started to shoot. I cut them into pieces like you do with a sprouting potato and shallow planted them in a mix of soil and potting mix with a little sugarcane mulch over the top. The first crop was a bit ordinary when I harvested. I had missed some pieces and they have come up by themselves. This second crop is much bigger and better. The plants are much stronger too. I will now be growing ginger in my other garden beds as a rotational crop because ginger leaves the soil friable and ready to plant.
Reply
Ginger 01 Jan, Scott (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks for your tips Sherril. I'm going to have a go at growing it myself but I think I'll be growing ginger in pots as I'm in Victoria and don't think it would survive our cooler months.
Reply
Collards (also Collard greens, Borekale) 01 Jan, Maureen (Australia - temperate climate)
Just wanted to thank everyone for all the information they have posted regarding this topic.Very informative.Much appreciated.Cheers
Reply
Yacon (also Sunroot) 30 Dec, Virginia Contreras (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I purchase yacon tuber to plant?
Reply
Yacon (also Sunroot) 05 Apr, steve Kennewell (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Virginia I have Yacon growing at Mt Burnett, Vic. I'm happy to share some if you want to send me a self addressed post pack. cheers Steve
Reply
Yacon (also Sunroot) 03 Jan, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Green Harvest at Maleny in QLD and Waldecks in Perth
Reply
Yacon (also Sunroot) 02 Jan, Aardie (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought mine at Bunnings very cheap
Reply
Yacon (also Sunroot) 05 Apr, Roy (Australia - temperate climate)
It is interesting to hear that you purchased the plant from Bunnings. Which suburb is this store in? If they don't have them anymore I will have to source the plant from somewhere else.
Reply
Yacon (also Sunroot) 01 Jan, Dean (Australia - temperate climate)
I heard Waldecks sells them. Quiet pricey though!
Reply
Showing 5281 - 5310 of 13861 comments
Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.