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Showing 9271 - 9300 of 20215 comments
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners) 02 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Short pods on healthy plants could be caused by poor pollination due to heat. Beans are a warm season crop but pollination and bean set on climbers like Scarlet Runner can be reduced on very hot days. I have seen Scarlet Runner with some good pods then a gap on the flower spike where the beans didn't set pods then more pods. Beans are self pollinating and don't set on very hot days. I presume the plants are growing from a root that has been in the ground for a number of seasons. As you suggest, regularly picking is a must to stop beans going tough. Cutting back the tops of the runners will reduce your harvest in the short term but will encourage denser growth and may make the plants more manageable. I trust this helps. Maybe another reader has some ideas to solve your problem.
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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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Garlic 26 Feb, Mateke (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can I just grow garlic and store for more than 6 weeks?
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Garlic 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
When the tops die off garlic is ready for harvest. If you hang it in a dry airy place it will keep for months. You can use some of the cloves to gro your next crop. Trust this helps.
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 26 Feb, caroline (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
what time of the year can i plant yacon in the westerncape?
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Yacon needs a soil temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius or higher. Plant it about the same time as you would plant tomatoes. It takes about 6 monyjs to harvvest but some roots can be carefully removed earlier. The tops will die off if you get frosts but the roots will be sweeter after the first frost. Trust this helps
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Potato 26 Feb, Lorna Carter (New Zealand - temperate climate)
End of February can I plant potatos now? Position not a lot of sun and no frosts
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Potato 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
If you've not got anything else to plant give them a go. I have grown potatoes on the east side of the house which is shaded by flats next door first off then the house after midday. You're not likely to get the yield that you would with a spring-planted crop but any potato is better than no potato! Trust this helps.
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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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Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 25 Feb, Dogmama (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Can golden berries be grown in Wisconsin?
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Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in southern Australia but my research tells me that you could grow them in 5a. you would need to get the seedlings started inside in trays or pots in April for transplanting outside in June. They need 3-4 months to harvest so would be harvestable in September. I trust your season is long enough for this. All the best.
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Cucumber 25 Feb, Nicola (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi, we have been gifted 3 cucumber plants. The day our friend brought them to us her chooks sat on them. They were then in her boot the entire day on a 40 degree day. I had them in a morning to mid afternoon sunny spot and they were starting to liven up. The tops started dying off, then they fell over on themselves and cracked the stems. So we moved them to there permanent spot in the evening and in the morning we woke up and the dogs had toppled the 2 over. I picked them up and put the soil back in but now the stems are saggy, broken and the tops are all dried and brown. Please can you help me with advice on how to save these poor plants? I feel so terrible as this is the second set of plants our friend has given us and they are dying again :'(
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Cucumber 26 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like you've had a traumatic time! Under the circumstances you would be better to sow some fresh seed. It will germinate in a few days. Once plants are battered past a certain point they take a while to recover, if at all. You will need 3-4 months to harvest. 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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Showing 9271 - 9300 of 20215 comments
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