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Showing 1501 - 1530 of 13734 comments
Pumpkin 05 May, Clive (Australia - temperate climate)
Depends how progressed they are. Vine die back only happens at the end of the vine life. I pick many Japs well before the vine dies, with other later pollinated pumpkins still growing. Excess moisture does not only create rot, but also splitting. If the pumpkins are getting yellow, ghosting, coloring around the stem base they could also split from over watering, so pick them. If they are still young leave them. I picked several Japs this morning, one was 7.2kg and it was only 31 days from pollination. (Central QLD)
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 04 May, Ian Fuller (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, My French friend says he has not had rockmelons as tasty as he had back in France. He is in the food industry. Do they generally grow a different variety there and if so, is that variety available to grow (or perhaps buy) in Australia? We live in Sydney. He is such a nice guy that I would love to surprise him with a solution - perhaps some seeds of that variety. Thank you, Regards, Ian
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 05 May, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to a seed selling website Eden, Boondie, Seed Collection etc and ask him which if any look like the ones he had in France.
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Rockmelon (also Canteloupe) 05 May, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you go on the internet and type 25 different melons you will see a website with 25 different melons from around the world. All different kinds and shapes. The melons grown in Australia today are far inferior to melons grown 20-30-40 years ago. Melons today have been breed for size, hardness for transport and shelf live in shops. ALL ABOUT WHAT THE SUPERMARKETS WANT. If you want to grow some try Hales Best. Grow in the spring.
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Rhubarb 03 May, Pat Collins (Australia - temperate climate)
I belong to a community garden and we have been using lots of fresh horse manure to feed our rhubarb and other plants. Last year our rhubarb seemed to get very weak and then developed root rot. Would this be due to the manure being too acid? our soil is quite clayey.
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Rhubarb 05 May, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Manures need to break down into compost before applying to the soil and then mixed into the soil. Manures are a great soil condition builder. Puts fibre back into the soil and opens it up to heat, light, water draining easily etc. Or you could put the fresh manure in a big tub/bin/drum and top up with water, after a week or two you could drain off the liquid and apply that. Stir the water/manure while it is soaking. Better to apply compost or broken down manures.
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Pumpkin 02 May, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Gramma pumpkin. When is the best time to pick? When fully orange and dusty. Is it ripe when green and dusty looking?
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Pumpkin 05 May, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
About 20 weeks or so after planting. The vine will be dying back, the stem from the pumpkin to the vine will be hard and dry. When you think it is ready try one, if a pale colour then you picked too early.
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Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean) 02 May, Linda (Australia - tropical climate)
I have been harvesting my winged beans at various sizes, and the plant here just out of Darwin has fruited profusely. Unfortunately tho I have not enjoyed them so I have pulled them up to make way for the Borraloolla bean?
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Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean) 01 Aug, Michael D Cowen (Australia - tropical climate)
Lived Borrolloola for over 2 years and never heard of the Borrolloola pea (heard about a unique cycad from the Loo). Would be interested in trying a Borralloola pea. Do you know where can I get seeds? I live in Wagait Beach
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Shallots (also Eschalots) 30 Apr, Mike Goodson (Australia - tropical climate)
The Philippines sebuyas tagolog successfully produces small clumping onions in the tropics. I have grown them in PNG.and used them as an onion substitute. Is there a source of planting material in Australia. I live in Cairns
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Shallots (also Eschalots) 01 May, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What I call shallots and grow are similar to these. I looked them up on the internet and mine are similar to a photo that shows a couple of purple bulbs with green leaves. I plant 3 bulbs together and when they grow I end up with 12-15 stalks. I eat them when they are like spring onions. If you let them go they will form bulbs. Keep some bulbs from one year for the next year. I could send you some. email [email protected]
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Pumpkin 29 Apr, Nicole (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in NW NSW, possible frosty weather is coming this weekend. Can I cover the pumpkins with something to protect them till they are ready for harvest? Thanks
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Pumpkin 30 Apr, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can only give it a try. Take it off during the day though.
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Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 28 Apr, Egmo (Australia - temperate climate)
Why do the young fruit fall off the capsicum bush ?
