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Showing 4981 - 5010 of 13854 comments

Leeks 15 Mar, Nicki (Australia - temperate climate): Can leeks be grown together with lettuce and spinach?
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Leeks 15 Mar, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate): I don't know of any reason why not. It really amounts to the quality of the soil but 'stacking' plants is a good way to increase yield in a given space. The lettuce and spinach would be long harvested by the time the leeks are ready. You could also plant radishes as they only take about 4 weeks to harvest. I probably wouldn't plant other members of the onion fmily like this as they are susceptible to fungal problems and need an open spot with good air circulation.
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Lettuce 15 Mar, Nicki (Australia - temperate climate): Can spinach and lettuce be grown in the same bed together?
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Carrot 15 Mar, Joel (Australia - temperate climate): Tip: Carrots are best grown in sandy soil and work best in pots
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Ginger 14 Mar, Amber Caruso (USA - Zone 5a climate): I live in Dubuque Iowa. Can I grow ginger? Plant in the spring if so?
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Ginger 15 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): I have read of people growing ginger in Nebraska so you could give it a go. Ideally you need summer temperature of around 80 degrees F and a growing season of 5-6 months to be successful. you could simulate this by growing it in a large tub behind a sunny window then move it outside when the days are longer and warmer. A tunnel house or hothouse would also work. if you can fulfil these basic requirements 'go for it', that's what gardeners are about!
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Potato 14 Mar, Sam (Australia - temperate climate): Hi my potatoes are growing seed pods - like little green cherry tomatoes I've heard the seeds from these grow "True Potato" plants? Is this true & do I want to try grow them..?? Thanks, Sam
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Potato 15 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): The small fruit or seed potatoes contain proper seed and varieties and hybrids are grown this way. We normally use small potatoes as seed because it is more convenient and quicker. But don't hesitate to take on the challenge if you like. I don't know whether you would get potatoes of any size in a season.
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Pumpkin 14 Mar, Paul Tracey (Australia - temperate climate): I see from the Gardenate planting guide that the planting time for pumpkins is September to December. I purchased butternut pumpkin seedlings from Bunnings in February. Is the selling of such seedlings out of step with the recommended planting season unethical? The seedlings have grown and there are currently 3 pumpkins visible. I am concerned that by planting them outside the recommended period they will not mature to completion.
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Pumpkin 21 Apr, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi there, depending where you live I read on an abc gardening page in a sub tropical environment that pumpkins could be grown throughout the year .I put mine in late decmber and they are simply powering along with many fruit now softball size .I hope this helps.
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Pumpkin 15 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Pumpkins are best planted when soil temperatures have reached 15-17 degrees C. This varies between climate zones, Australia is a large country. A soil thermometer is aa good investment to check this. They usually cost around $20.00. If you plant seedlings in February you would need to have about 4 frost-free months to harvest. As for ethics many companies sell what looks good or what people want. Tomato plants are available in Victoria as early as July. They will not do well until mid to late October when the soil has warmed up and many will die. This suits the seedling growers as they will sell more plants as replacements. Having said that if you have a sheltered spot you could get tomatoes going earlier. The best thing to do is to check the planting times on this site relevant to your area and don't be tempted by what's on offer.
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Potato 14 Mar, Kerrieanne (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hello and thanks in advance for your advice. I live just north of Gympie Qld and our area has just been declared in drought. I've never grown potatoes before so an a novice. I've just purchased some seed potatoes and am wanting information on how to plant them and when. I'm thinking maybe in an old iron bathtub or garbage bins. Thanks again Kerrieanne
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Potato 15 Mar, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate): The containers you suggested would be ideal. If you are using a bath take the plug fitting out, to improve drainage, and put a layer of stones or crushed rock like (railway ballast) in the bottom to improve drainage. Cover this layer with old jeans, newspaper or cardboard. this will help hold water and stop sediment from blocking the drainage. Add a layer of potting mix or growing medium and then a layer of old manure or blood & bone. Cover this with more mix and thenspace your seed potatoes out. Cover them with mix and give them a water. When the shoots emerge keep adding mix. Potatoes form on the stems not the roots. As with all plants growing in containers ensure thet they are in a position where the container will not get too hot as the roots will 'cook'. Attention to water is also important, mulching will help.
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Rhubarb 14 Mar, Joanne (Australia - temperate climate): Hello, Is Rhubarb available all year round in Australia? I'm from Britain and our climate is pretty "simpler" (lack of a better word) when it comes to planting and harvesting. But I see in Australia the climate varies and i guess so does harvesting time?
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Rhubarb 15 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): Rhubarb is generally available all year round from nurseries, garden centres hardware stores like Bunnings and is also often available from community or farmers markets. Most plants available are seedlings and stem colour can be vary from green through to deep red. This doesn't affect the flavour, only the appearance. Add a few drops of cochineal (a natural red colouring) to improve the appearance. Roots are sometimes available in the winter. Check the places mentioned during winter.
