Food Growing Q&A

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Ask and Answer food growing questions here.

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Latest Activity: Jan 23, 2022

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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.

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Comment by moggy on August 21, 2012 at 2:28pm: I would not worry about jerusalem artichokes turning into a rampant weed. The main reason it has a bad reputation is that it will grow from the smallest piece, this means if you put peelings on the compost heap then spread them around the garden, it will sprout up every where. The simple solution is do not throw it on the compost heap and you have no problem.

They will slowly creep if they not dug up every year, but only very slowly. If you dig them up in the Autumn and want to completely eradicate them, just wait till the sprouts the following spring and dig them up. It is unlikely there will be any left to sprout the following spring.

The problem with them in pots is that they are very tall and you will need a method of ensuring they do not blow/fall over constantly.

Comment by Justin JX on August 21, 2012 at 9:25am: Has anyone tried to grow Jerusalem artichokes in potato planter bags? How many tubers can I fit into a bag? I have sort of run out of planting space and I don't want to plant them into my wildflowers meadow as they can potentially turn into rampant weed.

Comment by Richard Watson on June 5, 2012 at 6:47am: Oh OK,thanks Pete,my anti virus wouldn't let me open it anyway

Comment by Pete Russell on June 4, 2012 at 10:06pm: Hi Richard. The message was spam so has been deleted. The member has also been suspended. Sorry about the hassle.

Comment by Richard Watson on June 4, 2012 at 10:04pm: I get an email and it says - A message from John Lastingbone to all members of Food Growing Q&A on Ooooby!
Health coverage cheaper than my group plan at work! Check it out!

i click on the link,arrive here and where is the posting??,i'm confused

Comment by Shona Cullen on April 27, 2012 at 12:19pm: Can anyone tell me the easy way to clean cruched shell, my garden surounds are a mess and to dont know how to tidy it up for the winter?

Comment by Richard Watson on December 1, 2011 at 5:31am: yes for cooking it doesn't matter if they are not a 100% ripe but for us we leave ours till they turn a yellow colour and slightly soft

Comment by moggy on November 30, 2011 at 5:58pm: there are different varieties of gooseberries, some turn reddish, some do not. It does not matter if they are 100% ripe or not, all recipes usually call for the addition of sugar anyway. Gooseberry and elder flower fool is delicious

Comment by Matt Moir on November 30, 2011 at 4:12pm: Thanks for the memories Josephal I fondly rember my grandfathers gooseberrys from back in Dunedin in the late 60s early 70s with that red tint on them when they were ripe for picking he regreted showing me the ripe ones after that but because I always beet him to that bush never left any for anyone else.

Comment by josephal on November 30, 2011 at 3:04pm: From my childhood, I remember gooseberries with great affection. When they get a slight red tinge and go a bit softer they are ok to eat. Green ones are super sour eaten raw! My grandmother would use them green and make gooseberry pies.