All recent comments/discussion

Pak Choy 12 Mar, houston (USA - Zone 7a climate)

please explain thinning and what happens if its not done

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Daikon (also Japanese radish, Lo Bok) 11 Mar, Karen Lovadina (USA - Zone 5b climate)

I live in St. Louis , MO. and I planted Daikon directly seeded last October, 2011. I think it was a winter variety but, I'm not sure. Anyway, it lasted all through the winter, which was mild, and now the leasves are about 5 - 6 inches long and the plants are extremely close together. Should I thin them out or will they push each other out? The daikon is only a sliver, literally only as thick as a quarter of a pencil. Thanks for any info you can give me. Karen

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Collards (also Collard greens, Borekale) 01 Mar, Debra (USA - Zone 8a climate)

My collards are starting to grow what looks like seed pods at the top of the plant. How do I harvest the seeds?

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Collards (also Collard greens, Borekale) 04 Mar, Larry Smith (USA - Zone 8b climate)

I think they are bolting (going to seed). All the energy is going into stalk and producing seeds. I think they are done when this happens.

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Broccoli 09 Feb, Lee-Ann Connolly (USA - Zone 8a climate)

Hello When you say PLANT in garden is that the seed to plant in the garden where they going to grow or seedlings ? Many Thanks Lee-Ann

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Broccoli 10 Feb, Stephanie (Australia - arid climate)

Thanks I was wondering the same thing. Also if it says plant in garden, but you cant yet because you are waiting for, say, your tomatos to finish, should you plant in seed trays instead?

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Broccoli 11 Feb, peter (Australia - temperate climate)

if you look at the planting 'timetable' it indicates sowing seed in Feb and PLANTING out seedlings 4-6 weeks later. So, yes I'd be getting seeds into trays now ready to plant out when your tommys finish =)

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Peas 05 Feb, PAUL (USA - Zone 5a climate)

Can snap peas be started in fiber pots indooors now FEB., then moved outdoors in March?

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Yacon (also Sunroot) 05 Jan, Jackie C (USA - Zone 8b climate)

Do you have info. about who sells plant or fruit to grow?.. (So. Florida)

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Yacon (also Sunroot) 28 Apr, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Nichols Garden Nursery in Albany, OR has Yacon. They sell via the web.

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Sweet Potato/Kumara 02 Jan, Lisa Baird (USA - Zone 6a climate)

I also long for NZ Kumara, and have been unable to find them in the states. Where can I order tubers for growing or for eating? I'll start a greenhouse if needed. Thank you.

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Choko/Chayote (also Chayote squash, christophene, chouchou, mirliton) 19 Dec, TRUDY (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Can anyone give me a recipe for choko pie as a desert. I have chokos growing madly on my vine and i am trying to think of different way to cook these great veges. Thanks Trudy

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Choko/Chayote (also Chayote squash, christophene, chouchou, mirliton) 29 Mar, Catherine (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Trudy, Yes the much maligned Choko. I love the look of the plant, it's lush, no effort gardening AND you get fruit. I have it growing over up to the top storey of a inner city terrace. It screens the street off and makes for a very Mediterranean like view from my window. The only maintenance is the occasional clip to stop it 'decorating' the neighbours terrace as well. I have the same abundance of crop - try this one: Choko Chocolate Cake. Doesn't use many chokos but you can shock your guests after all the ohh and ahhing but revealing what the secret ingredient is. The choko gives it a fibre texture a bit like banana bread it makes for a very yummy cake. I can't post the website here but in the recipes section of the website 'Successful Gardening with Annette McFarlane', is the Chocolate Cake recipe along with others for Chokos. They also have other unusual fruit too - I can also recommend the LillyPilly Jam! Have fun. :) Cat

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Choko/Chayote (also Chayote squash, christophene, chouchou, mirliton) 21 Apr, Sandra (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Catherine, thanks for the tip re the choko chocolate cake. I have had a look at it and noticed sugar is mentioned twice ie 1 1/2 cups and then later 1 cup. Is this a miss print? it just seems like a lot of sugar for 125g of butter. cheers, Sandra

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Sweet Potato/Kumara 18 Nov, graham (USA - Zone 5a climate)

I would like to try to grow kumara potatoes in our green house as you say they need a long growing season. Can you advise me where I can buy tubers/seeds? Many thanks Graham

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Garlic 06 Nov, Marlene Allen (USA - Zone 8b climate)

I am trying to find a garlic farm that could supply a larage grocery store. I went to my Krogers store in WIllis , Texas and their garlic was from China. Thank you for your service

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Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean) 27 Oct, indra prasad (USA - Zone 8a climate)

where in sacramento can I find Asparagus pea ?

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Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean) 04 Jul, Bim (USA - Zone 10a climate)

Am in SF. Bought my seeds at kitazawaseed.com. They are in Oakland CA.

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Globe artichokes 22 Oct, Joe Agostinacchio (USA - Zone 5a climate)

I planted artichokes for the first time this summer. I live on Long Island, N.Y., how do I protect the plants from the coming winter? Do I trim back the leaves that are there now, or let them stay?

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Tomato 15 Oct, jeffrey (USA - Zone 5a climate)

found a great calendar all about tomato it is from the butte county Master Gardener program they have a great calendar out all about tomato i picked one up last week at an event you should check it out

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Asparagus 09 Oct, Ali Mofazali (USA - Zone 8b climate)

What is the best way to grow asparagus in Georgia USA?

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Garlic 02 Oct, elise de Villiers (USA - Zone 5a climate)

Hello! We are in the Toronto, Canada area. We have some lovely garlic seeds - when do we plant these? And by which moon would it be ideal? Many thanks

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Rocket (also Arugula/Rucola) 11 Sep, kim (USA - Zone 5a climate)

In late August I planted second crops of my early spring crops - rocket, lettuce, chard, kale. Worthy experiment? Any others I should have tried?

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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 21 Aug, Gayle Bryan (USA - Zone 8b climate)

I see that you recommend planting eggplant in the spring. Before I found this website, I was using UF's recommendations which supported planting eggplant in the fall. Will eggplant planted in the fall produce much fruit?

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Garlic 04 Aug, (USA - Zone 5a climate)

what type of slow release organic furtlizer works best for garlic

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Climbing beans (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 02 Jul, Jo Foster (USA - Zone 5a climate)

Runner beans are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from other climbing beans, pole beans etc, I have recently moved from London to New York, where I have yet to meet anyone who knows what I'm talking about. Does anyone grow or sell them? Perhaps they are incredibly difficult. I understand they don't like heat. As far as i can see there are no slugs and snails here, since there are no holes in hostas. Perhaps I could even grow a lupin!!!

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Cucumber 14 Jun, Leslie Alderette (USA - Zone 10a climate)

Just wanted to find out why you should avoid planting cucumbers next to tomatoes.. I did just that before reading this. My plants are small so is it possible to move them? I just dont want to disturb their new area. Any feedback on this? Thanks so much. your website it terrific!

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Cucumber 19 Jun, Michael Ouellette (Australia - arid climate)

My cukes were planted about a foot ( 30 cm ) away from my tomatoe plants this year.and my crop from both was unreal. The tomato plants acted as a trellis for the cukes. I could not keep up with the supply....

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Summer savory (also 'Bean Herb') 17 May, Sharron (USA - Zone 8b climate)

Where do I find seed for savory?

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Summer savory (also 'Bean Herb') 07 Jun, (USA - Zone 7a climate)

Lots of places have savory seed for sale online. 2bseeds.com and swallowtailgardenseeds.com have it.

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