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Pumpkin 20 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): Pumpkins will grow in almost any areas as long as you have at least 5 months of good weather. They can be planted after the last frost (if you get frosts) and don't like being transplanted so plant them in small pots or toilet paper cylinders in early spring in a warm spot or inside to get a head start. If you use cardboard cylinders you can plant them in the ground and let the cylinder rot.
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Asparagus 19 Mar, Tony Bartlett (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Can I grow asparagus down in the cape, near Hermanus. Also where down in that area can I purchase crowns. many thanks
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Asparagus 20 Mar, Ken (Australia - temperate climate): Asparagus is a very hardy plant and you should have no difficulty growing it. Try googling 'Asparagus crowns in South Africa" and you will find a number of suppliers. Asparagus crowns are often available from nurseries, garden centres, hardware stores and online during the winter.
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Onion 18 Mar, irene (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): every i plant onion they dont come out what can i do plss help or tips.
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Onion 21 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Onions are generally fairly easy to germinate. They need to be planted about 3 times their diameter with soil. A good way to do this is to sprinkle the seed over a small area that has been broken up and is very fine then cover with some more fine soil. Keep the soil damp but not wet. When the seedlings emerge they will be very fine like a needle. keep them damp but not wet as they may get fungus problems. A spot that gets some sunshine and a bit of airflow is good. They will take about 4-6 weeks before they are ready to transplant into rows in the garden. They will take about 6 months to be ready to harvest and store (when the tops flop over and start to dry). I hope this helps. Don't hesitate to ask questions, we are here to help.
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Strawberry Plants 18 Mar, Gerald Harris (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Hi I'm staying in witbank mpumalanga South Africa ,im looking for a medium size sweet strawberry, which hibrid can you suggest my cell no 0733736692
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Strawberry Plants 20 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): Log onto noursefarms.com and click on 'strawberries'. They list a range of strawberries and their characteristics that are suitable for South Africa.
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Potato 17 Mar, Likeleli (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): what if i plant potatoes in greenhouse, can they do well in winter?
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Potato 20 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): You should be able to as long as the greenhouse doesn't get too cold in the winter and you have good air circulation to reduce fungal problems. It would be better if you planted some every 2-3 weeks starting in early spring through until early January. Harvest when the tops die off and you should have enough potatoes to last through the winter
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Pumpkin 13 Mar, Gary Williamson (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Try some heritage pumpkins. Seeds on bid or buy or direct from Seeds For Africa or Livingseeds. Remember as much compost as you can use. If possible plant straight into the compost heap. Watch for powdery mildew when night temperatures go down or long wet humid weather prevails. It will knock your plants down in days.
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Potato 09 Mar, ntobeko (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): hi,im ntobeko from portshepstone,i would like to know that"how is it possible to plant a potatoes to grow bigger without any fertilizer or chemicals?
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Potato 09 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): You certainly can grow potatoes without chemical sprays and fertilisers. Potaoes have been grown for hundreds of years without them. The soil needs to be friable or cultivated to at least 200mm (8") deep and have old manure worked into it. Plant the potato pieces about the same depth in the soil then cover. This depth is to reduce the chance of potato moths getting to the tubers to lay eggs. As the potato shoots emerge hill up around the stems with more soil or mulch and keep them watered. Potatoes are generally pest free and rewarding and a few can be scratched out about a month after flowering with the remainder harvested when the tops die off. Store the potatoes inside or in an airy, insect-proof container away from light. All the best with your potato growing!
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Garlic 07 Mar, ivy wambi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): where near I stay can I buy seedlings of garlic I 'am in tembisa (kempton park). am a small holding farmer.
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Garlic 30 Mar, Leonora (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Livingseeds Heirloom Seeds P.O.Box 1421 Henley-on-Klip 1962 Tel: 016 365 3873 or 0731417101 [email protected] Elouise or Sean Give them a call. Very helpful.
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Garlic 08 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): The easiest way to get garlic is to buy it from a green grocer (fruit shop) or nursery and separate the cloves before planting. one garlic bulb will yield 8 - 12 cloves. Seed is often available from seed companies, nurseries or garden centres. Refer to the Vegetables & Herbs guide on this site for more planting information. Happy garlic growing!
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Strawberry Plants 07 Mar, Molefe Mokoene (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Can I grow strawberries on black clay soil? I also have half hectare under roof - ? ps advise
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Strawberry Plants 08 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Strawberries are fairly adaptable plants and grow naturally under trees in Europe. I would suggest that you dig in lots of old, rotted manure, especially cow manure if you can get it now ready for planting when the runners are available in late autumn. If your covered area is clear and there is good ventilation and available water you could grow them under cover. Fruit rotting fungus could be a problem so ensure there is plenty of air circulation or be prepared to spray. Spraying chemicals is less desirable. You could discuss it more specifically with your local Agricultural Department. Trust this helps.
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Horseradish 07 Mar, Sindi Shembe (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): where can I buy horseradish around gating and m also interested in getting a plant to plant it in my garden where can I get it.
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Horseradish 08 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Look on the internet under 'horseradish' plants for sale. Some of the herb nurseries will have it. Alternatively look up garden clubs or Permaculture groups. They might give or swap a piece of root to get you started. All the best.
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Potato 05 Mar, Nixiwaka (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): I stayed in Sweden for a few months and was surprised that they ate raw potato in the salads. So potatoes can be eaten raw.
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Potato 06 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Hello Nixiwaka, yours is a good question! Potatoes can be eaten raw but are safer cooked. Potatoes produce alkaloids which can be toxic. As with other members of the solanum family (tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant, nightshade, etc) most of this is in the stems and leaves. When green patches occur on potatoes it is an indicator that photosynthesis is occuring and these alkaloids are being produced in the tuber. That is why it is important to remove any green part of the potato before cooking and eating them. Raw potato is not easily digested in our gastrointestinal tract and may still be undigested when it gets to the large intestine causing colic cramps or diaorrhea as it ferments. I'll let you decide!
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Ginger 05 Mar, Dolly (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Hi what is the best month to plant ginger in north west brits and where can i get seedlings
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Ginger 07 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Ginger is best planted in the spring as the soil starts to warm up. Just buy an undamaged, unbruised piece of ginger from a fruit shop or market. Refer to the Gardenate planting notes for further information.
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Lettuce 04 Mar, Bev Ayson (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): My lettuce are growing well except The round head is not forming. I have taken a piece of cotton and tied all the outer leaves lightly together and now I see the inside is forming nicely. What am I doing wrong.
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Lettuce 05 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Sorry you're having trouble with your lettuces. Check whether it is the right variety for the time of year. Unsuitable varieties for the time of year will often stay open and go to seed. Lettuces like cooler conditions generally but there are a number of varieties developed for the hotter months. Warer stress can also cause this even if it was in the punnet before purchase. Trust this helps, sorry I can't help you more.
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 28 Feb, caroline (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): i have planted 3 bits of yacon, temps in the western cape in the high 20 s, have planted them in containers as they are sprouting, will hope for the best! jerusalem artichokes grow well in my garden, but they are flowering now
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 16 Jul, Amanda (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Hi Caroline Are you prepared to sell a few plants to us at all? Regards Amanda (Note from Gardenate - we don't promote selling; exchange or gift is our preferred option)
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 05 Mar, caroline (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): thanks for your advice John, I will not let them dry out, I just hope they make enough tuber to resprout in our spring here, having planted them so late!
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 28 Feb, John (Australia - temperate climate): I hope you do well with your yacon. Keep in mind that containers can get very hot on a hot day and also pay attention to watering. A wet, dry, wet, dry situation will reduce your yield. All the best.
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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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