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Showing 9151 - 9180 of 20215 comments
Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 17 Mar, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
Potato is a member of the Solanum (nightshade) family while kumara (sweet potato) is a member of the Ipomoea family which includes other plants such as Morning Glory, a totally different Genus.The purple 'kumara' may have been a knobbly potato packed with the others by mistake.
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Cucumber 16 Mar, Margaret McDonald (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Why are the skins (of Lebanese cucumbers) so tough?
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Celeriac 16 Mar, Jan (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
How do you know when the celeriac is ready to harvest?
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Celeriac 17 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Harvest celeriac when the stem is 75-100 mm (3-4") across or before a heavy frost is likely.
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Tomato 16 Mar, Joan Fox (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Would tomato plant grow and produce fruit if planted in a pot on a sheltered veranda during winter months?. Would get all morning sun.
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Tomato 17 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Tomatoes need heat to grow and produce. If you can where the soil in the container will stay warm enough you could certainly give it a try. You would need maximum sunshine and protection from frosts and cold winds. I have heard of people putting pots against a brick wall so that some of the heat absorbed by the wall can help overnight. If you have a sunny spot near a window inside what about planting them inside in a pot or a hanging basket. 'Tumbler' is a good hanging basket variety that bears very well and looks good. Let us know on this site how you get on.
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Tomato 18 Mar, Robyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I agree that Tumbler is a great "cherry type" tomato, and a great performer. I grow both yellow and red variety. Plant two plants in each large hanging basket, feed well and you should get toms from Oct till April. I hang mine off the picnic table on my deck, we pick our own for meals, easy!
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Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 16 Mar, Marie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, we had the first frost this morning, my plant is full of big green chilies, is it now time to pick all my chilies or will they still turn red? Also how do i save chilie sead for next year?
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Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 17 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
If the chillies are hit by frost they are likely to rot. I suggest pulling the plants out by the roots and hanging them upside down in a protected spot. This works with tomatoes and at least you would redeem some or most of them. To save seed cut or flick them out and let them dry on some paper towel. Store them in a paper bag or envelope with the name and date on it.
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Strawberry Plants 15 Mar, Osone Layer (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the time for buying strawberries
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Strawberry Plants 15 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Strawberry plants are normally available from late autumn through winter from nurseries, garden centres, bigger hardware stores, etc. They come bare rooted or packed in damp sawdust in a plastic bag.
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Asparagus 15 Mar, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Keep the seeds in a cool dry place. I kept watering my asparagus all the way into July last year - spears kept coming up. When I did cut them in August, new spears appeared in week or so. I gave my 3 plants a big hair cut a week ago. I have 4 x 6' posts at the corners of the garden bed and cord running around the post to support the ferns. The ferns grow to 6-8' high. I only cut spears for 1 month last year (2 yr old plant). In hindsight I could have cut them for another 4-6 weeks. The crowns are now about 15" in diameter (2.5 yrs old now). The little seedlings I planted out in Sept are still growing - the shade cloth cover did the trick. The last 2.5 mths have seen the temp in the 32-34 degree area (3 d above average). Have grown quite well in this rather hot weather. Looking forward to August - November to having a great feed off them.
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Asparagus 15 May, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
All my asparagus grew really well in April especially the new little plants (6) from seed planted Sept last year. Although I keep trimming the older plants back they just keep growing - the warm weather - 26 C here today and nights 14-16 C. Looks like another warm winter coming.
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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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Cowpeas (also Black eye peas, Southern peas) 14 Mar, Phil Gray (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I purchase these peas?
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Cowpeas (also Black eye peas, Southern peas) 15 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
After a fair bit of searching I got onto Kiwi Seeds in Blenheim. I spoke to Maren and she said they didn't have them currently but could get them. They normally supply farmers but would be haappy to supply you some. talk to them on 3 578 0468. Trust this helps
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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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Showing 9151 - 9180 of 20215 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. GardenGrow 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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