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Celery 28 Apr, beverley Mcdowell (Australia - temperate climate)
Germinating celery seed, growing from seed this autumn. Soaked the seed overnight and then spread on damp paper towel and place in seed raising mix, covering very lightly with the mix. Result, I used the entire packet of seed and I think they all germinated. 4 weeks on I have 36 of the strongest seedlings growing on in pots.
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Celery 06 Sep, Graeme (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Beverley, I want to try your method, & I’ve never grown celery before. A question please, do you leave the paper towel there or do you remove it at some stage ? Many thanks, Graeme
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Celery 29 Apr, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for that idea. I'm trying this year. Planted into 6 cell tray, way too thick. I'm going to try and separate them this afternoon into bigger pots. Will try your way next time.
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Potato 27 Apr, Marg (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have some organic potatoes that are starting to shoot quite a lot, I cut them in pieces was about to plant them in containers,but now have heard they should be planted at the end of winter. What can I do? Store them, throw them or give them a go? Marg
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Potato 28 Apr, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you live in an area with no frosts I would plant them. Leave them out of the ground for 3-4 days to let the cut edge dry up a bit. Plant them then water and don't water again until they shoot.
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Rhubarb 27 Apr, Chris Calvert (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Our plants were from an earlier patch that was at least 50 years old. We have had them for about 3 years and are harvesting them almost all year. They slow down a bit in winter but we still get feeds off them then. They now get tons of manure and pellets with mulch over the coldest part of the year and they are grown in a substantial raised bed with frequent watering (not sure the watering is required as frequently but we do it when the leaves wilt a bit). The raised garden is still settling so I am hoping the watering can slow down a bit as the soil compacts and retains more of the water.
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Watermelon 26 Apr, Phillip Bellis (Australia - tropical climate)
We are having a watermelon growing comp. at a school just out of Darwin. Seedlings are just a week old in pots. When would be the best time/age of seedlings to transplant. Weather is warm at 32-35 C and dry but being watered 2x a day. Thanks
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Watermelon 27 Apr, Another gardener (Australia - tropical climate)
The leaves that come out on germination are called the cotyledons, then come the first true leaves. When you have the 3-4 set of true leaves transplant them. I grow things in 500gm margarine containers, when the seedlings have grown to the above stage (like about 100mm high and round) the soil in the container has lots of roots in it to hold the soil together when you take the plant out to transplant, try and keep that all in tact. Best to tip upside down into one hand gently. Don't over do the nitrogen - you will end up with a lot of vine.
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Garlic 26 Apr, David G (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there We're in Sydney, which is officially sub-tropical. Should I plant garlic now, or wait until late May/June? Thanks David
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Garlic 29 Jan, Paul Pryde (Australia - temperate climate)
Plant on the shortest day of the year that`s June harvest longest day of the year
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Garlic 27 Apr, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The planting guide says May to July. It looks like it is going to turn cold this weekend, time to plant I think. I have never grown it. They say plant around the shortest day of the year and harvest the longest - sunlight hours that is. Some people say that isn't true.
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Garlic 02 May, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted early last year and lost most of my crop early on because it was too hot. This year I planted mid April and apart from having to shade the crop a couple of days the temperature is perfect. The crop is looking great and growing fast. I'd be thinking you may need to experiment as well as hope nature doesn't decide to play games with the seasons. You might next year consider staggering 2 bulbs every 2 weeks for say 6 weeks and recording the results. That way the following year you should nail it. Good luck and keep trying. Determined gardeners eventually find the sweet spot.
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Garlic 05 May, M (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was going to suggest staggering the planting over a few weeks. Seasons can vary from year to year so much. The year before last it didn't turn to cool/cold weather until well into July here. Last week we had night temps (6.7 and 7.9) within 2-3 degree of our normal coldest winter temps.
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Broccoli 25 Apr, Jos (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What is the name of the broccoli with a tight head please We live just north of Auckland.
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Broccoli 27 Apr, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I suggest you look on an internet seed selling site and look through the different varieties. Try Eden seeds or Boondie seeds (in Australia) or look up NZ websites.
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Showing 1501 - 1530 of 13734 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. Gardenate 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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