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Showing 4141 - 4170 of 13850 comments

Leeks 28 Oct, Jason (Australia - temperate climate): G,day gardeners, I was given a bunch of small leeks about 6 months ago which was mid winter here in South Australia. I didn't know anything about leeks so I just separated them and planted in a small ditch. They are now 2 to 3 feet tall and have shot a tall stem up with a bulb on the top of it. I have tried to find out when to harvest them but can't find any clear instructions on this. My question is, does the appearance of this bulb mean they are turning to seed ? Do I need to pull them now or can I leave them growing ? Any info would be appreciated, thank you.
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Leeks 30 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): "When leeks have gone to seed, they become tough and inedible. Below you will find some tips on stopping the leek flowering or bolting. Why a Leek Plant Flowers and Bolts. When many plants bolt or go to seed, like broccoli or basil, it is due to warm temperatures. With leeks, it’s different. When leeks go to seed, it is normally due to being exposed to optimal temperatures followed by cold temperatures. In other words, a leek flowering is due to cold weather, not warm weather. When a leek flowers, it causes the neck or lower stem of the leek to become woody and tough and the leek will become bitter. While you can technically still eat leeks are gone to seed, you probably won’t like the flavor". Leeks take about 100-120 days to grow - so if you planted in mid winter (July 14th) it is now 3 1/2 mths - 100+ days - suggestion, pull them out if they look nice and tender - if looking woody, you have left it too late.
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Celery 26 Oct, Johnson Yap , Central Phillipunes (Australia - tropical climate): Can Celery survive in tropical area, particulary here in Central Phillipines
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Celery 26 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Celery is more a cool weather crop. If you built a shade house it might work. Say with 30 or 50% shade cloth. Some plants need cool weather to grow but still need sun light also.. Also the weather conditions are important. Like heat waves and very heavy rain down pours. We have had 5" of rain at the start of Oct and then another 12" last week. 17" when the average is 2.5" for Oct. You can only try it to find out.
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Potato 26 Oct, Christine Thyne (Australia - temperate climate): I've in Wheatbelt Wa can I grow potatos in tubs now as summer is so very hot in Merredin
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Potato 26 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Better to grow them into winter. Plant about May. The hot sun during winter sucks a lot of water out of the plants during the day. You would have to water them 2-3 times a day.
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Cucumber 25 Oct, Grace (Australia - temperate climate): If it's white,cabbage moth that are eating your plants you can plant land cress & dill near them & the moths will be more attracted to it & hopefully leave your Kale alone, we tried it & it worked when they were attacking our brocolini :)
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Rhubarb 24 Oct, Adriana Cooper (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Like Karen my stems are green can you still eat them, when do the go red? My plants are very healthy and have very good stems.
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Rhubarb 23 Oct, Karen (Australia - temperate climate): My rhubarb has mostly green stalks. I have had it about 3 yrs and it is probably older. Why? Is it a different variety?
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Rhubarb 24 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): You could have a variety like Victoria or Green Victoria, Check "New Life Seeds" - "Boondie Seeds" - " Seed Collection Company" on the net - will show you the different varieties. "Rhubarb Crimson" seems to be more redder.
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Carrot 21 Oct, Gary (Australia - temperate climate): What fertilise would you use when growing carrots
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Carrot 23 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): A fertiliser low in N. A lot of N produces a lot of leaf growth.Or you could grow a leaf vegetable and then follow with the carrots.
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Carrot 24 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): By low I mean probably 8-10% N - not something like 14-20% N.
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Broccoli 21 Oct, marie (Australia - temperate climate): I'm new at gardening in Sydney Australia.(I'm originally from Canada) Am I in the temperate zone? when is it best to grow cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts. our broccoli heads are separating. the cauliflower is yellow and completely separated. And no sign of sprouts growing as of yet
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Broccoli 23 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Broc and cauli plant seeds April May and transplant seedlings May June. Not cold enough for Brussel Sprouts in Sydney Read the notes here for all 3 crops..
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Broccoli 23 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): You are in sub tropical by the climate zone here. If you live in a coldish part of Sydney you would be temperate. The best is probably to have the crop mature by July August.
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Asparagus 19 Oct, Samantha (Australia - temperate climate): We have just moved to a little old (ish) cottage in Maldon Victoria and to my delight have just discovered asparagus growing in the back yard. It is not in a "garden bed" as such, but obiously once was. Grass has grown as lawn all around it and spears are popping up left right and centre. How do I encourage and look after it at this late stage (mid October)?
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Asparagus 19 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Lucky you!!! To an area about 1 & 1/2-2' around all the plants and between the plants give it a good watering. Next day pull all the weeds out. If you can, buy some horse or cow manure or compost and place about 3" thick over the top of it all. If the weeds are a real problem over the summer I would suggest during next winter when the asparagus ferns all die down, transplant the crowns into a nice prepared garden bed - then about August Sept each year put a 4-6" layer of aged manure or compost on them.
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Lettuce 15 Oct, Garvin Johny (USA - Zone 11b climate): I'm growing COS lettuce in the Caribbean where it hot and humid most of the year but according to Gardenate lettuce is not suitable for my climate.
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Lettuce 15 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): "The Caribbean's littlest islands follow a typically Caribbean weather pattern, with December to April the peak months (drier, cooler, less humid) – and September to October the most prolific for hurricanes, with rains starting in June". Dec to April might be the time to grow things - drier cooler less humid.
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Lettuce 15 Oct, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): Gardenate is a 'guide' not hard and fast rules. Your microclimate obviously suits cos lettuce. By the way, we have not included inforamtion for the Caribbean because we do not have enough information about the climate.
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Pumpkin 15 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I was starting to cut up some pumpkin the other day for scones. Hard skin pumpkin to cut. Then I thought - give the pumpkin skin a good wash, cut the pumpkin up and cook it - then peel the skin off - a lot easier.
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Rhubarb 15 Oct, Lexi (Australia - temperate climate): I live in Glasshouse, Qld. I have one rhubard planted in a tyre. It was quite small when I bought it about three months ago. It is now absolutely flourishing with stalks over a foot long. My question is this... If I can't eat the stalks for the first year what do I do, prune and discard or just leave it alone?
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Rhubarb 15 Oct, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Maybe pick some - say half. My mother grew it when I was young. Last year I picked asparagus for 6 weeks and I feel I could have picked it for 3 mths.
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Horseradish 15 Oct, Roy (Australia - temperate climate): If you still want a cutting jut give me your address and you can have a piece of root Roy
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Horseradish 02 Jul, Chris (Australia - temperate climate): Hello. I live in NSW and would love to get some horseradish root. Large quantities are needed.
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Horseradish 19 Mar, Tina Sutherland (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi Roy, If still available, I’d love a root cutting of your horse radish. I’m more than happy to pay for postage. Thank you so much in advance Tina
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Horseradish 04 Apr, Frank Chalupa (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi Tina, I live in Logan Central and I have heaps of horseradish roots. Let me know where to send them and I'll send you some. Best Regards Frank
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Horseradish 22 May, David (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi Frank, id love ti get my hands.on some also if your feelinh extra generous :)
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Horseradish 22 May, Geoff (Australia - temperate climate): Hi Frank. I would very much appreciate a piece of your horseradish please. How can we arrange this. ,Geoff.
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