All recent comments/discussion

Showing 4921 - 4950 of 13854 comments

Artichokes (Globe) 27 Mar, Erica Nielson (Australia - temperate climate): Since globe artichokes don't like the cold, should I wait until after winter to divide the suckers? I use living mulch and hay to protect them from the cold I'm in Esperance, which has a fairly mild climate, but every summer we get the odd day 47degrees that simply knocks all the leaves off, probably because it's near a shed wall. Is there anything else I can do to protect it from the random heat waves? I suppose I could shift it so it doesn't get radiant heat. I appreciate any input. Thank you Erica
Reply
Artichokes (Globe) 30 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): You could divide and replant the suckers in winter. Give them a good 'blanket' of straw or old sacking to protect them if you get frosts. If the shed wall is metal try hanging hessian sacks behind your plants. Alternatively use brush panels. The radiated heat off a metal wall cladding is intense even on a medium day.
Reply
Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold) 26 Mar, may (Australia - temperate climate): my silverbeet has been thriving but now new leaves are coming up small and very dark leaves (NOT SPOTTED)
Reply
Dill 26 Mar, hugh avey (Australia - sub-tropical climate): my dill plants, from seeds or transplanted seedlings, grow well briefly, then wilt and die - suggestions please
Reply
Dill 27 Mar, Jo (Australia - temperate climate): It sounds a bit like too much water when you mention that the plants grow well for a while then wilt and die. Dill likes good soil and manure but does not like to be wet. Wilting and then dying is often an indicator of too much water. This may not be the reason but I would try planting it in a raised mound and see if that helps.
Reply
Dill 17 Jun, Kane (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Jo, can Dill be grown in pots? Also, with any plants, Dill included, how do I water an entire vege patch/garden at once if some plants like water and othets don't like do much water? Thanks
Reply
Dill 17 Jun, Celeste (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate): I sent a reply; and then thought about the complexity.... and as usual, I went over board. So here is my best advice for a complete beginner gardeners. If you have the space, a good garden to start with is a Mediterranean Herb garden (I say if you have the space because if you plant one of these in a small space, you might not have room to plant anything else - and perhaps other plants or vegetables would serve you better). Ok, so what is a Mediterranean herb garden. It is a garden comprised of herbs that don't need much water, can tolerate poorer soils and like sun and heat . When picking a location for this herb garden think about a few things: 1. it should be in the sun ( at least 6 hrs of sun per day) and 2. It does not have to be close to the water source. Generally you locate plants that require lots of water close to your tap, or within easy reach of your hose; because you will be watering them frequently. On the other hand, plants that don't require frequent watering can be located in "less prime" watering locations; since you don't have to water them frequently. Convenience is key here; put plants that like water in a spot that is easy to water, and plants that require less water further away in those difficult to get to zones. The Mediterranean herb garden is a great garden to start with; since it is pretty tough to kill these herbs; they are very useable in cooking, or even eaten raw; and some are great ingredients in salad dressings. There is lots of return for little effort here; as herbs are high in vitamins. Most herbs can be started easily from seeds; cuttings or even the smallest of garden center plant purchases (in other words; I would not bother buying the 1 liter plant when the basket stuff size will do. It should be noted that some people like to locate their dry herbs close to the kitchen, so they are more likely to snip a bit of this and a bit of that when they are cooking; it all depends on how you want to use your garden real estate; and what needs to be convenient for you. There are also herbs that are considered "wet" ;herbs, because they like to be moist; Basil, mint etc. Locate these herbs somewhere where it is easy to water them, and somewhere where you can easily keep an eye on them (and water them if they wilt) -- they might also like a break from the hot afternoon sun; so if the garden closest to your kitchen is shady in the hot afternoon (but still gets morning sun) - this is a good spot for them; making them easy to monitor, easy to water, and easy to snip a bit here and there when preparing a meal. What I gather from your question is you need to take a little more time thinking about how you will "group" your plants into garden beds; or zones within a bed. Again, my suggestion for complete beginners is the dry herb garden; it's the INTRO to gardening; and you know you are going when you start to use your herbs.....most people have an easy time getting the garden up and going, but have to force themselves to incorporate the herbs in their cooking in the beginning; it can be tough.
Reply
Dill 17 Jun, Celeste (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate): A late reply.... but none the less- here goes. You have planted incorrectly. That is, you should not interplant plants that like little water (dry) with heavy water consumers. This is part of the idea of companion planting - where you plant plants with similar needs, or plants that benefit each other in the same area. For example: carrots and tomatoes work well together; they have similar water requirements and they like the same type of soil. Further carrots are tap rooted and tomatoes have roots like fibers; this means you can plant them closer together and they should not bother each other. On the other hand a rosemary should not be planted near a tomato since rosemary is a "dry herb" and does not want to be as wet as the tomato. Your dry herbs are : rosemary. oregano. tarragon. thyme, marjoram and lavender (plus artesima/wormwood etc). Watering requirement approximate this for most vegetables: about 1.5 inches of water per week... maybe more, maybe less; it depends on a lot of factors. Look up by vegetable how much water is needed--- then use this calculation to figure out how to put that much water on: The calculations below are a good starting point; but watering needs change based on the weather (lots of dry heat means lots of water lost to evaporation, overcast and damp means very little water will "dry off") -- so you do need to adjust; but the calculations below might give you some idea of where to start. Let's say you have a garden bed that is 4' x 6' And lets say you want to put in two inches of water. So how much water is that ? First let's calculate the area of your bed in inches squared area = 4' x 6' area in inches = 48" x 72" area in inches = 3456 square inches So we want to cover 3456 square inches of garden with 2 inches of water So what we really need is the VOLUME (cubic inches) of water we need to cover this area Volume of water needed = 3456 sq inches of garden x 2" of water Volume of water needed = 6912 cubic inches of water ---> but what is a cubic inch of water in a measurement I understand ? Using a google app to convert cubic inches of water to gallons we input the number of cubic inches and it tells us what that is in gallons. So you need to add 30 gallons of water to have watered your 4' x 6' plot with 2 inches of water Reply

