All recent comments/discussion

Showing 31 - 60 of 19911 comments

Sunflower 24 Oct, Celeste Arcjer (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate): One last thought -- and whether this is a good idea or not will depend on the "tastes" in your area. (using info from the net): The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is closely related to sunflowers. Specialty producers treat Jerusalem artichokes as a very versatile, gourmet root vegetable under multiple names such as Sunchoke (created and trademarked by Frieda Caplan) and lambchoke, as well as sunroot, wild sunflower, earth apple, earth pear, and topinambour (in France and Germany). They have also been called French potatoes, German turnips, and Canadian artichokes or truffles. They can be sliced and eaten raw (after washing the edible skin) and are variously described as sweet, savory, nutty, and crunchy, similar to water chestnuts, jicama, or milder radishes. They are often boiled, roasted, or mashed, with a flavor very similar to potatoes or artichoke hearts. They can also be fermented or pickled, and ground into flour. Jerusalem artichokes look similar to ginger root or turmeric and potatoes. They can be short or long and brown, white, red, purple, or grey in skin color. Wild tubers are often red and plants are spread across fields; when cultivated, they appear white and clustered together. Tubers are oblong, with lumps or knobs. The inside is white until exposed to air when the flesh will begin to darken. More than 200 varieties of Jerusalem artichokes exist including Clearwater, Columbia, Mammoth, Oregon, Red Fuseau, Stampede, and White Fuseau. Jerusalem artichokes are a hardy perennial able to grow well in most soils. Ideally, the ground is loamy, loosely packed, and with a slightly alkaline pH value of around 7. Temperatures between 65 to 80°F (16c - 26 c) are preferred for optimal growth, along with 125 or more frost-free days. More sunlight is needed for the initial growing stages, then less is preferable as the tubers form. Precipitation will aid in growth, especially during sprouting, but too much moisture will waterlog plants. In commercial production, Jerusalem artichokes are raised annually, despite their perennial nature. Growth takes 7 months on average, seeds are often planted in early spring for best yields. ...................... certainly worth thinking about. Sunflowers for oil production probably have more "certainty" when it comes to demand. Sun chokes may not have the demand (initially - or maybe ever) in your area to support a farm dedicated to Sun chokes and Sun Chokes are know for their "delicate" skin which may make shipping tricky (avoiding spoilage)..
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Sunflower 24 Oct, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 6b Temperate Warm Summer climate): I found this publication, which might be a good starting point for you: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02571862.2024.2352174#d1e710 ----- the Abstract starts ---------- Abstract Suitable planting dates and hybrid selection are crucial in optimizing yield, component traits and oil production in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). In South Africa, there is limited information on the effects of planting dates on currently available sunflower hybrids in the marketplace.....
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Sunflower 22 Oct, Liz (Gardenate) (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): You would probably have more help from a local agricultural advisor. Gardenate is intended for home gardeners, not farmers.
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 20 Oct, K-M Bourke (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I never have much success growing from seed but I really want to level up my gardening. How much sun do I allow my seedling trays to get. In a sub-tropical climate the sun can be very intense on hot days and can dry them out very quickly. Should I use a greenhouse or is that too shady? How often should you water them? I assume the trays should be moist the whole time while they are germinating? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 28 Oct, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Soak the seeds over night in a bowl/glass of water. Plant them into a fine potting mix soil. Give them a watering.. Don't water for 2-3 days. Keep in the shade or only a little sun each day. If soil drying out use a spray bottle to moisten the top of the soil. Or do similarly into the garden. Put some shade over them. Don't over water - they will rot. I have had trouble myself the last few years. Or just buy punnet from Bunnings/? - a lot simpler and easier.
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 16 Nov, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Continued - I bought some from Bunnings - tasted horrible.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 19 Oct, Sao Witi (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Spacing of capsicum right centimeter
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 16 Nov, (Canada - Zone 7a Mild Temperate climate): Check the notes here - it tells you.
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Cabbage 18 Oct, Ntando (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): What type of cabbage I can plant in November I am planting in the north coast at Kwa Zulu Natal
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Cabbage 15 Nov, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): Hi. It is not advisable to grow brassicas in summer as they are cool weather plants. That said, there are certain varieties that have been developed to withstand hotter weather. So, when buying seed, look for those.
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Asparagus 18 Oct, Pam (Australia - sub-tropical climate): How many seasons can I get from my asparagus plant
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Asparagus 28 Oct, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): 20-30 years - plant 4-8 crowns
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Kale (also Borecole) 17 Oct, Meg : Wimmera Victoria. (Australia - temperate climate): In the last 6 months my Kale in particular, but all my brassicas to some degree have been inundated with Cabbage Aphids. Has anyone else had this problem and what can I do to get rid of it? Help please.
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Watermelon 14 Oct, Moses (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Please need your advice to one of my favorite crob.Watermellon. when exactly can I plant this crop.and what seeds please I been trying to put seeds of watermelon but nothing come even the small plant.to show the plant is coming up and growing in south Africa is October please help me.Thanks Moses.
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Watermelon 31 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Plant Sept to Nov - plenty of water after they start growing.
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 13 Oct, Eugene (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate): What’s the best sweet corn to grow in zone 3a
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 28 Oct, (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate): Try a few and then grow the variety you prefer.
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Rocket (also Arugula/Rucola) 08 Oct, Petrus (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): Should one nip flowers off to promote leave growth.
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 08 Oct, Robert (Australia - tropical climate): My plants are thriving, approximately 1mtr tall. Big green bushy leaves. About how long till flowers appear & then fruit. Excitedly yours, Rob
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 28 Oct, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Should be soon but don't over fertilise them.
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Luffa (also Loofah, plant sponge) 02 Oct, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): Try Kings seeds and plant Barn
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NZ Spinach (also Warrigal greens) 02 Oct, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate): Will New Zealand spinach grow in partial shade in a zone 10, dry climate?
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Borage (also Burrage, Bugloss) 01 Oct, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): How do I actually harvest borage? Is it in the stems or leaves? I understand flowers but never knew you coukd actually eat it!
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Borage (also Burrage, Bugloss) 04 Oct, Chris (Australia - temperate climate): Some people eat the young leaves. I think they're reasonably safe in small quantities. I grow it for the flowers and let chickens enjoy the leaves.
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Cucumber 29 Sep, (USA - Zone 7a climate): Can I sow seeds of the Marketmore Cucks Oct lst in U.S. 7.2? INDOORS and grow inside with a lot of sun coming through the windows? Karen/Clarkston WA 99403
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Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 29 Sep, Hannelie Wall (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): I want to plant .5ha with Jalepeno from seed and need some advice pls.
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Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 31 Oct, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Talk to an agricultural department person.
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Chives (also Garden chives) 25 Sep, Nicholl (Canada - Zone 4b Temperate Warm Summer climate): Will chives come back the next year if planted in a raised garden bed?
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Taro (also Dasheen, cocoyam) 25 Sep, Grace (USA - Zone 6b climate): Is there a possibility to create an enclosed greenhouse environment to grow taro in 6b zone? If so would I need to adjust growing time?
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 24 Sep, margaret (Australia - temperate climate): My eggplant appears to be growing well, producing flowers. The eggplant forms but turns green. How can I fix this please.
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