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Showing 4681 - 4710 of 13850 comments
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 21 May, Lynne Corkin (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi I am revamping my scarlet runner frame this year. I also have a fig tree which I would like to espalier on the same frame. Would they survive together?
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Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 22 May, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
The competition for water and nutrients between a fig tree and scarlet runner beans would be very strong, the fig being the likely winner as it would have the stronger root system. If you could keep up the nutrients and water it might work.
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Asparagus Pea (also Winged pea) 20 May, Sharon Marie Fernandez (Australia - temperate climate)
My Asian variety winged bean bears white flowers, and it is the first time in 3 years that it has borne fruit. Are asparagus pea and Asian winged bean the same?
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Asparagus Pea (also Winged pea) 22 May, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes they are both the same.
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Asparagus Pea (also Winged pea) 29 Oct, PhilM (Australia - temperate climate)
No they are quite different. The ones with the dual crimson flowers grow like ground cover, pods only get to 3-5 cm and are far more suited to a temperate climate. The white flowered Asian type are more like climbers, pods get far bigger up to 15 cm, need a hot tropical climate to thrive in and all parts of the plant can be eaten, pods, leaves, roots. Besides size, the pods look identical.
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 20 May, Linda (Australia - temperate climate)
I have an eggplant still producing fruit but they aren't turning purple are they ok to eat
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 22 May, Sean (Australia - temperate climate)
Egg plant, tomatoes, potatoes and capsicums are in the same family as deadly nightshade and produce an alkaloid called Solanine which can be toxic. An average adult would need to consume 400 mg of Solanine for it to be life threatening and an average eggplant would contain around 11 mg so you would have to eat over 35 egg plants to get to that level. Maybe you have a passion for them! Trust this helps.
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Cabbage 20 May, Sandra Sidietigerqueen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When would be the right time to grow cabbges. In rockhampton QLD.
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Cabbage 22 May, Giovanni (Australia - temperate climate)
June, July and August would be good months to plant cabbage seedlings in your area.
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 20 May, Mary Qoriniyasi (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What do I do to eggplant plant when season is over
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 22 May, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Egg plant is a short-lived perennial and will grow on into the next season. For strong, healthy plants with a good yield you would be better to treat them like an annual and plant them in a different spot next season.
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 20 May, Penny (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Yacon growing in the southern suburbs of Perth if you would like some.
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 13 Jul, kathie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi , just saw your post. I bought a mangy one from waldecks at a hideous price so as to be sure of product. It lost its leave( they said that was ok) and now when I checked the root has no tuber and looks as if its been dead for a while . really want to grow this plant and was wondering if you still have some ? I also live in the southern suburbs of Perth. Kathie
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 19 May, Clive Halliday (Australia - tropical climate)
We have 5 eggplants in large tubs. They are flourishing wit many flowers. But the young fruit are being eaten through the skin and scooping out the flesh. What is causing this? Nothing unusual found on plants. This did not happen last two years.
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 24 May, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Only guessing - birds or some grub. You could put some plastic bags on them - put a few holes in the bag to let some air in there. Or spray with some grub killer and see if this stops them.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 17 May, Lynny (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicum bush is loaded but the fruit is very bitter. How can I sweeten them up?
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 17 May, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
Adding Epsom Salts at the rate of 1 tbs - 2 litres of water will improve the flavour and sweetness of tomatoes so you could give that a try. They are both in the Solanacea family. All the best.
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Parsnip 17 May, Aaron (Australia - arid climate)
I am in Perth Western Australia and wants try to harvest my parsnip in between July & September can you advice on planting date. Thank you ! Regards
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Parsnip 17 May, Giovanni (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Parsnips take about 5 months to harvest from sowing and are normally planted between June and September in the Perth climate zone. This leaves a gap as seed sown in late September would be ready in late March not July - September as you were hoping. They would normally only keep for 3 - 4 weeks in the refrigerator so you still have a 'gap'. Why not plant some seed in March and give them a try? When the seedlings emerge keep them moist and apply a thick mulch to keep the soil a bit cooler. It's worth a try and you'll know for sure then. Maybe someone else has tried it and can answer.
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Potato 17 May, Suzanne (Australia - temperate climate)
The information you have here is helpful, but what i need to know is the average growing time to harvest please. The plants are flowering and I'm wondering if that is an indication? We live on the Sunshine Coast and the potato's were planted in October, 7 months ago.
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Potato 18 May, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
In Qld we plant potatoes in Autumn and Spring. St Patrick's Day is the general start time March 17th for Autumn. Spring is probably Sept. They take 12-20 weeks to grow - probably the warmer the climate the quicker. You can pick potatoes any time but to have mature spuds to store for awhile you wait until they flower and then start to die off. Have a little feel around to see how big they are.
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Potato 19 May, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was talking to a friend today who planted certified potatoes about 8 weeks ago (the last of the hot summer weather) in sandy soil. The last ones to shoot out of the soil had stunted curled up leaves - like the leaves had not unfolded and grown bigger. He took them to a commercial grower to find out why. This fellow said it happened because the soil was too hot. Being sandy loam it probably retained the heat more in the soil. Out of about 35 potatoes about 8 had this problem. The commercial grower has only just planted his crop - Bundaberg Qld. He waits until the potatoes eyes start to shoot and then plants. Hope that helps.
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Potato 17 May, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Potatoes can take 14 - 20 weeks, when the tops die down to be ready for long-storage harvest. 'New' potatoes can be harvested about 4 weeks after flowering. These potatoes should be 'raided' without disturbing the plant too much so that others can mature.
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Rhubarb 17 May, +david richardson (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I have a single small plant which is producing multiple stems but they are very thin and as a result not really usable. the plant is on a balcony which gets sun in the morning, this is melbourne! is there something I can do to create more growth of usable stems? many thanks
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Rhubarb 17 May, Jack (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rhubarb responds to heavy doses of old manure, blood & bone, etc. It also likes plenty of water which is often a challenge for plants grown in tubs. Your aspect is fine and living in Melbourne is not a handicap! Using good potting mix, not cheap stuff, is a must when growing plants in tubs as they need to get everything out of the amount of soil that is in the tub. If it is not practical to re pot it just make a few holes down beside the roots with a stick and pour some blood & bone down the hole before closing it over. Keep the rhubarb mulched and moist and bury all of your kitchen scraps under the mulch. This will rot down and provide extra nutrients.
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 16 May, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
Has any one grown yacon in hothouse to save from frost l live in melb
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Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 16 May, Chris Jacobson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I started growing from seed then it severely eaten by ? what do I do
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Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 17 May, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
If it is a chewing pest such as caterpillars you could spray with Natures Way Caterpillar Killer. This is an organic, natural spray that is harmless to birds, animals, us, etc and is effective against caterpillars. If they are only small plants it could be cutworms that live just below the soil surface.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 15 May, maurie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
do I need to stake a capsicum plant whilst it is growing?
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 15 May, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Maurie, capsicums grow fine without staking, however I found that once they start to bear fruit, they lean down to the ground. Staking might help keep your capsicums off the ground.
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Showing 4681 - 4710 of 13850 comments
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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.
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