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Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 24 Aug, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): The species is a perennial, often cultivated as an annual in temperate climates, and often grows to around 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall. It is related to such species as cotton, cocoa, and hibiscus. Google it if you need more info.
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Taro (also Dasheen, cocoyam) 23 Aug, Anaheke (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I’d like to grow the Taro Nuie and Alafua sunrise. I live on North Stradbroke Island - Minjeeribah and wondered if you knew where I could buy this variety for planting and eating. Thankyou
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Taro (also Dasheen, cocoyam) 24 Aug, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Google where to buy it.
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Strawberry Plants 23 Aug, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Continued about planting strawbs in sub tropical climate. Buy new stock and plant April/May. You can either plant runners from these next year and do that in future years, After about 6 years start with new stock again. Or leave the new plants in for two crops. Then plant new runners from these plants and do the same again. After doing this 3 times (six years) start with new stock again. Between the first and second crop with the same plants trim off all new runners. I will be putting my strawbs on weed mat next year. Also if you can put an irrigation system in the soil or under the mulch. If watering overhead do it in the morning (so the leaves and fruit dry out quickly) rather than late arvo.
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Strawberry Plants 02 Sep, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Mike, thankyou for all your valued advice. I'm up for the challenge. Appreciated!!
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Marrow 22 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Just looking at the graph depicting the brst times to grow marrow. Looks like I sow'd and planted early. *Why is it important to sow and plant at the right time? Thankyou in advance.
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Marrow 23 Aug, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): FROM the bottom of the page. -"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." To sow around the best time is to give yourself the best chance to produce a good crop. Like you wouldn't plant something in summer if it says to plant in winter.
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Marrow 31 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Mike, thanks for the reminder. I have read and occasionally reread the above.Invaluable. One of my marrow fruit turned yellow (had something at the flower end that looked like blossom-end rot that tomatoes can get) and came off while some of my leaves (Melbourne cream, Winter Squash Blue Hubbard) have small white spotty blotches on them . I cut them off and disposed of them in sealed zip bags but it's disappointing. Can I treat them? Thnx in advance.
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Marrow 22 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Anna,sadly I didn't get an answer from you. Never mind. I hope you sorted your marrow 'trellis'. I planted half a dozen out and notice there is fruit forming. Exciting for me as I haven't seen or eaten the old marrow since childhood. They are spreading out and starting to climb up the fence. Similarly, zucchini. Jane
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Corn Salad (also Lamb's lettuce or Mache) 22 Aug, Pamela Dawson (New Zealand - temperate climate): Are seeds for corn salad plants readily available in nurseries - first I have heard of it from a friend and would like to try growing some. If available what is it known as on the seed packet.
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Corn Salad (also Lamb's lettuce or Mache) 22 Aug, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate): Pam, you can buy corn salad seeds from online suppliers, like Egmont Seeds.
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French tarragon 21 Aug, Jennifer Fitzsimmons (Australia - temperate climate): Where can I buy a French Perennial Tarragon I live on the Mornington Penninsular Victoria
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French tarragon 29 Aug, Marcelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate): It is available from The Diggers Club and at the Heronswood garden shop in Dromana. Call ahead to make sure it is in stock.
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Tomato 19 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hello. On Saturday I had a nice round red tomato. I thought, 'I'll pick that tomorrow,' and promptly forgot about it. Last night (Sunday) I was out late after dark checking my vege gardens. I remembered the tomato and lo and behold, you guessed it - Gone! Who or what could have relieve me of my tomato? The garden in question is fully fenced. About 4' high or so. Thank you in advance, Jane :(
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Tomato 25 Aug, Jason (Australia - temperate climate): Could be birds. Do you get bower birds in your area? They are very clever and will even eat chillies. We had an area fenced all around with stiff plastic mesh and fine bird netting on top, but something was still getting in and eating our chillies. I caught a bower bird in the act, it had managed to get through a small hole half way up the bird netting, and I watched it fly up and easily scramble out the hole again. I couldn't believe it. Apparently birds don't feel the chillie heat like humans do. It could also be possums, ring tails are expecially naughty and almost silent. They eat the rinds entirely off our lemons and for years we couldn't figure out what was leaving "nude" lemons hanging in our tree, until we caught a pair of them eating fruit in our grapefruit tree, and the tiny bite marks were the same. For the lemons and grapefruit we can't do much except pick them all as soon as they seem ready enough. For veggies we usually have to build fort knox around them with fine veggie netting, which seems to keep *most* birds, possums, moths/grubs and snails out.
