All recent comments/discussion

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Showing 1381 - 1410 of 1601 comments
Rhubarb 23 Jun, Jill Selwood (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
My rhubarb has very large leaves and very short stems. How do I get it growing the other way round?
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Rhubarb 04 Sep, Heather Auckram (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
It could be the variety. I grow rhubarb in Southland, where we get winter snows. The variety I grow is Cardinal Crunch. It has short fat stems, rich red in colour and big leaves.
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Rhubarb 08 Sep, Colleen S. Johnson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You don't. Rhubarb can vary greatly from the parent plant if grown from seed. Best to get a division from a plant with the characteristics you want.
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Choko/Chayote (also Chayote squash, christophene, chouchou, mirliton) 11 Jun, Orlando (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I get choko seeds or plant?
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Yacon (also Sunroot) 11 Jun, Catharina (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi! I am Catharina and would like more information on this wonderful yacon plant which I would love to grow in my garden. I live in Putaruru in the South Waikato. We do get some frost but the general climate is mild. I am making an area with lots of organic siledge witch would keep the soil pretty warm and weed free.
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Pumpkin 30 May, (Australia - temperate climate)
I am getting this mould or rust on my vegetables in my garden. It is causing many of the butternuts to die and the spinach to be spoiled. What could I do to prevent this?
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Pumpkin 09 Jan, Gaurav (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
try charcoal ash in your garden to prevent any diseases to the plants..
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Chicory (also Witloof, Belgian endive) 15 Apr, marian seegers (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Please have you any idea where I can buy witloof here in New Zealand (south Island)?
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Horseradish 30 Mar, Kevin McCarthy (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can money be made from growing Horseradish on a small plot? Thanks
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Asparagus Pea (also Winged pea) 24 Mar, Rana hay (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The seed packet indicates they can be seeded in late Summer or early Autumn. I live in Hamilton which I consider to be a cool temperate zone. Can I seed in April? Rana hay
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Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash) 14 Feb, Al (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I started cucumbers and courgette plants at the right time, but both plants have plenty of female flowers - no male flowers 3 months later. Don't tell me I do not know the difference, I am 88 years old and have been growing them since a boy in 1938. I moved to a new home 12 months ago. The pH where they are growing is 6.0. This has me puzzled. Thanks.
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Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash) 18 Jan, Te Pi' (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Sir, I was just reading through the comments further on, and it occured to me that you may have some micro-climates at your new property making things alot cooler/dryer/warmer- outdoor thermometer reads in the area for the day will tell you, and most likely the nutrient balance/microorganisms population is a lot different than your old place...I read somewhere that some squash or pumpkin can change their flowering habits due to a combination of level of nutrients/metals available and plant hormones in the soil, returning to male and female on seperate plants, maybe test the soil for nutrient levels and contaminants if you havent done so already. Is the seed your own or bought? If its not your own seed, you could take it up with the supplier, keep detailed records of these kind of issues and welcome questions about oddities etc, sometimes they purposely breed plants as F1 hybrids so you have to buy more seed to make collecting it not worthwhile
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Tomatillo 07 Feb, damian reddington (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
can I eat my tomatillo raw?, can i eat before they turn purple
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Tomato 25 Dec, rob (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
have you had any experience with siberrian tomatoes?
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Tomato 01 Feb, Karen (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I live on the North Shore, Auckland and have done container growing for several years now, This is the third year of growing tomatoes on a large scale - predominantly determinate varieties. I source my seeds from Kings Seeds who supply a determinate variety called Sub Arctic Plenty which I have experimented with variable results. All plants raised indoors, gently hardened off then potted out into 15L tubs. I use 50/50 new compost/previously used container soil from a non-tomato pot mixed well with added slow release fertiliser and half a cup of powdered eggshell.. The top is mulched with straw and 4 marigolds to attract the bees. They also need a 5ft stake. Generally the plants like the morning and late sun and need shade from the glaring hot midday temperatures. Each year I am growing them earlier to avoid the heat of summer. The pots on the decking facing North fully exposed struggled, the pots that were shaded midday grew much better. Next year I plan to plant out in July/August and see how they get on then. They have a mild taste, personally I prefer the richer flavours of the dark toms but they are good for dehydrating. I also found that they prefer dryer soil than some of my other varieties. I liquid feed them once a week using a litre of water. Don't let them stand in trays, they need full drainage. Any run off from the trays I use on something else (the pineapple sage is very grateful). Spay every part of the plant with a brew of bicarsoda to pre-empt and control powdery mildew weekly. Please let me know if you want any other info - happy to share. Let me know how you get on.
