All recent comments/discussion

Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
Showing 11101 - 11130 of 20218 comments
Carrot 29 Dec, Heather Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
I have recently acquired a 4m x4m plot in a community garden and the soil in quite sandy.I have previously only gardened with clay soil and these soil conditions are a new learning curve for me.What can I do to improve the soil for vegetable growing.
Reply
Carrot 30 Dec, Gregg Miller (Australia - temperate climate)
Heather, I guess you are in a coastal area. The use of seaweed has very successful in this way. My Mum used to gather seaweed from the local beach on the NSW Central Coast. Use the seaweed and along with spent mushroom compost, news paper, straw, other compost from organic matter only. Australian soils are very poor and most need this kind of build up. Local Stores that sell mushrooms will also sell spent compost. You could also try a legume such as peas, these add nitrogen, easy to grow and then turn in. You may also find Complete Australian Gardener book willbe most helpful. Gregg.
Reply
Carrot 02 Jan, Gregg Miller (Australia - temperate climate)
Heather I was wondering how You went. Gregg Miller Sydney
Reply
Carrot 08 Jan, Heather Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
I have recently acquired a plot in a community garden and as the soil is sandy over limestone, I had every intention of using the No- Dig method of raising the garden beds and building up the layers starting with a wetta soil product with a bentalite clay additive, newspaper,a layer of coarse composted bark chips and then the usual layers of lucerne ,blood and bone, manure ,pea straw, compost etc. I know Perth soils are very sandy and they use this wetta soil product to help retain some moisture...Am I wasting my time trying this. Great idea about the seaweed! Would you have dry it first or do you use it in its fresh state. I have only gardened on biscay clay soils around the Barossa Valley previously so this is a whole new ball game for me. Appreciate you taking the time to reply,Thanks!!
Reply
Carrot 10 Jan, heatherRyan (Australia - temperate climate)
P.S. Sorry the correct spelling of the clay product is bentonite clay and I did a little research about Seaweed and you don't have to wash the salt off it it you only use small amounts of it . I am still awaiting approval for my plot as it has to go before a committee meeting who meet monthly.
Reply
Carrot 13 Jan, Haydn G (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Heather, You may wish to check out a product called Soil Solver Clay. This contains kaolin clay and is far more "garden friendly" than bentonite clay. I have used both and found kaolin clay more favourable and you can use a lot more in your soil to hold the moisture. Also, I have seen a reduction in nematode activity when I have used kaolin clay. This may be coincidence only. Have a look at the Youtube video by Trevor Cochrane. Hope this helps.
Reply
Carrot 15 Jan, Heather Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you for joining the conversation on my sandy soil problem. I will certainly do some research on the product you suggested and watch the video. - any knowledge from personal experience is certainly appreciated. Heather.
Reply
Carrot 10 Feb, Karl Parkes (Australia - temperate climate)
In 2009,I moved into a sydney coastal village at Narrabeen, and was given quite a large garden area for my use.This area was originally a sand dune area and the "soil"was atrocious and dried out before my eyes.Also nutrient quality was practically zero.So I got to work on the problem.Once a month for FOUR YEARS,I applied a 5 cm.layer of grass clippings all over the place [tedious] and let it rot in.I also watered the clippings often so that they would rot away.Finally,it worked and I now have a top zonal area of about 30 cms.which appears fertile and my plantings are going well.I also applied chicken poo pellets 3 times a year and soluble fertiliser.I still have to water regularly because although the topsoil is now good,the underlying base is pure sand with no water retention properties.
Reply
Carrot 16 Feb, Heather Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you for joining in the conversation on a solution for sandy soils. I have read your comment with interest and will look forward to solving my problem too with a lot of organic matter, hard work and some patience. Pleased to hear all the work you have put into your soil is finally paying off...well done!!
Reply
Carrot 31 Jan, Gregg Miller (Australia - temperate climate)
There are many ways to solve this sandy problem without going to great expense. Before You spend You hard earned $$$. Start a compost corner of Your garden. Only 'organic' matter from Your garden goes in. The seaweed, can You add this in ? If not keep all kitchen scraps, mown grass, other cuttings but do remember that 'weeds' have seeds and will invade Your efforts put them in Your bin. If there are any places where bagged horse, cow, chook poo etc are sold at road sides these will bring up Your soil Nitrogen levels as well. Spent mushroom compost has two advantages, it's perfect for You and new mushies usually grow. !! Good luck. Gregg.
Reply
Carrot 10 Feb, Heather Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Apologies for the late reply.Thank you for your advice on improving my sandy soil problem...I'm lucky enough to be able to acquire a great variety of animal manures and have started keeping all my organic matter for a that little compost corner including my kitchen scraps, seaweed,egg shells and banana skins. I have progressed to doing one half of my plot with layering all of the above with peastraw in my No Dig garden and it's coming along beautifully. As they say it's cooking!!! We get a little impatient as gardeners and expect things to happen yesterday but I'm doing all the right things so all is good. Thank you again for your imput I have really appreciated the advice. Heather.
