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Showing 9151 - 9180 of 20174 comments
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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Asparagus 11 Mar, Fiona (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I gather the berries now in Autumn and keep them to sow in Spring? Should I keep the seeds cool?
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Asparagus 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
There's no reason not too. Mother Nature does it! Plant them in a row about 75 mm (3") sapart and separate them the following winter for planting in their permanent position. All the best.
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Spinach (also English spinach) 11 Mar, Viv Shakespeare (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grew up in NZ and we grew and ate what we called spinach (english) or silver beet. I can easily buy the same silverbeet but never see english spinach, only 'baby'spinach. Not what I want on a winter's night. I thought it may be bought up by supermarkets from 'down south'. Also what did you mean by NZ Spinach? Thanks.
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Spinach (also English spinach) 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
New Zealand spinach, which also grows wild in south eastern Australia is a soft leafed groundcover with the name of Tetragonia tetragonioides. It is also called Warrigal Greens. It grows easily from cuttings and can be eaten raw or steamed. Normally only the tips and fresh growth are eaten. (http://www.gardenate.com/plant/NZ%20Spinach?zone=2)
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Spinach (also English spinach) 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Try a fruit shop or green grocer. In Victoria we can buy it in a bunch, including the roots (washed). Alternatively you could grow your own. Seed is readily available. All the best.
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Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 11 Mar, Kerry (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing Rosella in my aquaponics it is doing really well 600mms high 2 of them but I don't know how it will go through winter any guesses?
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Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 11 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Rosella is an annual plant. You could save some seed for next season. All the best.
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Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 22 Mar, kerry (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best way to collect seeds
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Potato 11 Mar, Carol S (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi, do you know where I can get the purple skinned maori potatos with a whute waxy texture. Thanks
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Potato 14 Mar, Toni deRooy (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Carol l have heaps l am in Waimate in the South Island - would you like me to send you some for seed
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Potato 23 Mar, Sarah (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Toni My husband and I have had a small crop (20 or so) and grown these rotating each year. Unfortunatly we believe we must have inadvertently eaten our saved ones and now we cant source any. We are in Wellington and I know it's a long shot but wondered if you could help. Kind regards Sarah
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Leeks 11 Mar, Lorraine (Australia - tropical climate)
When do I plant leeks in WA climate
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Leeks 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Leeks prefer temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees C. The WA Dept. Of Agriculture says they ca be grown all year round in Perth. Seeds take 2-4 months to be ready for transplanting and will take about 5-7months before they are ready for harvest. Leeks are often planted in trenches which are backfilled as they grow to produce long white shanks. They are delectable and are worth the wait if you have the available. All the best.
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Taro (also Dasheen, cocoyam) 11 Mar, Monika (Australia - tropical climate)
I am in Adelaide I am looking for taro to grow in my garden
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Taro (also Dasheen, cocoyam) 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Green Harvest at Maleny SE Qld list Taro. They can send to SA. There are no doubt other suppliers. You could try a local Permaculture group for some rhizomes as well. All the best
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Potato 10 Mar, Wendy (Australia - temperate climate)
Can a potatoes be grown in self wicking containers or would they get too damp?
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Potato 12 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Potatoes can be grown in wicking beds. If the beds are set up correctly they will only 'wick' the water that they need.
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Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock)) 10 Mar, Lanya Murray (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi , where can I get some burdock seeds ?
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Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock)) 09 Oct, Sarah (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Carols Heirloom Seeds on Trademe
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Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock)) 12 Mar, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try a search of NZ on-line suppliers
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Potato 09 Mar, ntobeko (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
hi,im ntobeko from portshepstone,i would like to know that"how is it possible to plant a potatoes to grow bigger without any fertilizer or chemicals?
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Potato 09 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
You certainly can grow potatoes without chemical sprays and fertilisers. Potaoes have been grown for hundreds of years without them. The soil needs to be friable or cultivated to at least 200mm (8") deep and have old manure worked into it. Plant the potato pieces about the same depth in the soil then cover. This depth is to reduce the chance of potato moths getting to the tubers to lay eggs. As the potato shoots emerge hill up around the stems with more soil or mulch and keep them watered. Potatoes are generally pest free and rewarding and a few can be scratched out about a month after flowering with the remainder harvested when the tops die off. Store the potatoes inside or in an airy, insect-proof container away from light. All the best with your potato growing!
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Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 09 Mar, Lhatso (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi do you know where I could buy the purple sweet potato that is purple flesh in side the skin as well.This variety is Grown in Japan
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Showing 9151 - 9180 of 20174 comments
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