Your comments and tips

03 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Try growing on a trellis. An inverted V or even a vertical one. I'm trying a vertical one at the moment. Pumpkins and watermelons take up so much room. Best to decide what you are going to plant and where before you start planting. Give each the required area to produce a good crop.

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21 Aug 17, JC (Australia - tropical climate)

Hi, I've just moved to Cocos Keeling Islands and have heard it is difficult to grow any fruit or veg here. Any advice on what to plant and when, how to improve soil conditions etc. would be appreciated as fresh food options are costly and not reliable. TIA

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24 Aug 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)

This is just a generic answer, not specific to the Cocos Keeling Islands. Any where the soil conditions or climate are considered poor, I would suggest raised garden beds filled with a good soil blend and organic matter. If the soil is unavailable, then a good potting mix (without moisture retention) and organic matter/compost will be fine. Then just grow what you want according to your climate.

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22 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)

Improving soil condition is about adding good soil if possible or adding organic matter - compost, manures, plant residue, grass clippings, veggie scraps etc to the soil and letting it all decompose - could take a few months. As for what to plant ask the locals what grows and what doesn't. I assume it is hot and wet so that rules a lot of things out. Look around and see what grows and have a go.

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02 May 17, Janice Cranford (USA - Zone 9a climate)

Why are my cucumber plants not making a cucumber, only flowers?

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03 May 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Cucumbers often produce male flowers early in the season before they start to produce female (cucumber) flowers. The male flowers have a longer stem and do not have the unformed cucumber at the base of the flower. I'd say, give them a bit more time.

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22 Apr 17, Francesca Lemon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi, I am planning to move to Mount Victoria up in the Blue Mountains and was wondering if cucumber can grow in the cooler climate? Thanks!

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23 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)

You should be able to grow cucumbers successfully at Mt Victoria even with a longer winter as you get hot summers. Plant the seeds indoors in September in egg carton cells ready for transplanting into the garden in October. Plant the carton cell as well, it will rot. You can plant seed up until mid December. Choose a warm spot with good air circulation to reduce mildew problems. Growing them on a trellis is also beneficial.

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29 Mar 17, Grace Douglas (Australia - temperate climate)

Had such wonderful success with cucumbers in the summer of Jan - March. Will cucumbers grow in any other months in Endeavour Hills, Melbourne, Victoria? Question 2. I do not use any chemicals so have you a good idea of how to keep those moths away from Kale? If I put bird mesh over, the moths poke their noses tongues through.

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30 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)

To control cabbage moths and butterflies you could use Yates 'Natures Way' this is a safe organic spray and is harmless to everything except caterpillars. I have also heard of mixing bicarb soda and flour 50/50 and using as a dust. I haven't tried it but others say it works. It wouldn't cost you much to give it a try.

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