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Showing 91 - 120 of 1577 comments
Shallots (also Eschalots) 19 Oct, jenny V. (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Have flourishing shallots I bought at a supermarket. Do I wait until their foliage dies before I pull them out or can I use them now, as I want to do? Love shallots.
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Shallots (also Eschalots) 03 Jan, Wayne Jacobsen (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes. Wait till leaves start to die off - March or April. I 'tickle' a few a bit earlier if needed. In December/January, give the clumps a dose of general fertiliser or blood and bone - this boosts the developing bulbs.
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Potato 27 Oct, nial (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
hiw long does it take a potato to grow
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Potato 09 Jan, Stephanie Easthope (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
HI Nial It depends on the variety. You can get 'early' or 'main' crops. Early varieties take about 90 days from planting to harvest, although I find I can get a good crop in just 60 days, but I am in Auckland so the temp may help. Main crops can be 120-190 days depending on the variety. If you do a google search on seed potato varieties, there are some nz websites that have tables showing the different types and how long they take to grow. Steph
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Potato 17 Jan, Sharron (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. Do you ever grow 'early' potatoes late? ie just use them whenever you would like a quick crop of potatoes? And what is your favourite for flavour? I'm growing Arran Banner now. I just got a community garden plot in December and I found a bag for peanuts. They are doing well, planted mid December, but they are forming flowers already. Cheers
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Beans - dwarf (also French beans, Bush beans) 27 Oct, Liz (sent in by David) (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Dani, check www.hbci.com/~wenonah/min-def/beans.htm for mineral deficiencies. Are you using compost or chicken manure which hasn't completely matured? That can cause nitrogen deficiency and yellow leaves.
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Carrot 11 Nov, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Meeghan, Carrots and parsnips will take about 3/4 weeks before you see anything above ground. Carrots look a bit like blades of grass when they start. Tom, there's probably too much fertiliser in your soil. See the comment from Skip (02/11)
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Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash) 02 Dec, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Claire and Adam, The flower heads will drop off pollinated zucchini . Small zucchini rot because they are not pollinated. See earlier answers for info about hand pollination.
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Leeks 30 Dec, Demeter (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Same. I think I planted them too late last summer and now have gone to seed and virtually inedible. Planting more now.
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Marrow 09 Feb, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Mel, harvest will take about 12 - 16 weeks from seed sowing
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Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 11 Feb, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sandra, have a look at this site www.bbc.co.uk/search/sweet_potato
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Beans - dwarf (also French beans, Bush beans) 16 Feb, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Rikkyurk, Water the ground well before sowing the beans, then you can leave them for a few days to germinate. But if the weather is very hot and dry, it might help to water after a day. Have you tried a different variety? Some seem easier than others.
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Shallots (also Eschalots) 01 Mar, Christine (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Grew shallots for the first time this year. Magnificent. I bought a bag cheap from the supermarket because they were sprouting, didn't really know what I was doing but treated as garlic and had 4-6 large bulbs per plant. They were pretty small bulbs originally so will be saving the large bulbs from this years crop and should have up to 12. Give each bulb plenty of room to spread and lots of feed.
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Broad Beans (also Fava bean) 09 Mar, Rob (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
@Lindsay, It's the roots that you plough back into the soil and that provides nitrogen(essential for foliage growth)
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Beetroot (also Beets) 15 Mar, Raj (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Liked your coloure coded time table for planting. Is it possible to replant the bulbs similar to using potatoes to grow fresh plants? Thanks
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Yam/Oca (also Oka) 25 May, john studte (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Stuart.Yes they are the right ones and they grow well.Please contact me on [email protected]
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Beetroot (also Beets) 16 Apr, Anna (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
At my local farmer's market a person sells dried beetroot which is delish. I'd like to use it for cooking preferably biscuits. Anyone seen anything on this plse, or suggestions?
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Brussels sprouts 28 Apr, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Mo, Brussel tops are the leaves from the top of the B Sprout plants. In some places, the whole stem is cut and sold with sprouts and top. A google search shows recipes for using the tops. Spring greens are cabbages which are started just before winter and still small but usable in spring. You might have difficulty growing Brussel sprouts in a sub-tropical area as they prefer cold weather.
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Potato 10 May, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Click on the 'Vegetables and Herbs' tab and you will find sweet potato under S. Individual vegetables only show up on the home page calendar when they are due to be planted.
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Broad Beans (also Fava bean) 25 May, Paul (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How to prevent the plant falling down each other? "it is best to provide some support with posts and stringusing." I think the best way is to choose a proper time to sow. Sow in May or June rather than Mar or April. Because sow in winter, the plant grows slowly. During spring the plant will grow fast and strong that wouldn't fall.
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Broad Beans (also Fava bean) 15 Dec, Scott (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
We top our broad beans and that helps them bush out; besides the fleshy plant tips are great for steaming...I like them better than spinach!
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Broccoli 02 Jun, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Les, I haven't heard of anyone getting sick, but the flavour is not so good when broccoli is about to flower. It is very strong and (to me) unpleasant.
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Pak Choy (also Pak choi) 08 Jun, CC (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Pak Choy usually go to seed whenever there is a seasonal change or sudden change in temperature. It can happen when the weather turns hot from cold or cold from hot, or just a few colder days during spring or summer.
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Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold) 13 Jun, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Andrea, you could try handling like beetroot seeds. i.e. soak some overnight. They will swell a bit and be easier to separate.
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Cauliflower 21 Jun, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Cauliflowers can take 4 to 6 months to grow to a usable size, so hang in there.
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Yam/Oca (also Oka) 21 Jun, John Studte (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Dave.I am in Devonport and i keep mine in the back shed out of direct sunlight and on old rag just to absorb any moisture.I also have the small NZ yams available if any one would like some. [email protected].
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Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers) 30 Jun, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Growing indoors, they will need an even warmth and plenty of light. If they are on a windowsill, watch that they don't get too cold overnight.
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Beetroot (also Beets) 05 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The plants from a nursery are usually ready to plant out but you might need to harden them off a bit first. To do that, put the pots or punnets outside during the day and then put them under cover or close to the house, at night. Do that for about a week. That should help the seedlings adjust to temperature changes.
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Watermelon 09 Jul, Natalie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
If the melon is a non hybrid I don't think you would have any problems. I would buy a melon from an organic grocer, would then hopefully be not a hybrid. Dry the seeds out before planting. Plant where you want it to grow. And cross fingers. Would love to hear if you have any success. I have grown melons from seeds - they just seem to pop up out of the compost. So don't see why it wouldn't work, but you never know.
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Broad Beans (also Fava bean) 18 Jul, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Roger, we just leave all the stems and although they tend to flop around a bit, they all produce plenty of beans.
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Showing 91 - 120 of 1577 comments
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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