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Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 13 Mar, Anton Morrison (Australia - temperate climate): I have grown cape gooseberry from seeds and have just recently started repotting them. With some of the plants there are obviously more than one plant in them. Should I cut back all but the smallest or will they just carry on regardless? Thanks in advance. A.
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Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 14 Mar, Ken (Australia - temperate climate): Normally you would select the strongest plant and cut off or remove the others. This would give the remaining plant the best chance of developing. Cape gooseberies are frost tender and are normally treated as an annual but will cary over in areas with mild winters. You could pot them on and keep them in a protected area until the spring before planting out if you need to.
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Jerusalem Artichokes (also Sunchoke) 12 Mar, Garry Chellew (Australia - temperate climate): Where can you purchase seed stock tubers
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Jerusalem Artichokes (also Sunchoke) 13 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Jerusalem artichoke tubers are usually available from nurseries, garden centres or hardware stores such as Bunnings in the winter, along with seed potatoes, garlic, etc. When you have got them growing you will have them forever, but that's not such a bad thing. All the best.
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Ginger 12 Mar, James. Bruce. (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I am new to growing ginger, being south of Brisbane 40k inland of the coast. I would like to know if ginger ectra can grow here? We would like to grow them in large pots is this ok? do they like full sun, part shade or full shade?
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Ginger 13 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): You should be able to grow ginger, I grow it in southern Victoria. It will need a warm spot because it is a tropical plant. You could plant it in a big tub and move it under cover if you get frosts. Alternatively lift the rhizomes in autumn when the tops start to die off. Rhizomes can rot in cold, wet soil. Trust this helps.
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 12 Mar, Jill (Australia - sub-tropical climate): My eggplants are purple but very hard. Now starting to go green and a bit striped. I picked this one and cooked - it was a little bitter. Am I leaving it too late or picking too early. Thanks jill
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 13 Mar, KS (Australia - temperate climate): Hey Jill, did you slice and salt and rest your eggplant before cooking? this can help flavour, minimise any bitterness. Cut to thickness desired, salt and let sit in a colander for 1-2hrs, then rinse and dry (i use an old tea towel). Then cook for your recipe or just oil on a hot pan a bit more salt to bring out the flavour then cook 'til golden. hope this helps.
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 13 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): When eggplants are ripe they have creamy white flesh. If the flesh is greenish give them a bit more time. They will reward you well if they also have a good, even water supply. Trust this helps.
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Potato 12 Mar, Bill Guy (Australia - temperate climate): We are "virgin" vegetable growers with a small garden. Can we grow potatoes in big plastic pots that a neighbour left behind when she moved. These pots have a tube sticking out at the side at the bottom which i guess is for draining. We have 3 of these pots. We would like to grow new potatoes for Christmas. We live in Adelaide when would plant the seed potatoes. We interested in growing our own organic vegies. Appreciate any advice. Wish us luck. Regards Bill.
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Potato 13 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Potatoes can certainly be grown in large pots or tubs. If the pots are about 15 to 20 litres (or more) they wil be ideal. Do the pots have a separate bottom in them? they may be self-watering pots. Put some newspaper or a layer of old cotton clothes or part of the leg of an old pair of jeans in the bottom. This will help hold water and will eventually rot, helping to build up the soil. Add a layer of good potting mix then a layer of old rotted manure. Follow this with another layer of potting mix so that your pot is about half full. Place a couple of pieces of potato or 'seed' potato on this layer and cover with potting mix. Consistent watering is very important for all plants in tubs. As the shoots emerge keep adding potting mix until you have reached the top (some weeks). Potatoes form off the stems on this section of the plant, not off the roots at the base. In colder areas leave planting until late winter. In Adelaide you may be able to put the pots in a sheltered spot and grow them throughout the year. You should have no difficulty having new potatoes for Christmas. New potatoes can be bandicooted about a month after flowering. Just scratch down beside the plant and take them, being careful not to disturb the plant too much. When the tops die off we call them old potatoes. These ones will keep longer. We are very happy to support you in your venture, all my answers or comments will be 'organic'. Keep the questions coming, remembering: 'there is no such thing as a dumb question'. All the best in your move to grow your own 'clean', healthy food.
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Strawberry Plants 11 Mar, Barry Folo (Australia - sub-tropical climate): What are the best variety strawberries for south east Queensland?
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Strawberry Plants 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Tioga, Earlisweet and Redlands Crimson are good varieties for Queensland. Trust this helps.
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Ginger 11 Mar, Carmel (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I am growing both ginger and turmeric and was wondering if cutting the tops off will encourage better growth of the actual ginger or turmeric ?
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Ginger 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): The leaves on a plant photosynthesise using sunlight to build the plant including the roots. While pinching out the tips on some plants encourages branching the better way to increas your rhizome size would be to feed the soil. Plenty of old manure and mulch. Trust this helps.
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