All recent comments/discussion

Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
Showing 2851 - 2880 of 13854 comments
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 05 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm not sure but I think GMO seed is really only sold to commercial growers. A lot of seed we buy is either heirloom or hybrid (a cross of two or more varieties). Someone can correct me on this but I think organic food is more about how you grow it - no chemical sprays or chemical fertilisers. Just had a look - Eden seeds sell organic seeds - probably cost a lot more though. Phone them if you like.
Reply
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 05 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Dale I don't know any organic seed selling companies. I really only started planting a lot of things by seed the last 2 years. I use to buy a lot of seedlings - lettuce, cabbage, corn, celery, broccoli etc. It was only last year I decided to grow more from seed. It can be very hit or miss trying to germinate small seeds. I built a small green house at the back of my shed and installed a water spray line to germinate some seeds - small seeds are easily displaced by big droplets of water. Germination rates vary so much but a lot has to do with how we manage watering etc as they germinate. I buy most of my seeds from Boondie seeds in Armidale NSW. Email her and see what she can tell you. I like her
Reply
Strawberry Plants 04 Dec, don grant (Australia - temperate climate)
My second crop plants are not flowering at all but they are very healthy looking with lots of leaves. No fruit likely ,any clues ?
Reply
Strawberry Plants 05 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I suppose it depends what variety and kind you planted. I don't know much about that either. But in SE Qld it is important to plant early April. This doesn't give the crown too much time to produce a lot of leaf and then they start flowering. The ones I planted in mid April were still sending out runners until early June. By the sounds of it you may have planted too late and or you have applied too much Nitrogen. A suggestion start preparing your strawberry patch early next year by putting some manure, grass clipping, leaves etc and dig that in and turn it over each 2-3 weeks. Keep it moist so that it break down and decomposes by end of March. This should give you good rich soil without it being overloaded with N. The strawberry season is finished here now.
Reply
Ginger 03 Dec, George (Australia - tropical climate)
I cut the ginger seed rhizome into small pieces about 20-25 g, and planted into the soil in late October. They emerged in late November. The shoots looked weak, and leaves curved. They had experienced very hot weather during the period when they started to emerge. I'd like to know how to manage the heat and irrigate them during the extremely hot weather? I look forward to your advice. With thanks!
Reply
Ginger 04 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sorry I replied about garlic. Read the notes here about growing ginger. Plenty of water but have good draining soil. If you like make a shade cloth cover.
Reply
Ginger 03 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Did you read the notes here? Read the first sentence.
Reply
Ginger 02 Dec, Terry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have tried to grow ginger with very limited success for the past 3 years. Lack of water and TLC were the main reasons for those results. We were given 2 pieces of edible ginger in summer 2017 which I planted in pots .During July of this year 2018 I divided the ginger root into 13 pieces and planted in small pots with potting mix . All 13 pieces have now sprouted some over 30 cm high.I intend to plant all 13 plants into an area of ground which I have prepared with compost and straw from our chook pen .I hope this year wil be successful. Regards Terry
Reply
Ginger 02 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up the internet on how to grow it - you might find some tips.
Reply
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 02 Dec, wayne gardiner (Australia - temperate climate)
edges of bean leaves drying out
Reply
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 02 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like lack of water or hot sun. Temp here today 35-36 - within 2 degrees of record since 1948 for Dec. Not really a good time to be trying to grow things in SE Qld.
Reply
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 04 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hot dry winds can do this also - especially a NW wind - current heat wave conditions north of Gladstone.
Reply
Garlic 02 Dec, Kia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Got some garlic cloves sprouting ready to plant in the garden. Summer here, scorching hot summer this year. Will the garlic be alright growing in the garden? I have shade cloth. Or is indoors better?
Reply
Garlic 02 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It does say plant May to July. You can try it under shade cloth if you like. Because it is not the right time to plant it may not grow very well. Research it on the internet.
Reply
Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 02 Dec, Wayne cronin (Australia - temperate climate)
In the past I have grown sweet corn but the cobs get attacked by an orange beetle with black spots, (pumpkin beetle)? They attack through the silks. How do I deter these beetles before they start please?
Reply
Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 06 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think you may have
Reply
Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 07 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think you have lady bug/bird/beetles. They are good.
Reply
Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 03 Dec, Paula (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Wayne, You could try planting your corn seeds in pots and putting them in a greenhouse or a shade clothed area. That's how I'm growing mine this year. Hope this helps.
Reply
Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 02 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A simple way would be to place a small cover/bag/sock/plastic bag with a few small holes (???) over them to stop the beetle getting in there. You can go on the internet and find fruit bags from China. Cost about 20c each - have to wait for about 2-3 weeks to receive them.
Reply
Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 30 Nov, Jezza boruch (Australia - temperate climate)
I've found that wildfire chilli's in WA is a great and prompt chilli seed seller, great variety and delivered within 5 days
Reply
Garlic 30 Nov, Tsuska (Australia - temperate climate)
What softneck or hardneck variety of garlic is best to grow in Sydney climate?
Reply
Garlic 02 Dec, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Search the internet or call a nursery or seed selling company.
Reply
Garlic 04 Dec, Tsusa (Australia - temperate climate)
The only one I found that was mentioned Italian red (subtropical group). The only bulbs in nurseries I've been able to find so far is Australian white and red for sale. Planted Australian white last season and they don't seem to have done particularly well... maybe I'll try italian red (if i can find some) next season.
Reply
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 27 Nov, G'Day Farm (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have started to get the same problem with our blue lake beans, beautiful and now not so much. My general feeling is not enough even watering. I use tech line and we've had very little rain. When we had the rain they were perfect.
Reply
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 29 Nov, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The techline watering might not give a good enough watering - 3L/h/dripper spaced 300mm. When plants are near/full grown I probably give my plants (about 10 plants) 1 1/2 to 2 minutes at 20 L/ min.
Reply
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 29 Nov, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have had 2 great crops (dwarf) this spring. My third planting is struggling with flowering (they are shaded by tall sweet corn in the afternoon) and my 4th crop is flowering now also. All crops were planted after having grown other crops in the autumn and winter. I gave all crops a good hit up with fertiliser and the plants have grown big and strong. I have mulched around the plants and watered M W F. It is quite hot now (within 1-3 degree of record highs) so they need water. I will rest my ground after these have finished producing. We have had a very dry last 6 weeks.
Reply
Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash) 27 Nov, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Of my 4 zuchini plants brought as seedlings only one has green fruit the other 3 have an abundance of fruit but they are more a pale white colour, are they still okay to eat.
Reply
Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash) 27 Nov, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to website like Boondie seeds and look at the different varieties of zukies. You should be able to eat them. Probably they are a hybrid and they have thrown back to parent in the cross. Do you remember the name of them?
Reply
Potato 24 Nov, Graham Bower (Australia - temperate climate)
I started planting a variety of spuds mid Aug in Melb, normally after frost danger was over. End sept when plants were around 15-20cm high we had severe frosts and plants got badly burned off. Surprisingly, they recovered well only to get hit hard again 3 weeks later, Once again they recovered. I have just started ferretting out a few early spuds and the crop looks like being one of my best ever. Has anyone ever tried reducing leaf growth by removing some of the tops to see the effects on the crop?
Reply
Potato 25 Nov, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Was it an unusual cold Spring with the frosts? Probably reduce leaf growth by cutting back the N. Last year I put up 3 pieces of 3/4 (what's missing Mike?)
Reply
Showing 2851 - 2880 of 13854 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.