Dill 26 Mar, Grace (Australia - temperate climate)

Although dill is a hardy plant, it can be difficult to transplant young seedlings. Since dill does not transplant as well as other plants, plant dill seeds wherever you plan to grow them for the season.

Strawberry Plants 26 Mar, Kylie (Australia - temperate climate)

I've just received a shopping bag full of runners from a friend. It is now Autumn in Ballarat Victoria, how should I plant these now? Thanks

Strawberry Plants 27 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)

Autumn is a good time to plant strawberry runners. Clean up any dead material from around each plant, cutting off any dead leaves or broken roots at the same time. plant them in rows or large tubs to which you have added old cow manure or compost if you can. Many people used to put down plastic and plant them in slits in the plastic. This was to reduce weeds, conserve water and keep the fruit clean. The downside, very hot soil in the summer which kills soil life and difficulty in watering. Ideally use a natural mulch such as pine needles, sugar cane mulch or straw. you can also use autumn leaves. Spread the leaves over the lawn and run the mower over them. This will give you a blend of grass and chopped up leaves which will be free and make a good mulch.

Salsify (also Vegetable oyster) 26 Mar, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)

I just purchased salsify seeds produced by Bairnsdale seed company, Goodman Seeds. I picked them up in the local IGA supermarket!

Salsify (also Vegetable oyster) 27 Mar, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)

Goodman's is a good seed supplier to deal with. Their seeds are available from many outlets in Victoria and they are an independent, family owned company that has been going for about 125 years. If you are in other areas they do sell online.

Broccoli 26 Mar, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)

I planted my broccoli in January it's getting big enough but it's seems to be taking awhile to fruit it gets full sun and the leaves are good maybe I planted too soon

Broccoli 27 Mar, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)

Diane -- Temperate area - Bundaberg - I generally don't start planting until March - too hot and the chance of a down pour of heavy rain. Rain also brings out the moths. It has rained here the last 2 weeks on and off (8") and the plants can be smashed a bit if quite young. I'm planting broccoli seeds this arvo into egg cartoon (1st try). Maybe a bit shade over them for some or all of the day. Most plants grow slower and develop a better end produce when grown into the winter. When grow into the hotter months they tend to run to seed quicker.

