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Showing 5041 - 5070 of 13854 comments
Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 05 Mar, Simon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Max, Best trap the rabbit and enjoy a rabbit and vege stew.
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 04 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Rabbits, possums, etc can be a real menace with our vegetables. Multicrop have a product call 'Scat' which is supposed to provide protection for up to 10 weeks. I haven't used it but have used other products from the same company and found them to be safe and effective. It is available at Bunnings but should be available from other hardware stores and garden centres. the DEPI in Victoria, Dept Env. Land and Water have a number of solutions to the problem. Look up - www.depi.vic.gov.au and search for possum repellants. Their recipe using Quassia chips has been around for many years. Trust this helps.
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Luffa (also Loofah, plant sponge) 01 Mar, trudi pollard (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in West Australia Bedfordale in the hills a bit cooler than Perth Where can i get seeds for growing loofah in the west?
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Luffa (also Loofah, plant sponge) 02 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Luffa seeds are available from Eden Seeds at Lower Beechmont and Green harvest at Maleny, both in SEQld. they can be sent to WA from the eastern states. All the best
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 27 Feb, Anthea (Australia - temperate climate)
Rockmelons are sweet, but the flesh is too hard rather than juicy. Any suggestions as to how I can grow better ones next year?
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 28 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I only thing I would suggest is not enough water. As melons are very high in water they need a good constant supply to fill out. Mulching the roots will help conserve water. All the best for next season.
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Cauliflower 27 Feb, robert (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I grow brocoli/cauliflower/rhubarb in Townsville and if so what time of year is best. Do they go into direct sunlight or shady area. Just moved to here and I want to establish my own garden for my needs.
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Cauliflower 28 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
You can grow broccoli and cauliflower. There is a local group called - Permaculture Townsville and their website is: permaculturetownsville.org. Have a look at their site and maybe contact them for local advice. Rhubarb would be a real challenge as it likes cooler winters. Peter Cundall of various gardening publications suggests freezing the root, wrapped in plastic for a month during what we would call winter. I have not tried it but he has had many years of eperience and says it works. Trust this helps.
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 27 Feb, Michael (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The seeds scooped out of a rockmelon be used to grow seedlings. I realise they would have to be dried first, but then its too early here in NSW central plains to plant. Thank you for any assistance.
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 28 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Unless the variety is an F1 hybrid you most certainly can save the seed and it will produce true to type. The chances of it being an F1 are very slim and it would have said so on the seed packet. F1 seed is still OK but may not produce the same as its parent. Rinse them thoroughly in a sieve and lay them on paper towel or cloth to dry. When they are dry store them in a paper bag or envelope with the name and date written on it. Trust this helps.
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 01 Mar, Michael (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thanks John for that information. Will give them a go in Spring.
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 27 Feb, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Put the seeds in a glass of water. The ones that sink to the bottom are the good seeds...dry them out and store them to plant in Spring. They should be good to keep for 3 to 4 years. You can start them in pots 4-6 weeks before Spring, then plant the seedlings in early Spring.
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 20 Dec, teigan (Australia - temperate climate)
Does this just apply to rockmelon/ melon varieties or other seeds?
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 01 Mar, Michael (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thanks David, will follow that advice and give them a go in spring.
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Beetroot (also Beets) 26 Feb, Brenda (Australia - arid climate)
Hi John can please tell me what sort of soil and fertilizer should I use for growing Beetroot. Thanks Brenda.
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Beetroot (also Beets) 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Beetroot likes good, friable soil. it is a heavy feeder but too much nitrogen will cause large tops and small roots. Plenty of well rotted manure or compost added to the soil, say 1-2 buckets per square metre would be great, but use what you can. With root vegetaables consistent watering is essential. This keeps the beets growing and will avoid woodiness in the roots. If you have just grown lettuces or another leaf crop the soil should be ideal as the lef crop will have used up some of the nitrogen. If you do end up withh large tops, eat them. Beetroot and silver beet are botanically the same plant and the leaves are very nutritious. All the best.