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Tomato 15 May, Derek (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. Thanks for the info which was informative. I tried last year to grow tomatoes and failed miserably. The bottom of the fruit was black and I have been advised this was overwatering and lack of calcium. They were in 15L pots outside and exposed to a fairly windy area. This year I have a geeenhouse and a bit more knowledge thanks to the likes of you:). I am just deciding what to grow in the greenhouse and in my small vege patch but definately have tomatoes on the list a bit later in the year, although I might try growing some now and keep in the greenhouse. Appreciate your comments and advice thanks. I live in Somerville near Howick. Cheers Derek
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Tomato 23 Nov, Lee (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Your Blossom end rot could be caused by the small pot. Try a 30L minimum for a tomato of up to 1m, and 50L+ tubs for anything taller. The problem in Northern NZ (Auckland upwards) in the intense heat, humidity, and constant winds on clear days that dry the soil. The soil seesaws from dry to wet, with us trying to compensate the loss three times a day, in small pots. You'll get excellent plants, but blossom end rot, and no useful fruit. I buy seeds from Southern suppliers who have clearly defined seasons in their districts. Here in West Auckland, the sun mid-spring onward is almost too strong for tomatoes (as noted in the comment from The Shore above), and the humidity is oppressive. They are part shade plants here, and 30L is absolute minimum for varieties that suppliers claim can be grown in 18L, or less. This year I'm using no less than 54L each plant, plus grass clipping mulch. So far so good. It's the only way to maintain soil a consistent moisture.
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Rhubarb 16 Dec, Bridget Baynham (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can rhubarb be grown in a large pot?
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Rhubarb 08 Sep, Colleen S. Johnson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
It will grow well in a large pot. Remember it is a gross feeder and likes plenty of fertiliser.
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Tomatillo 07 Dec, val (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
where can I buy Physalis Alkekengi seeds in New Zealand? cheers Val B.
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Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold) 04 Dec, JANE HOWWARD (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is Silverbeet the same as collard greens?
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Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold) 20 Sep, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Silverbeet is a bit different. Collards are a brassica
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Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 30 Nov, Dennis patuwairua (New Zealand - temperate climate)
where can I purchase okra plants in New Zealand
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Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 23 Dec, Lee (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Usually I find plants at local markets, otherwise have to start from seed. Yates, Kings and Egmont have okra seeds of various types. The last lot of plants I bought were from a grower in Rama Rama, which is considerably further south than here, but much flatter and further from the sea so their climate can be quite dry and hot. I've never seen okra sold as plants or seedlings at generic garden centres. This may be because I live in urban Auckland and the weather is borderline for growing okra - first sign of coldness and they halt and sometimes never start growing again. Humid conditions can also attract powdery mildew here.
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Pumpkin 18 Nov, Janet (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Do you know where I can get triamble pumpkin seeds from. I haven't seen them since koanga gardens had them.
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 10 Nov, Torben Tilly (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can one buy Purple Corn seed in New Zealand?
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 21 Aug, Philip Lim (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have some purple corn seed if you are looking for some. Let me know your address and i will post some to you.
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Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry ) 06 Nov, aaron (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
hav been growing cape gooseberry plants for years now in Bluff.cold as it may be at times in the deep south, grown indoors or in a sheltered patio pot these plants can thrive here.one neglected specimen in the corner of my hot house grew to the roof,over 7ft. tip cuttings or lateral cuttings can root in a glass of water or pushed into moist soil.I found 6 to 8 cuttings planted in a circle about the diametre of a bucket results in a great sized bush in its second year.i also had a single stemed plant that i tied to the frame of a tunnel house and trained for a entire growing season pinching out all latteral growth the resulting frame burst out prolificly the following year..dried seeds sprinkled throughout the garden germinated prolificly and can esily be transplanted.Hard cutting back at the end of the fruiting season seems only to encourage better growth next year.Great plant to give away to friends also good plant indoor for kids.If i can grow it in windy cold old bluff ANY ONE CAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.tip,berries are awsome on top of pavalova instead of kiwfruit or strawberrys.
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Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash) 11 Oct, Raj (Australia - temperate climate)
how to prevent zucchini starts to turn yellow/orange. wat is the problem if the fruit is not the normal shape .
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Sage (also Common Sage) 02 Oct, Bill (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi my sage I planted last year is now growing buds/flowers ...should I pinch them off to encourage the plant or leave it alone? cheers
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Showing 1381 - 1410 of 1601 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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