All recent comments/discussion

Potato 22 Feb 12 sharon (New Zealand - temperate climate)

You can grow potatoes in old car tyres from a car tyre shop. Just stack the tyres on top of each other and fill with dirt with the potato with a shoot on it facing upwards. water. Don't forget to water. 3 months later potatoes.

Shallots (also Eschalots) 18 Feb 12 Julie (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

I have harvested my shallots today. they are really big like an onion. Will they be "smaller bulbs" under the skin/ How long before I can pickle/use them please.

Potato 17 Feb 12 Rae (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

what causes seed potatoes to grow potatoes but no tops? have had it the other way round, but this if a first. thanks

Snow Peas (also Sugar Peas, Mangetout, Chinese Peas) 16 Feb 12 Anne (New Zealand - temperate climate)

How do I rid my peas of what appear to be leaf miners?

Kale (also Borecole) 13 Feb 12 Pete (New Zealand - temperate climate)

You guys, This is too cool! The only website with usable info on how to plant things. Well done, you are on my bookmark list! Does anybody know where I can find Lavender Tree's? (Heteropyxis Natalensis I think it is called)

Potato 11 Feb 12 (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

What is a good crop to follow potatoes?

Cucumber 09 Feb 12 merin (New Zealand - temperate climate)

My 4 cuccumber plants are flowering well and inspite of pollinating with a small brush, only one or two flowers have matured into fruit. Do they need a specific food?

Salsify (also Vegetable oyster) 08 Feb 12 Lara (New Zealand - temperate climate)

seeds for both salsify and scorzonera are available form online seed suppliers. I've had about a 90% germination rate and there's enough seeds in one packet to plant 2 6 foots rows twice. Am harvesting my first ever crop in about 2 weeks!!

Cabbage 08 Feb 12 Liz (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Alli, if you can put your broccoli in a different bed, it would be good. They are the same family as cabbages so use the same nutrients from the soil. If you've no choice, try adding some all-purpose fertiliser.

Pumpkin 08 Feb 12 sharyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi I have a large pumpkin plant grown from seed it has lots of green leaves, should some green leaves be cut off to let the sun in near where the pumpkins are hope someone has knows

Onion 07 Feb 12 Michelle (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Have grown both red and brown onions this summer and while the red have been fantastic and formed huge bulbs the brown look more like leeks? They are in same garden and same sun levels. Any ideas would be great fully appreciated

Cabbage 07 Feb 12 Alli (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

I am about to plant my cabbage seedlings but before I do I wondered if I can grow them in the same spot I just finished using for broccoli?

Salsify (also Vegetable oyster) 06 Feb 12 Alan (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Grows like a weed. Seems unaffected by insects like carrot fly etc. Yet to eat any but looking forward to something different.

Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Chinese Lanterns) 04 Feb 12 Greg (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

I just bought a plant today, with fruit already, maybe 50cm tall, Kings Plant Barn. Where is best place to plant, mostly protected with not much north aspect , am running out of space actually, help please?

Carrot 02 Feb 12 Nathan (New Zealand - temperate climate)

In the past I have had great luck by burring a soak hose about 50 cm below my carrots before planting along with a bit of fertilizer. The carrot roots want to grow toward more nutrients and therefore grow straight down and get nice and big.

Cucumber 31 Jan 12 (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Valma, are you keeping your plants well watered?

Cucumber 31 Jan 12 valma (New Zealand - temperate climate)

plenty of cucumbers on plant but they are very slow to get bigger. Earlier plant did very well with veges growing very quickly. Help

Carrot 30 Jan 12 John (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Hi our carrots are growing tops but there are no roots to them. Why?

Sunflower 28 Jan 12 Alyson Bradley (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I simply want to ask for advice from the experts, new to sun flower growing... but as in Christchurch so want to bring some sun shine back here and in tend to turn my biggest lawn into a sunflower field, the idea makes me smile and I feel bring a few more smiles back where needed , if you have any ideas, help or advice.. I am listening ;))))))

Asparagus 27 Jan 12 Debbie Leppingwell (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Just inherited a 3yr old patch from the next door neighbour can I transplant to my garden and when is the best time Thanx

Shallots (also Eschalots) 23 Jan 12 Jane (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Glenys, I planted some for the first time last year. Broke them up and planted them like garlic (at about the same time of year too). They did fine, each "clove" sprouted about four or five bulbs.

Capsicum (also Bell pepper, Sweet pepper) 21 Jan 12 Ayesha (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

I want to know if I import capsicum from India , will it be a good idea , can i sell in New Zealand very well?

Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow) 19 Jan 12 Sheryl (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Tromboncini are also known as rampicante

Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 19 Jan 12 Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Kat, you could take off the main growing tip to encourage side shoots and more flowers.

Basil (herb) 19 Jan 12 Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Courtney, the yellow patches can be caused by some sort of soil deficiency . Are your basil plants still growing in seed raising mix? they need to be transferred to soil or a general potting mix soon after three or four leaves appear. Another cause of yellowing can be cold.

Eggplant (also Aubergine) 19 Jan 12 (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Alli, your eggplant needs to be pollinated either by insects (outdoors) or by hand with a soft artists' brush or a cotton bud. Once the weather settles, you would be safe to put your pot outside.

Basil (herb) 19 Jan 12 Courtney (New Zealand - temperate climate)

My basil is gettting yellow patches on the leaves, what could this be?

Lettuce 15 Jan 12 Kiri (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Lettuce love spring and autumn but in the summer it is too hot and they don't grow tasty not in full sun. I have been told that they can grow in summer tasty but in the shade or perhaps 1/2 shade. I am trying them in the shade with some success (not as good as in the spring) (under a melon) and I am trying other experiments at the moment under shade cloth and in a part shaded potting shed. They also need plenty of water.

Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 15 Jan 12 Kat (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I have a rockmelon plant that is currently running away, is it ok to trim off the excess and will that force its growing energy into fruiting?

Eggplant (also Aubergine) 15 Jan 12 Alli (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi, I'm a first time 'learner' gardener, and I planted eggplant in an enormous pot in our sunny lounge. The plant has gotten really quite large, and has had a few flowers - but no fruit. Do I need to stick this out in the garden somewhere for it to fruit? Thanks in advance :)