Food Growing Questions and Answers

Yacon 5 Replies

Does anyone know how to get in touch with 'Yacon NZ'.? The website has not been updated since 2004 and a letter I sent to an address I got out of Growing Today has come back labelled Gone, left no ...

Started by Kristine Amon. Last reply by Kristine Amon 23 minutes ago.

Sealing Wine Barrels before filling them with Soil.

What is the best way to seal wine barrels before filling them with soil? We want to plant small citrus trees and have heard that if you don't seal the barrels first the bottoms may rot and we won'...

Started by Pete Russell 56 minutes ago.

Chickpeas 4 Replies

I have just been successful in germinating some chickpea seedlings and wondered if anyone had experience and advice on what growing conditions they like? We live in West Auckland, and I will be gro...

Started by Diane Greenwood. Last reply by Diane Greenwood 3 hours ago.

Black English Mulberry

Hi All, I have just bought a Black English Mulberry tree and am trying to workout where to plant it. Is anyone able to tell me how invasive the roots of the tree are and or how far they travel? I b...

Tagged: Mulberry, English, Black

Started by Caroline Gill 10 hours ago.

tomato seed saving? 2 Replies

Hi, can anyone tell me how to save tomato seeds?

Started by cushie. Last reply by cushie 17 hours ago.

organic remedy for leaf curl? 4 Replies

I have a lovely golden queen peach that has always had a little bit of leaf curl, but this year it is much worse. It has set a lovely drop of fruit and I don't want to lose them. Shall I simply ign...

Started by Denise. Last reply by Katherine Lucas 19 hours ago.

Storing potatoes 7 Replies

My first crop of potatoes are ready for the picking. What is the best way of storing these beauties? In the past I've put my potatoes in a box in the shed but they almost always goes rotten or star...

Started by Jeffie. Last reply by Katherine Lucas 19 hours ago.

Fertiliser for strawberry plants 3 Replies

Does any one have good ideas for fertiliser for strawberry plants please Thanks Pigeon Valley

Started by Pigeon Valley. Last reply by Katherine Lucas 20 hours ago.

Courgettes/zuchinis - what variety? 4 Replies

Any recommendations for what variety of courgettes to grow in Auckland? I'm keen for ones that have more of a bushy rather than creeping habit if possible as we've got limited space.

Started by Ariane Craig Smith. Last reply by Kali Nov 22.

Broccolli bugs and birds 5 Replies

Any tricks to keeping caterpillars away from the Broccoli? (other than out there every day doing an inspection!) And anyone know how to keep the birds from digging up the soil? I made 2 little rows...

Started by Emma. Last reply by Kali Nov 22.

sweet corn plants rotting in the stems 1 Reply

I am gutted. My honey and pearl corn is flopping and at close inspection I've found the stem is discolouring and weakening then flopping over. It's the main stem which produces the tassle. The plan...

Started by marjolijn vos. Last reply by Denise Nov 21.

sweet corn leaf damage 3 Replies

My sweet corn plants have unusual shredded damage to the leaves that I don't recognise coming from snails/slugs. Can anyone shed light on this? I'm wondering if it is from earwigs. It's starting to...

Started by marjolijn vos. Last reply by Regan Pryor Nov 11.

passionfruit seeds 6 Replies

I have been given some passionfruit seeds.They are banana flavoured,can anyone tell me if the seeds need any treatment before sowing ie freezing or sandpapering,as the seeds have very hard case.als...

Started by Colin Cook. Last reply by Regan Pryor Nov 11.

garlic 5 Replies

I couldn't resist digging up a plant... but there was no bulb. Just looks like a spring onion base. This is my 2nd go at trying to go garlic and this is what happened the first time round. No bulbs...

Started by marjolijn vos. Last reply by Kali Nov 11.

WILD PASSIONFRUIT 3 Replies

Hi - has anyone tried growing wild passionfruit from a cutting or from seed?

Started by Emma-kate Whelan. Last reply by Tania Nov 8.

Fresh Ginger 2 Replies

Does anyone know of a source of fresh ginger available in Auckland?

Started by Mary Jackson. Last reply by Mary Jackson Nov 8.

watermelon 3 Replies

Help! Why aren't my watermelon seedlings growing? I grew the plants from seed, they have grown at least 2 true leaves but now they seem to have stopped growing. Do I water more? Feed them more worm...

Started by marjolijn vos. Last reply by Mel Nov 4.

Bottles for when making vinegars and oils 13 Replies

Next to try is making my own cider vinegar and herb flavoured oils. I had a read on how to etc but not sure what type of containers is the best to store it in after it's been strained and ready for...

Started by Jeffie. Last reply by Jeffie Nov 2.

melons and chia 8 Replies

Hi melons and chia are two things I have not had success with each time I have tried germinating the seeds. anyone successfully grown melons from seed? I have tried banana melon, jenny lind and tig...

Started by Kali. Last reply by Kali Oct 30.

faster growing vegies 5 Replies

just wondering if anyone knows of an organic fertelizer or another way to help vegies along (make them grow a bit faster)?

Started by megan dahl. Last reply by Rex Morris Oct 26.