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Showing 1 - 30 of 1602 comments
Cauliflower 12 Jan, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The cauliflower curd is edible if it is slightly yellowed. It will have a stronger flavour, not always acceptable. Sunlight causes discolouration and this is worse in warmer climates.
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Cauliflower 01 Jun, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Annie, the curd keeps growing for quite a while but it is best picked while still white and firm. Each plant will grow at a different rate so they won't all be ready together.
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Cauliflower 21 Jun, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Michael, I don't know which climate area you are in, but you can still plant out cauliflower seedlings during colder weather. In tubs, protected from frost they should grow well. They will spread their leaves to about 1 1/2 x 2 feet (40x60cm),bigger leaves mean better sized curds.
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Peas 02 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Wayne, the critical factor about frost is whether the ground is frozen. If not, you can plant and use frost cloth or even newspaper to keep your plants warm at night. Sunshine will damage the plant cells if they heat too quickly from frosting.
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Cauliflower 11 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Michael, to get a good size curd from each plant, you will probably only fit three plants at the most in each tub. Cauliflower like plenty of organic matter and some lime to reduce soil acidity. They are fairly slow growing and do not like hot weather. Make sure the tubs do not dry out.
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Cauliflower 11 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi K Harrison, It is difficult to say what is wrong without seeing your plants. One possibility is frost damage. Can you take a piece of a damaged plant into your local nursery? They may be able to look up in some reference books for you.
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Eggplant (also Aubergine) 14 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Jan, Eggplants should do well in your area. Remember to keep them well watered, drying out stops growth and flower production. They may need staking, depending on variety.
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Turnip 28 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Nikki, about 20 cm apart would be good spacing.
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Cabbage 28 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Nikki, plant your cabbages out when they have developed past the first two leaves and are looking a bit sturdy: about 8-10cm tall. Good luck with your gardening.
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Shallots (also Eschalots) 28 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
DavidH, shallots take about 2 weeks to germinate, so you probably won't see anything for another week or so.
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Shallots (also Eschalots) 29 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
RayS, allium cepa but the growing conditions are similar for both a.cepa and a.fistulosum.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 03 Aug, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Rebecca, in a temperate zone you can only expect capsicums to be annuals. Remove the plants as they die down and grow new ones for next summer.
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Radish 07 Aug, amy maloney (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
tips for growing radishes?
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Asparagus 10 Aug, Andrew (New Zealand - temperate climate)
how and where do i get a packets of asparagus seed or seedlings
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Asparagus 06 Feb, Teia (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Andrew. I bought my first packet of 5 one year old Asparagus crowns from Mitre 10 in Hastings in 2 Sep 2016. I bought another packet of 5 crowns from The Warehouse in Hastings on 25 August 2017. I planted and fed them in accordance with the instructions on the packets and have had my first feed of Asparagus on 21 Sep 2018 (from the 2016 plants). My husband and 2 children then had their first feed on 15 Oct 2018. We harvested our asparagus until 21 Nov 2018 and then let them go to fern. We did not touch the 2017 plants at all but will be able to eat them in spring 2019 until early November and also be able to eat as much as we can from our 2016 plants with continued harvest through to the middle or end of December at least.
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Asparagus 13 Aug, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Andrew, you could try Kings Seeds www.kingsseeds.co.nz/ (for seeds) or any good garden shop for asparagus crowns.
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Rocket (also Arugula/Rucola) 16 Aug, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes, Jenni, you can cut a few leaves of rocket as you need them. You will find that once it flowers, you will need to replace it. You are right about celery but broccoli will send up some side shoots after you cut the main one out and extend the harvest time.
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Tomato 24 Aug, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Gareth, you can use chook poo but it is very strong and can damage plants if used fresh. Make a 'tea' with it by putting in a bucket of water and leaving it for a few weeks or else use chook poo mixed with compost and broken down.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 28 Aug, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Diane, you will be able grow capsicums if you start them early under cover so that they have a long growing time.
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Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 03 Sep, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Julie, chillies will do better in full sun
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Potato 16 Sep, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Steve, it would be best if you use the manure in making compost. It has a high nitrogen content which can damage plants if used direct.
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Broccoli 16 Sep, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Alex, Cut it across the stem just above the first leaves. The plant will then send out side shoots.
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Broccoli 16 Sep, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Jen, you will be able to collect seeds but if you have planted F1 hybrid seedlings they may not reproduce.
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Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash) 18 Sep, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Lisa, zucchini/courgettes behave like that when they are not fertilised. You could try using a soft paintbrush to do it by hand.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 21 Sep, Lucy Dobinson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
do capsicum plants grow well in big pots? Because I have just planted some seedlings in a big pot, and I am wondering if they will still produce fruit.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 18 Feb, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You can grow Capsicum in pots quite successfully, keep the soil moist not too wet and feed with nitrogenous fertilizer when fruit are starting to set Tom in Hawkes Bay
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Broccoli 23 Sep, Ben (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I am new to planting broccoli and have recently cut the main head off one of the broccoli plants. I have several side shoots off the same plant, do they get as big as the main head?. The reason i ask is i dont want to leave them too long and let them go to flower.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 15 Oct, lucy Dobinson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
can you grow capsicums with courgette?
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 19 Oct, lucy (New Zealand - temperate climate)
thanks, i will plant the courgettes in my vege garden.
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Garlic 29 Oct, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Jesse, you should get one head (or bulb) of garlic from each plant. The bulb will contain a number of cloves. Some varieties produce more cloves than others.
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Showing 1 - 30 of 1602 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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