Food Growing Q&A

Information

Ask and Answer food growing questions here.

Members: 461
Latest Activity: Jan 23, 2022

How to use this forum

Ask questions by starting a new discussion here.

Answer questions by making comments on the questions asked.

Browse the forums to learn heaps of great knowledge.

If you can't find what you're looking for in the discussion forums below, ask a question in the comments section at the bottom of the page and someone may come back to you with an answer or to point you to the right discussion.

Have Fun!!

Discussion Forum

Tree collards 9 Replies

Hi, just wanting to know if anybody in NZ is growing/supplying tree collards which apparently are difficult to grow from seed, mainly sold as cuttings, and produce greens all year round.Continue

Started by Hayden Cowper. Last reply by Ross Jury Jan 23, 2022.

Bilberry 3 Replies

Can you grow Bilberry in NZ and if you can does anyone know where you can but the plant?

Started by Caroline Wilkinson. Last reply by Paul Zielinski Jul 31, 2017.

Broccoli Heads 1 Reply

Hi, the last couple of times we planted broccoli the heads spreaded and flowered instead of staying the shape you normally see.What can be done to make them grow properly?ThanksContinue

Started by Nicolas Santini. Last reply by Kali Jan 31, 2016.

Asparagus crowns 9 Replies

Hey everyone,Could someone tell me what time of year you can get asparagus crowns and where from? I had little success from seed last year and want to make up some time and get crowns planted this…Continue

Started by Laine. Last reply by Ingrid Ennis Jan 6, 2016.

Borer in persimmon tree

The top half of one of my persimmon trees snapped off over the weekend due to some evil little borer or similar that had been munching away inside. Any tips on how to save the rest of the tree (now…Continue

Started by Karen Swainson Nov 16, 2015.

CHIRAMEN SQUASH

Hi Does anyone know where I can find seed in NZ for these squash?GaryContinue

Started by Gary Burgess Nov 7, 2015.

Growing veggies in containers 10 Replies

I have never grown veggies in little containers before but I am planning on upcycling some of my tin cans for this purpose (I currently use cans for all sorts of other uses such as candles, pen…Continue

Started by Vickie. Last reply by Julie Smith Sep 23, 2015.

Harvesting Bananas 8 Replies

We have a bunch of bananas on our plant. The ones at the top are quite fat, but lower down the bunch they are smaller. Would it work if we cut some of the top ones to ripen inside and left the lower…Continue

Tags: harvesting, bananas

Started by Hester. Last reply by TK Jun 12, 2015.

Oxalis Garden Bed...

Ok, I have decided to try again with a garden bed that is filled with Oxalis. I have tried digging out the soil and filling with fresh compost a couple of times over the last few years but it comes…Continue

Started by Charlotte Oct 30, 2014.

Asparagus from seed 6 Replies

Does anyone have experience with growing asparagus from seed. I planted them 4 weeks ago, have kept them moist and warm in a greenhouse, but thus far have one 1cm sprout. I was about to empty the…Continue

Started by Laine. Last reply by Laine Dec 21, 2013.

Comfrey root - how small can I cut it up? 5 Replies

Just received a pack of comfrey root in the post from Koanaga and will pot it up this weekend. I was thinking of cutting up the pieces so they are about 1cm long each. Does that sound big enough for…Continue

Started by Laine. Last reply by Shona Cullen Sep 6, 2013.

What is the best low cost Mulch 20 Replies

Any recomendations? Pea straw is expensive. How about shredded paper? Will this rot down quickly enough? It is for my veg bed and eventually I want to be able to dig it in. Why is pea straw so…Continue

Started by Samantha Freeman. Last reply by Tammi Jun 30, 2013.

about broad beans 5 Replies

I sowed broad beans this March (As I ususally do). They usually grow slowly during winter for me and I get an early crop in spring. This year they are already flowering!! So ... I do not know…Continue

Started by Luisa Beltran Castillon. Last reply by Rex Morris Jun 25, 2013.

Possums 1 Reply

Kia ora,What ways does everyone recommend keeping possums off newly planted fruit trees? I will be trapping, but am interest in what methods and/or products people use to stop them climbing up onto…Continue

Started by Laine. Last reply by Maree W Jun 3, 2013.