Reply
Carrot 23 Nov, Robert (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Heather. I was in a more temperate area of Tas when I started gardening in nearly pure sand. Every weekend I took the kids to the beach and we collected bags of sea grass. Spread, and when dry tilled in. After two or three years, carrots were huge, tender and flavoursome. Some could be over 600mm long and completely edible. So there are advantages in persistence. Beware sheep manure!!!! It can be full of the most obnoxious weeds. Better to hessian bag it and place in a barrel of water for two weeks or more. Dilute the 'water' in your watering can, to the colour of weak tea and use as a plant leaf spray and around the roots. Once I had built up the humus, I could grow anything.
Reply
Horseradish 29 Dec, joyce (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have been looking after a friends plants. One of them was a horseradish plant in a pot. Just one little frail leaf. It did not last. So will I be able to get a replacement now from a nursery? I live in inner city Sydney
Reply
Luffa (also Loofah, plant sponge) 29 Dec, Jessica (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My luffa plant grow really tall and healthy but I didn't see any fruit yet? Could you pls tell me which month they will start fruiting??? Thanx
Reply
Luffa (also Loofah, plant sponge) 02 Sep, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, loofah take a while to fruit. I'm planting seedlings now and would expect results in January/February.
Reply
Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 28 Dec, Bob (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted 2 capsicum plants about 3 weeks ago 30 cms apart Seasolled twice a week . Initially grew from 150 cms to about 250 quickly and developed glowers but flowers withered and dropped off. Plants still looking healthy. Any suggestions
Reply
Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 30 Dec, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check out an American site ...'Why A Pepper Drops The Flower Bud - Gardening Know How'. They say temperature, lack of pollination or fertiliser/water practices are usually the culprits
Reply
Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 06 Jan, Hafeez Rehman (USA - Zone 6a climate)
You can polinate them by yourself. normaly it is bees who do it.. have a stick and wrap cotton on it....and touch this to all the flowers. when you done this....you wait.... if the flowers has started becoming fruit...it is now ok.
Reply
Rhubarb 28 Dec, (Australia - temperate climate)
My sister in Whangarei New Zealand has great Rhubarb in her garden. She uses a split peice of pvc pipe around the stalks to make them grow longer. About 30 cms or more long.
Reply
Asparagus 26 Dec, Simon Chauke (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am living at Tzaneen and I would like to know if is the place to start growing asparagus for commercial us. Can asparagus be grown in tunnel. Where can I get seeds for asparagus
Reply
Rhubarb 26 Dec, James (Australia - tropical climate)
What would be the best rhubarb to grow in Townsville? as it is not a cool climate and can get very hot. Would I be able to buy plants up here I have looked around but have not seen any.
Reply
Rhubarb 11 Jun, Debra Farrell (Australia - tropical climate)
what rhubarb is suitable to grow in Townsville
Reply
Rhubarb 22 Apr, Tempest (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Apparently this is an old Queensland variety: https://www.diggers.com.au/shop/vegetables/rhubarb/rhubarb-mount-tamborine/prhmt/ Not sure if the climate is the same as Townsville, but might be worth a try?
Reply
Horseradish 26 Dec, Terry (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in inner city Sydney and planted horseradish in potting mix in a pot at the back of the pot section on my west-facing balcony in about June (?). I've pretty much left it alone except for an occasional water if it's been particularly dry. The leaves have grown well - they were pretty lush before though I've noticed now that they're a bit torn - whether this is from an insect or from a few hailstorms I'm not sure. Thing is... I have no idea when to harvest them. How do I know if they're ready to be pulled up and used? And can I just pull up one leaf/plant and leave the rest in the pot? Also, I'm experimenting now but I really want to have some fresh root available in March/April next year. Do I have to replant at a particular time? Can I leave the current plants in the pot until then? etc
Reply
Tomato 24 Dec, peter haggarty (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
interested in variaties of acid free tomatoes for inland southeast qld area , please if anyone has any recommendations ??
Reply
Tomato 29 Dec, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
seeds australia online mention a miniature red pear tomato and a miniature yellow pear that they say are acid free
Reply
Salsify (also Vegetable oyster) 24 Dec, Hanna Michalzik (Australia - temperate climate)
I have just read your request for salsify seeds. I have just harvested some seeds and I am happy to give you some. I live in Kelmscott. Best regards Hanna
Reply
Salsify (also Vegetable oyster) 03 Aug, Fran (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there, I realise that you offered salsify seeds quite a while ago but I am wondering if you have any I can get from you. I am willing to pay for them. Many thanks Fran
Reply
Ginger 22 Dec, dominic costa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
wanting to know if we can grow ginger in mildura, we are in victoria and new south wales border. red loamy soil .
Reply
Ginger 16 Mar, Vashti (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Dominic, I grew up in Mildura and it's definitely NOT a sub tropical climate as you've stated in your question. That being said, you can grow ginger in Mildura IF you grow it in pots, in Shade house (preferred from the extreme weather conditions, both heat and cold) AND you keep the water up to it, both the roots AND misted leaves. It ideally prefers a humid climate, Mildura being semi arid isn't ideal, but if you can keep it in a "damp" area you should be fine. I'm growing mind really successfully in Adelaide using the same principles.
Reply
Showing 11101 - 11130 of 20218 comments
Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.