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Showing 1021 - 1050 of 2216 comments

Ginger 23 May, Chris (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): Hi, have a look at the colour pink is good. Dynamite comes in small packages. Hope that is the case, busy with pickled ginger , have become addicted addicted addicted addicted.
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Ginger 15 May, John (Australia - temperate climate): Adding lots of old, rotted manure and mulch will help. The manure will provide nutrients and the mulch will help save water. Ginger also needs a good supply of water to ensure good, plump roots.
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Potato 15 May, Harare (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): I'm in eastern cape (engcobo) how much watering does potatoes need for a favourable harvest,and what time must I plant?
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Potato 15 May, John (Australia - temperate climate): To produce good potatoes the plants need a consistent supply of water. In dry soils the potatoes will still form but will be small. Mulch can be used to save water. If the plants are wet then dry then wet again you will get irregular growth and knobbly potatoes with likely hollows inside them.
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Spinach (also English spinach) 12 May, Roelene (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Wich tipe / tipes of herbs can we use to keep insects out of my vegetable gardens?
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Spinach (also English spinach) 14 May, Darren (Australia - temperate climate): What type of insects are you wanting to keep out? Remember, not all insects are harmful to your veggie patch. Mint, dill, and sage are all good at repelling the cabbage moth from your brassicas. Basil, chamomile, and lavender repel flies and mosquitoes. There are many other examples.
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Mizuna (also Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna) 12 May, thami (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): what the health benefits of eating the mizuna and does it retain nutrients in the soil or help the soil in any how??
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Mizuna (also Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna) 15 May, (Australia - temperate climate): Mizuna is high in vitamin C, folate and iron and contains a good supply of anti-oxidants. I don't know of any benefits to the soil other than help break up soil, which all plants do, and adding bulk by digging in the trash.
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Onion 07 May, jimmy (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): may sell them while they're still green?
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Onion 07 May, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hello Jimmy, We need a bit more information. Do you want to sell the onions while they are small or when they are larger, before the tops die down. You can sell or eat onions at any stage but if the tops have not died down they will not keep very long.
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 30 Apr, zaakirah cassim (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): What season does the mealies get harvested in South Africa
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 02 May, John (Australia - temperate climate): You would normally harvest mealies when the stalks and leaves have dried off. This would generally be in May but seasons do vary. If you harvest them before they are properly dry they may be susceptible to mould. Store your mealies in a dry, airy place.
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Cabbage 24 Apr, Hans Kaderli (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Is it possible to plant cabbage on cabbage if you have a good pest and desease programme in place. This is for large scale 6ha..
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Cabbage 25 Apr, John (Australia - temperate climate): It is not a good idea to replant cabbages in the same soil that you have just harvested cabbages from. The risk from soil-borne diseases and nutrient deficiencies would be the main problem. You would also be creating a continuous feast for insect pests. You would be better to have at least another crop in between, say pumpkins for autumn harvest, then replant cabbages after manuring the soil. This would reduce the insect pest problem as you would be growing them in the cooler months when there are not as many insects about. Zucchinis/courgettes would be another high yielding crop you could grow.
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Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 24 Apr, itayi shumba (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): is it safe to grow okra in may june july months. how productive can the plants be in the winter months, not too much frost in my area
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Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 25 Apr, John (Australia - temperate climate): They may be perennial but it would be better to treat them as an annual and replant them each spring. This would also give you young, vigorous plants.
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Garlic 24 Apr, Kobus (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): I'm a blind person and want to plant garlic. I'm looking for as much info as possible on the cultivation of garlic, but it looks like I'm at a dead-end. I found an address on the web, but they just don't answer my mails. Where can I get information please?
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Garlic 15 May, Romy (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Probeer [email protected] tel0832273447
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Garlic 25 Apr, John (Australia - temperate climate): Garlic is not hard to grow. Get someone to read the information on garlic growing on this site. Click on 'vegetables & herbs and select 'garlic'. You can buy garlic cloves from fruit shops and nurseries at this time of the year. Make sure it is not imported as some imported garlic carries disease. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any more questions, we are here to help.
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Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock)) 23 Apr, Simon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Where can I buy Burdock plants or seeds in South Africa. Alternaively_ where can I buy Seeds overseas?
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Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock)) 24 Apr, John (Australia - temperate climate): I found some on bidorbuy.co.za . search them and enter 'burdock seeds'. All the best
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Onion 22 Apr, Keikantseng (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): I an staying in Taunton village in North west province. Can I plant onion in April?
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Onion 23 Apr, John (Australia - temperate climate): Yes you can. Long Keeping varieties can be sown now.
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Garlic 21 Apr, Pillet (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Can I get Garlic seedlings service provider in KZN .
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Garlic 30 Apr, John (Australia - temperate climate): Look online. www.seedsforafrica.co.za list garlic. There are sure to be others as well.
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Garlic 21 Apr, Petros (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): I want to start a small garlic farm . I'm staying at Highflats near IXOPO . My question is how long does it takes to be ready for market Second question my area is suitable to plant garlic? Thanks Petros. Please note - Gardenate is NOT intended for Farming questions. (Ed:)
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Garlic 30 Apr, John (Australia - temperate climate): I would advise you to discuss your plan with your Agriculture Department (Government). They will have a better understanding of suitable varieties and also how to grow them in your area. Look them up on the internet.
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Sunflower 20 Apr, Debbie (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Want to grow sunflowers. I am in Malmesbury in the western cape. When is the best time to grow them. I have awefull clay soil so that i need to sort 1st.
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Sunflower 21 Apr, John (Australia - temperate climate): Looking at the climate for Malmesbury in Western Cape you seem to have fairly mild winters. wait until after any frosts are over then plant your seed. If you have heavy clay soil try and break it up a bit by adding gypsum. I would try and work in about 2kg per square metre. You could also plant field peas or lupins to help break up the soil. These can be forked in when they are flowering. If your soil is really degraded this should help. Alternatively plant some of the shorter varieties that only grow from knee to waist high. Sunflowers are quite tough and respond well to good watering. Trust this helps.
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Tomatillo 17 Apr, Judy Badenhorst (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): Are Tomatillo plants perennial like the Cape Gooseberry? do they need cutting back? Many thanks Judy I have grown many tree tomatoes from seed having chosen the really rip fruit with dark red brown seeds.
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