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Strawberry Plants 26 Apr, Mardi (Australia - temperate climate): Hi Di, I think the Strawberries you had are called Alpine Strawberries they do not have runners and are very sweet. I have just sown some seeds (Yates) which I bought on the internet but pretty sure Bunnings have them. I just have to hope they will germinate.
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Strawberry Plants 20 Mar, Ken (Australia - temperate climate): The Diggers Club on the Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne list a non-running variety called 'Temptation'. This may be the one you are looking for.
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Garlic 17 Mar, Dianne (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi I have tried growing garlic a couple of times now. Generally I plant on the 23 March and harvest 23 June. First few times garlic was small except for a couple decent sized ones. Last year, I ended up with one large bulb only, on each plant; almost like a small onion. What would cause this to happen?
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Garlic 19 Mar, Verena (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi Dianne I am in a sub tropical area too and I plant late April/May and harvest in November when leaves start to die down. Perhaps you are harvesting to early?
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Ginger 17 Mar, Nikki (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi, I have just bought a ginger plant and was wondering if I should plant it now or wait until spring? Any special treatment I should give it over winter? I suspect it is to small to harvest
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Ginger 17 Mar, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate): If your area is frost-free you could plant it but ensure drainage is good as it may rot in the colder soil. As ginger will be dormant over winter you may be better to save it for spring planting.
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Ginger 17 Mar, Nikki (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Forgot to mention I live in Perth
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Ginger 19 Mar, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate): Should be able to plant ginger then. Perth drainage is good (sandy soil). The risk of rotting very low.
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Strawberry Plants 15 Mar, Osone Layer (Australia - temperate climate): When is the time for buying strawberries
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Strawberry Plants 15 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): Strawberry plants are normally available from late autumn through winter from nurseries, garden centres, bigger hardware stores, etc. They come bare rooted or packed in damp sawdust in a plastic bag.
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Asparagus 15 Mar, Mike (Australia - temperate climate): Keep the seeds in a cool dry place. I kept watering my asparagus all the way into July last year - spears kept coming up. When I did cut them in August, new spears appeared in week or so. I gave my 3 plants a big hair cut a week ago. I have 4 x 6' posts at the corners of the garden bed and cord running around the post to support the ferns. The ferns grow to 6-8' high. I only cut spears for 1 month last year (2 yr old plant). In hindsight I could have cut them for another 4-6 weeks. The crowns are now about 15" in diameter (2.5 yrs old now). The little seedlings I planted out in Sept are still growing - the shade cloth cover did the trick. The last 2.5 mths have seen the temp in the 32-34 degree area (3 d above average). Have grown quite well in this rather hot weather. Looking forward to August - November to having a great feed off them.
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Asparagus 15 May, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): All my asparagus grew really well in April especially the new little plants (6) from seed planted Sept last year. Although I keep trimming the older plants back they just keep growing - the warm weather - 26 C here today and nights 14-16 C. Looks like another warm winter coming.
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Leeks 15 Mar, Nicki (Australia - temperate climate): Can leeks be grown together with lettuce and spinach?
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Leeks 15 Mar, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate): I don't know of any reason why not. It really amounts to the quality of the soil but 'stacking' plants is a good way to increase yield in a given space. The lettuce and spinach would be long harvested by the time the leeks are ready. You could also plant radishes as they only take about 4 weeks to harvest. I probably wouldn't plant other members of the onion fmily like this as they are susceptible to fungal problems and need an open spot with good air circulation.
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Lettuce 15 Mar, Nicki (Australia - temperate climate): Can spinach and lettuce be grown in the same bed together?
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Carrot 15 Mar, Joel (Australia - temperate climate): Tip: Carrots are best grown in sandy soil and work best in pots
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Ginger 14 Mar, Amber Caruso (USA - Zone 5a climate): I live in Dubuque Iowa. Can I grow ginger? Plant in the spring if so?
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Ginger 15 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): I have read of people growing ginger in Nebraska so you could give it a go. Ideally you need summer temperature of around 80 degrees F and a growing season of 5-6 months to be successful. you could simulate this by growing it in a large tub behind a sunny window then move it outside when the days are longer and warmer. A tunnel house or hothouse would also work. if you can fulfil these basic requirements 'go for it', that's what gardeners are about!
