Your comments and tips

08 Jan 17, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)

I have planted dwarf beans in Perth from March - May with success.

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18 Oct 16, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)

Help! Rookie Gardner,some of my broad beans are developing black mould. What is it,and how do I treat it?

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24 Oct 16, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

It could be black sooty mould. Does it look like this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG4GIkK7P4w If so, a spray with a mild natural dishwater mix is the best treatment. The spray will also kill any aphids which are a common cause for the mould, with the honeydew sugars they leave behind. Even a spray with the hose will kill aphids and wash the plants. Good luck with the Fava beans! I have just harvested some planted from dried beans i bought at the local middle eastern supplies.

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29 Jul 16, Gerrie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I am a rookie gardener in Canberra. My winter garden is going well. Silverbeet, kale and cabbages are thriving. Root vegs (radishes and beets) producing too much foliage but not enough root so I'll switch from fertilising with my worm juice and seasol mix and add some potash to reduce the nitrogen part of the NPK ratio. Had good green manure crops (trying to improve the Canberra compacted clay soil). Planted three broadbean (faba) varieties which are still small (20cm) but growing fast. I remembered to add a bit of lime to the soil. Tried a "three sisters" (corn, beans, pumpkins) planting. Planted the corn too late (should have at least a four-week head start on the climbing beans) and got a zero pumpkin crop so I preparing plenty of bee-attracting flowers for my next attempt this spring. BTW I've invested in a cheap large (3.6x1.9m) greenhouse which is now full of small seedlings so that I can get a head start this spring. We have a short growing season here. The greenhouse will change to a shade-house in summer - last summer almost none of our seeds germinated in the harsh Canberra sun. Will keep trying and hopefully learn from my mistakes.

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14 Apr 17, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)

If you want pumpkins to set ,just hand pollinate by picking male flower ,cutting back petals and place in female flower for a few seconds and shake gently .This is the only way I have had success in my garden with pumpkins.

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12 May 16, laurence (Australia - temperate climate)

Re the leaf curl. I planted broad bean from seed, only 12 in a raised bed. All of them came up beautifully but slowly one by one succumbed to lead curl. I read this is actually a disease spread by whitefly.A dose of copper spray should resolve. Will give it a go tomorrow and will post results

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05 May 16, De Wet Burger (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)

I want to start growing red beans ( Adzuki beans ) Do you have any info regarding this?

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03 May 16, Janice Allbutt (Australia - temperate climate)

My two early broadbean plants are growing well, look healthy, but the flowers turn black and die, hence no broadbeans to harvest. What could be the problem, please?

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17 Jun 18, bianca (Australia - temperate climate)

hi there, did you check leaves for any sign of aphid infestation?

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25 Apr 16, Vera (Australia - temperate climate)

H,i to all the ones who are having trouble with growing broad beans maybe its the type of soil that you use , in my garden bed i mix cow manure, garden compost ,, ,vegie compost , i have done this for a long time , and i have no trouble with growing broad beans , last year i plant the seeds and had a lot of beans i had to give some away , i planted a few weeks again the seeds and i have them growing again , Regards Vera,

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