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Onion 25 Feb, Eric ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow onion in Hervey bay qld the sweet variety preferably
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Onion 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Onions like a cooler climate but you could try Creamgold (Pukekohe) in late March or April for late spring/early summer harvest. As an alternative try shallots or potato onions. Onions don't like too much manure/fertiliser and need an open sunny spot with good airflow to avoid mildew problems. All the best.
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Watermelon 25 Feb, Michael Mizzi (Australia - temperate climate)
I tried to grow water melons but my vines never produce any fruit,, yes no fruit,, I have planted heaps of seeds all over my yard in different positions and I have watched the water melon vines grow very big and spread everywhere but the vines never grow any fruit what am I doing wrong. I have used mulchand compost in the soil I have prepared the soil properly with the appropriate top soil and cow manure,, please help me,, thanks Michael
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Watermelon 05 Dec, marylou (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, Have you notice any bees? If you don't then that might be you problem. regards Marylou
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Watermelon 01 Mar, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)
With Watermelon, I find the leaner the soil, the better (I grow in a very sandy/gravel soil with great results. In a temperate climate you should get your seeds planted early Spring, and get the seedlings in the ground once the overnight temperatures rise (late Sept/early October) as they need a long Summer season. I'm in S.E.South Oz and grow both Watermelon and Cucumber in abundance. Regular heavy watering in a North facing (full sun) position should do the trick. As Watermelon and Cucumber are the same family, once you start seeing flowers, spray/mist water onto the flowers to promote more growth. Good luck!
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Watermelon 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Watermelons generally like a long hot season. Next season look up some of the heritage seed companies and get seed of varieties that are 'short' season or cooler climate. This may solve your problem as in countries like Canada and The northern USA as well as some parts of Europe watermelons are grown. Your soil preparation sounds great. Cucurbits like watermelons produce male flowers earlier than female (fruiting) flowers so growing a shorter season variety may help. All the best.
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Parsnip 25 Feb, Ruth L. (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
here you find the best tips for growing parsnips!! https://www.organicgardener.com.au/blogs/parsnip-secrets happy gardening and success with the parsnips!!
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Parsnip 25 Feb, Ruth L. (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
In the Barrington Tops area we always plant parsnips (organically) from August to February, mind you the ones that had a bit of frost taste a lot sweeter!! I don't believe that leaving parsnips in the same patch to self seed is a good idea, crop rotation is a must for healthy growth! we harvest by hand (fork!!) very carefully....(medium scale)
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Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 24 Feb, filippo italiano (Australia - temperate climate)
in pert w a can i plant climbing lama beans or other beans
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Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Climbing or pole beans do not set beans in hot weather. This happens even in South-eastern Australia where it is cooler. Climbing beans are generally very good yielders so as a consolation you could just grow bush beans, a few seeds at a time to extend your harvest. Someone else may have some ideas for growing pole beans in Perth. Trust this helps.
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Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 06 Mar, Kim (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi....I live in Perth WA and have found blue lake beans reliable croppers(even in summer). They have been affected when prolonged heat, but in general do ok. I have very rich soil which is constantly mulched and have added 20kg per sq m of kaolin clay(soil solver) which is one of the best things I have ever done to improve my soil. I also grow snake beans through out spring summer also. Cheers
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Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 09 Apr, Stephanie (Australia - arid climate)
Read your message thanks .... I have an allotment in Perth & want to grow scarlet runner beans.... have you tried them? Are the blue lake variety flat beans Interested to hear about the kaolin Nice to here from someone on this side of Australia
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Jerusalem Artichokes (also Sunchoke) 23 Feb, Sandy (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my JA's last year (late) and didn't harvest them. This year thaey have gone mad. The article says 1.5m tall. Mine are 2.5mts+ with plenty of flowers. Looking forward to harvesting them I don't think I have ever eaten them before. Anyone have good preparation/cooking tips for them?
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Jerusalem Artichokes (also Sunchoke) 14 Jan, Warren (Australia - arid climate)
In New Zealand (where Jerusalem Artichokes are also known as "Kiwi Yams") we roast them with a leg of lamb, sweet potatoes, parsnips, swedes and pumpkin.
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Showing 5041 - 5070 of 13854 comments
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