Broccoli 27 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)

March and April are better months to plant broccoli. Having said that you should still get heads. While you are waiting, harvest and eat some of the leaves. treat it the same as cabbage because botanically it is the same plant.

Broccoli 30 Mar, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)

Well we have just had our rain down pour. I had a tarpaulin over our young plants to keep the rain off. The wind became too strong, so had to take it down. We have just had 3 1/4 inches of rain in just over an hour. The plants are swimming. 14 days of wet weather out of 17 days. Nearly 16 inches for the month. John I planted normal cabbage and savoy cabbage next too each other last year. The normal grew really well but the savoy would not head up - planted about early August. They were huge plants - all leaf.

Pumpkin 25 Mar, Rocco Zappia (Australia - temperate climate)

Good Day which month is good to plant "Halloween Pumpkin"

Pumpkin 27 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)

The best time to plant pumpkins, squash, zucchinis, cucumbers, etc is when the soil temperature is 15-17 degrees. This is around the end of October in the southern states. Many people say 'after the Grand Final' or 'Melbourne Cup' time.

Garlic 25 Mar, Hannah (Australia - temperate climate)

I am in Sydney, When will be good time to grow garlic ?

Garlic 27 Mar, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)

Garlic is normally planted as the season cools down and is harvested in late December. It likes a sunny spot but dislikes competition from weeds so keep it well mulched. Consistent watering is also important for the best yield.

Pumpkin 24 Mar, Peter Turner (Australia - temperate climate)

Planted Karadle Gray pumpkins late spring, they are still growing and prducing female flowers. it is now late March, when will they die of so we can pick the fruits. Peter

Pumpkin 24 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)

The likelihood of them ripening is fairly slim unless you don't get any frosts until late May. The vines will normally start to die off when they are ready. If you run out of time use them to make pumpkin soup or grate them to use in place of zucchinis in cakes or savoury muffins. Next season plant your seed in toilet paper cylinders or egg cartons so they will be ready to plant out in late October. Plant cylinder or egg 'cell' as well as it will rot.

Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 23 Mar, Monique Bentham (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have had the same issue with a few of my capsicums, after research I think the brown streaks are due to a mineral deficiency.

Shallots (also Eschalots) 22 Mar, Tery (Australia - temperate climate)

I think at times definitely garlic and therefore possibly therefore shallot it takes a couple of seasons to get results

Lettuce 22 Mar, Brooke (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Can I grow lettuce in freezing conditions that go to -10 degrees celcius?

Lettuce 23 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Lettuces prefer cooler weather and can stand a light frost. If the frosts are heavy and continuous the freeze will cause the leaves to break down and become necrotic (rot). Butterhead and Romaine type lettuces will tolerate much cooler conditions than the other varieties. You ccould cover them with old towels, etc but prolonges frosts would stil cause damage. Try growing lettuce as micro-greens on cotton wool or paper towel in a tray dampened with water. You could grow them inside and harvest the little leaves by snipping with scissors. All the best.

Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 22 Mar, Peter Lake (Australia - temperate climate)

I have recently purchased and potted up a Cape Gooseberry. It was a bit straggly so I trimmed it back a bit. I have used a good quality potting mix and have kept the water up to the plant. Having done all this the plant is now wilting as if there is too much moisture in the pot. I have kept the pot out of the sun as it has been very hot in Melbourne and the plant was starting to frizzle a bit. Any ideas as to the wilting? I am thinking I might transplant into a garden bed. Do you think this is necessary or should I just leave it. Regards Peter Lake

Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 23 Mar, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)

Cape gooseberries are normally treated as an annual. The cooler nights and mornings are probably contibuting to its sad appearance. It may still survive in a sheltered spot. Another alternative would be to buy some seed and germinaate them inside. Grow them on in individual pots ready for planting out in spring. That would get them established for a good season ahead.

Snow Peas (also Sugar Peas, Mangetout, Chinese Peas) 21 Mar, Deborah Ford (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Although we have had a lot of hot days this summer in South West Victoria, my sugar peas have just started producing beautifully and will make a nice quickly steamed vege with our Salmon tonight. I have watered them most days since they started showing shoots.

Showing 4921 - 4950 of 13854 comments

Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

All recent comments/discussion

Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

All recent comments/discussion

Become A Supporter!

Planting Reminders