Grapes and Kiwifruit

Hi Everyone,I have some grape and kiwifruit plants being delivered soon and I need to get the fencing up. I have purchased all the materials, but would like some advice on some details.For grapes,…Continue

Started by Laine Jun 2, 2013.

Red and blackcurrant cuttings - plant now? 4 Replies

I have currant cuttings that I stuck into small pots in summer.They have sprouted a few health leaves each now. See pix attached.Is it okay to put them in the ground in autumn? Will planting them…Continue

Started by Lay. Last reply by Lay May 27, 2013.

What fruiting plants like wet feet? 5 Replies

Hi all,I am designing a food forest and have an area that will be quite damp in winter. The ground is reasonable free draining, and I will add a small surface drain with pebbles in it, but it is the…Continue

Started by Laine. Last reply by Laine May 15, 2013.

Growing figs in containers 11 Replies

Does anyone have advice on:- how big a container I should plant a fig in if I want a fairly good tree, but to limit the root growth?- What sort of containers can be recycled for this use?- how big…Continue

Started by Laine. Last reply by Julia Sich May 7, 2013.

Where can I get elderberry trees? 39 Replies

I know they grow from cuttings and by suckering- but where can i GET these? I am happy to buy and to pay all costs etc in order to procure a dozencuttings...

Started by Teeli. Last reply by Teeli Mar 7, 2013.

Help! Birds are getting my elderberries! 9 Replies

I love having birds in my garden- I don't use chemicals of any kind in order to encourage the wildlife... and I don't mind sharing my fruit and vegetables with the birds..BUT...how do i get to keep…Continue

Started by Teeli. Last reply by Teeli Jan 28, 2013.

View All

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Food Growing Q&A to add comments!

Comment by josephal on January 26, 2011 at 8:14am: Went to look at netting the other day and found it outrageously expensive! anyone know a good place to buy it?

Comment by Kelly Ronayne on January 25, 2011 at 11:04pm: Thanks Nicholas, I'll try some netting. I wonder what birds sense of taste is like, they don't seem to mind whether the tomatoes are ripe or not, eew!

Comment by Nicholas Kiely on January 25, 2011 at 5:01pm: Sounds like birds, thirsty birds seem to love them.

Comment by Kelly Ronayne on January 25, 2011 at 1:30pm: I have big holes in the bottom of my tomatoes, which are filled with mould - but I think some bug may be doing the damage and the mould moves in afterward. My book says that tomato worms cause small tunnels, but these are gaping open scoops out of the bottom. Any ideas about what it might be and organic ways of treating it?

Comment by Lisa L on January 24, 2011 at 9:54pm: Thanks for all the tips will just be more patient!

Comment by Kali on January 24, 2011 at 12:01pm: re maori potates... I grow urenika, or should i say they volunteer now around the place here, I was told and seems to be true that they need constant moisture to get to a good size, otherwise the tubers stop growing and start new ones once the moisture returns, ie. uneven watering results in multiple tiny spuds! the other problem could be too much nitrogen only encouraging top growth and not tuber formation which needs potash.

Comment by moggy on January 24, 2011 at 7:58am: yes I found it in a stream. The way it grows looks like the way my other water cress grows, thw roots are similar and the stems similar, though the stems are reddish. I did try one leaf, it tasted vaguely watercress like but it is no where near as hot and peppery as the stuff I grow, very mild in comparison, so that is why I am hesitant as to what it is.

Comment by Annette on January 24, 2011 at 7:54am: Looks like watercress to me - although I couldn't tell unless I tasted it ;)

Did you find it in a stream?

Comment by moggy on January 24, 2011 at 7:47am: I poted this on the Edible NZ natives section, but no one it answering, so putting it here as this group seems more active. I am thinking about putting this into the tunnel house today (ok grasping at straws as to how fits into the group topic), I found it high up on the nearby hill I think it is native watercress, but I am unsure. Help in identification appreciated, I don't want to poison myself putting it in a salad

Comment by moggy on January 24, 2011 at 7:43am: I also meant to add to my coment that I agree with the others, I did mine up, usually unintentionally as I have forgotten about them when I am turning the garden over for winter, so definitely it is too early to be expecting much of a crop.