Your comments and tips

02 May 17, Sean (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

The long South Australian summers and drier climate should be ideal for growing most vegetables with a much lower risk of fungal problems than more humid or coastal areas. Log onto this site or buy the Gardenate app for more information.

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01 May 17, Jack Zampella (USA - Zone 6b climate)

I am hoping that you will be able to answer this question for me. I have raised beds that I vegetable garden in. Everything I have read over the past 10 years says that 2 inches of compost should be added to the beds yearly which I have done. I fertilize with organic fertilizers. My question is I no longer have room for additional compost in the beds. Should I remove some of the "great" soil from the beds to add additional compost or wait until the compost decomposes to add more( this usually takes about 2 years) Thank you in advance for your help. Jack Zampella

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02 May 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

If you have been adding 2" of compost every year for a number of years I would think your soil is quite fertile. You could, as you suggest, take some off. I would not add any this year, instead I would give the garden bed a dressing of garden or agricultural lime. The continual adding of compost to the soil is great for building up the soil but if there is a lot of organic matter still breaking down you would be safe to leave it for a season. The addition of lime will reduce the acidity and allow the release of a lot of nutrients currently there. Organic matter over time, while enriching the soil, will increase the acidity (lower the pH) and make nutrients less available. Lime reverses this. All the best.

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08 May 17, Jack Zampella (USA - Zone 6b climate)

John (Australia) thanks for your response. That was going to be my course of action. You just confirmed it. Again thank you for your input.

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19 Apr 17, Jim (Australia - temperate climate)

Some self-seeded cherry tomatoes came up at end of summer in a small bed on south side of fence. It's obviously not ideal location and most of the fruit are still green. Is it worth moving it to a sunny spot or just rip it out since it's autumn now?

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27 May 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Just let them keep growing and see what happens.

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21 Apr 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)

Plants are not likely to transplant this late in the season. I suggest you make some Green Tomato Pickles with them and start early next season.

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15 Apr 17, gill (Australia - temperate climate)

Where can I purchase reisetomate seeds please? Will they grow in Canberra?

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15 Apr 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Tomato 'Reisetomate' should grow in Canberra. Get your seeds started indoors ready for planting out in late october and you should be able to grow a good crop of this unusual tomato.

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15 Apr 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)

'Reistomate' seed is available from Diggers Seeds on the Mornington Peninsula South-east of melbourne

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