Your comments and tips

29 Feb 16, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi guys, I live near Ipswitch in southeast Queensland I'm new to gardening but I've been reading alot but I'm have trouble finding information on growing carrots and onions for seed, I have ordered heirloom seeds online that i should have soon, I'm aware that carrots and onions are bi-annual not seeding till the second year. I really want more seeds then i will get in the mail as soon as i can. Is it to late for me to grow for seed this late in the season? I'm planning on bagging the flowers just before they open. how long should i leave the bag on for? will I have to shake it to stir up pollen? Thanks in advance.

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26 Mar 16, Irene (Australia - temperate climate)

I have found some of the heirloom seeds don't do well in SE Qld

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16 Feb 16, Peter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Best ph reading of soil for growing carrots please. Having trouble getting carrots to come up? Keep the top of the soil moist (NOT WET!!) until they raise their heads.

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04 Jan 16, Adrian (Australia - temperate climate)

To avoid all the foibles with spreading those tiny carrots seeds, I simply buy Yates Manchester Table seed tape (3 x 2 metre long tapes), mark out 2 metre long shallow trenches 10mm deep (shallow) 20cm apart, place in the three tapes from the seed packet, and cover the tape with as little well mulched loam as possible. This summer I sowed the seed on 24 December so that I would be around to keep the carrot patch moist and the seed all came up in one week. The current light rain this week will further ensure a solid crop. I also spread snail killer to avoid snails feasting on the young seedlings. Snail killer is cheap. I do not thin out the seedlings, as I have found that the seed tape is narrow and gives the seedling sufficient lateral space to develop to healthy thick carrots.

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26 Jan 16, fred (Australia - temperate climate)

Do you also work for Yates? (Gardenate is completely independent. Liz)

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29 Dec 15, Heather Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)

I have recently acquired a 4m x4m plot in a community garden and the soil in quite sandy.I have previously only gardened with clay soil and these soil conditions are a new learning curve for me.What can I do to improve the soil for vegetable growing.

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30 Dec 15, Gregg Miller (Australia - temperate climate)

Heather, I guess you are in a coastal area. The use of seaweed has very successful in this way. My Mum used to gather seaweed from the local beach on the NSW Central Coast. Use the seaweed and along with spent mushroom compost, news paper, straw, other compost from organic matter only. Australian soils are very poor and most need this kind of build up. Local Stores that sell mushrooms will also sell spent compost. You could also try a legume such as peas, these add nitrogen, easy to grow and then turn in. You may also find Complete Australian Gardener book willbe most helpful. Gregg.

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02 Jan 16, Gregg Miller (Australia - temperate climate)

Heather I was wondering how You went. Gregg Miller Sydney

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08 Jan 16, Heather Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)

I have recently acquired a plot in a community garden and as the soil is sandy over limestone, I had every intention of using the No- Dig method of raising the garden beds and building up the layers starting with a wetta soil product with a bentalite clay additive, newspaper,a layer of coarse composted bark chips and then the usual layers of lucerne ,blood and bone, manure ,pea straw, compost etc. I know Perth soils are very sandy and they use this wetta soil product to help retain some moisture...Am I wasting my time trying this. Great idea about the seaweed! Would you have dry it first or do you use it in its fresh state. I have only gardened on biscay clay soils around the Barossa Valley previously so this is a whole new ball game for me. Appreciate you taking the time to reply,Thanks!!

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10 Jan 16, heatherRyan (Australia - temperate climate)

P.S. Sorry the correct spelling of the clay product is bentonite clay and I did a little research about Seaweed and you don't have to wash the salt off it it you only use small amounts of it . I am still awaiting approval for my plot as it has to go before a committee meeting who meet monthly.

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