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Tomato 20 Aug, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Sounds like someone took it. Should have picked it Sat - they will ripen up inside once they start showing some colour.
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Tomato 31 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Mike, yes. That's what I thought... I took yr advice and pick them as soon as I see them start to ripen now. (Can they be picked green to ripen indoors?)
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Tomato 14 Sep, Mike (Australia - temperate climate): They need to start to change colour before picking. Best to leave on as long as possible if you can.
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Basil 19 Aug, Joe (Australia - temperate climate): I have cleared my entire garden and am planning starting veggies and herbs. My garden has areas that are full sun, partial sun, and full shade. I live in Perth, WA, temperate climate. Can anyone help me in finding out which veggies like to be planted in full sun , partial sun, and shady parts of my garden ? Thanks Joe
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Basil 25 Aug, Peta (Australia - temperate climate): Just remember that "Perth sun" is stronger than normal sun. so most plants that are "full sun" need partial shade in our summers. Now is definitely tomato and basil season. I would figure out what you like to eat first and put those in as a priority and work around them. Ask your local garden centre including your local hardware garden centre :)
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Basil 27 Aug, Mike (Australia - temperate climate): I would dispute that the Perth sun is stronger than normal sun. 35 or 40 degrees is the same everywhere. It is the humidity or dryness that is the difference. A humid 35 degrees in SE Qld is just as prickly as a 40+ dry Easterly in Perth. I have lived in both and I know which I would prefer - WA.
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Basil 20 Aug, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Look up the internet for how much sunlight vegies need. You can find a table that shows this. Some need 4 some 6 some 8 hours. Most plants need quite a lot of sunlight - otherwise you end up with small weak plants.
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Watermelon 18 Aug, Tammy (USA - Zone 10a climate): What are the best garden layouts for melons tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers? Not sure what can grow next to what best
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Peas 18 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Re: lower stalk and leaves of climbing Alderman peas. The lower leaves are going yellow and look as if they are dying and the very bottom of the stalks on two look dried up compared to a couple of smaller plants that still look a softer fleshy green. Are they dying or thirsty or lacking something or other or is this a normal process for the pea plant? Thanx.
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Peas 13 Jul, Anne (Australia - temperate climate): I would look at the ph level (acidity /alkalinity) of the soil. Peas like soil on the alkaline side which is why they say to put some lime in the soil before planting. A little ph test kit is a good investment and can save you a lot of disappointment and money from plants dropping dead because the soil is wrong for them. Garden veg also need good drainage. If soil is a bit boggy, hill it up and plant in the higher part.
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Rhubarb 18 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): A year!? Pick them in a year's time? I'll be starving...:(
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Strawberry Plants 18 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Love this article on strawberries. Thanks for it.
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Strawberry Plants 20 Aug, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Also when planting new runner plants - trim most of the leaves off - but leave a couple of the newer small leaves in the middle. And most important - where the leaves come out of the plant, is the crown of the plant, When planting DO NOT cover the crown with soil - have it sticking out of the soil a bit.
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Strawberry Plants 31 Aug, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Mike thanks for yr strawberry posts. Appreciated. Will do.
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Strawberry Plants 20 Aug, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): A run down on growing strawberries in sub tropical areas. You should start with fresh stock from nursery or online etc. Plant them early to mid April - some shops will sell plants anytime of the year.
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