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Potato 14 Mar, Sam (Australia - temperate climate): Hi my potatoes are growing seed pods - like little green cherry tomatoes I've heard the seeds from these grow "True Potato" plants? Is this true & do I want to try grow them..?? Thanks, Sam
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Potato 15 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): The small fruit or seed potatoes contain proper seed and varieties and hybrids are grown this way. We normally use small potatoes as seed because it is more convenient and quicker. But don't hesitate to take on the challenge if you like. I don't know whether you would get potatoes of any size in a season.
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Pumpkin 14 Mar, Paul Tracey (Australia - temperate climate): I see from the Gardenate planting guide that the planting time for pumpkins is September to December. I purchased butternut pumpkin seedlings from Bunnings in February. Is the selling of such seedlings out of step with the recommended planting season unethical? The seedlings have grown and there are currently 3 pumpkins visible. I am concerned that by planting them outside the recommended period they will not mature to completion.
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Pumpkin 21 Apr, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi there, depending where you live I read on an abc gardening page in a sub tropical environment that pumpkins could be grown throughout the year .I put mine in late decmber and they are simply powering along with many fruit now softball size .I hope this helps.
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Pumpkin 15 Mar, John (Australia - temperate climate): Pumpkins are best planted when soil temperatures have reached 15-17 degrees C. This varies between climate zones, Australia is a large country. A soil thermometer is aa good investment to check this. They usually cost around $20.00. If you plant seedlings in February you would need to have about 4 frost-free months to harvest. As for ethics many companies sell what looks good or what people want. Tomato plants are available in Victoria as early as July. They will not do well until mid to late October when the soil has warmed up and many will die. This suits the seedling growers as they will sell more plants as replacements. Having said that if you have a sheltered spot you could get tomatoes going earlier. The best thing to do is to check the planting times on this site relevant to your area and don't be tempted by what's on offer.
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Potato 14 Mar, Kerrieanne (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hello and thanks in advance for your advice. I live just north of Gympie Qld and our area has just been declared in drought. I've never grown potatoes before so an a novice. I've just purchased some seed potatoes and am wanting information on how to plant them and when. I'm thinking maybe in an old iron bathtub or garbage bins. Thanks again Kerrieanne
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Potato 15 Mar, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate): The containers you suggested would be ideal. If you are using a bath take the plug fitting out, to improve drainage, and put a layer of stones or crushed rock like (railway ballast) in the bottom to improve drainage. Cover this layer with old jeans, newspaper or cardboard. this will help hold water and stop sediment from blocking the drainage. Add a layer of potting mix or growing medium and then a layer of old manure or blood & bone. Cover this with more mix and thenspace your seed potatoes out. Cover them with mix and give them a water. When the shoots emerge keep adding mix. Potatoes form on the stems not the roots. As with all plants growing in containers ensure thet they are in a position where the container will not get too hot as the roots will 'cook'. Attention to water is also important, mulching will help.
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Rhubarb 14 Mar, Joanne (Australia - temperate climate): Hello, Is Rhubarb available all year round in Australia? I'm from Britain and our climate is pretty "simpler" (lack of a better word) when it comes to planting and harvesting. But I see in Australia the climate varies and i guess so does harvesting time?
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Rhubarb 15 Mar, Jack (Australia - temperate climate): Rhubarb is generally available all year round from nurseries, garden centres hardware stores like Bunnings and is also often available from community or farmers markets. Most plants available are seedlings and stem colour can be vary from green through to deep red. This doesn't affect the flavour, only the appearance. Add a few drops of cochineal (a natural red colouring) to improve the appearance. Roots are sometimes available in the winter. Check the places mentioned during winter.
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Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 13 Mar, Anton Morrison (Australia - temperate climate): I have grown cape gooseberry from seeds and have just recently started repotting them. With some of the plants there are obviously more than one plant in them. Should I cut back all but the smallest or will they just carry on regardless? Thanks in advance. A.
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Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 14 Mar, Ken (Australia - temperate climate): Normally you would select the strongest plant and cut off or remove the others. This would give the remaining plant the best chance of developing. Cape gooseberies are frost tender and are normally treated as an annual but will cary over in areas with mild winters. You could pot them on and keep them in a protected area until the spring before planting out if you need to.
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Jerusalem Artichokes (also Sunchoke) 12 Mar, Garry Chellew (Australia - temperate climate): Where can you purchase seed stock tubers
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