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Q. Where can I purchase United Nurseries products?
A. United Nurseries products can be purchased at Bunnings, K Mart, Big W, Coles,
Plants Plus, Plants Australia and other independent nurseries, which sell quality seedlings
and plants.
Q. My Alinta strawberries are bursting with vigour, they flower and the fruit sets. Except now they are producing fruit that is covered in tiny leaves. What is causing this?
A. The problem described called phylody, whilst not common, is unfortunately a trait of day length neutral strawberries, like Alinta.
Phylody is less likely to occur in longer days and or cooler, stable temperatures. The problem is really seasonal confusion within the plants and is confined to plantings North of Sydney.
Remedial action is to remove, and continue to remove, all effected fruit, promoting newer flowers, which with increasing day lengths and more even temperatures, should return to satisfactory cropping. It may also help if you do not add any nutrients, and allow the plants to be a little hungry.
Q. We have noticed that a couple of our strawberries have holes in them and some of the leaves
have holes as well. The leaves also look like they have black spot similar to black spot on roses. We are growing them
up off the ground in a gutter hanging on the fence. What could be causing this?
A. Even though the strawberries are growing off the ground, earwigs or slugs could be chewing away at night. The black spot look on the leaves could be due to moisture or watering problems caused by moisture sitting on the leaves through the night. Water in the morning so that the moisture can dry off, or water under the leaves. Fungal problems can arise from water sitting on leaves overnight.
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Q. Are all chillies edible or are some just ornamental?
A. Plant growers will identify certain chillies as ornamental, because some varieties are not reliable in the heat consistency of the chilli. So on one plant there may be a variation of extremely hot and mild chillies in one season, so it cannot be marketed as hot, medium or mild rating. It is probably a good guide not to eat chillies marked ornamental.
Q. I recently purchased some ‘Top Taste’ Giant Victoria Rhubarb.
On the tag it says “Maturity: 12 Months”. Does this mean it is not ready to use till then or only lasts 12 months?
It looks good now although the stems are green not red.
A. Rhubarb is a cool season perennial, resistant to drought and is winter dormant. It re-shoots in spring, with a production of red stems. By summer the stalks will grow greener. It is a good idea during the first year of planting to remove the flowers as they appear as it reduces the energy of the plant, and do not pick the stalks, so as to nourish roots for next year’s growth. The second year the plant can be harvested, approximately every 6 weeks.
Established clumps may be trimmed after 4-5 years or when the stalk growth becomes spindly.
Q. What is an heirloom vegetable?
A. Heirloom vegetables grow from seeds that have been handed down through generations, of over 50 years or more. They are worthy of true taste. They have been collected and stored by seed banks, or home gardeners.
Heirloom vegetables are ideal for the home gardener, besides being tasty; the crop ripens over an extended period of time making it more suitable for the family cooking.
Commercial hybrids in comparison to Heirloom seeds have been bred to ripen simultaneously, uniformity of size, shape, colour and hardiness to withstand transportation. Taste is a low priority.
For more information, go to www.diggers.com.au
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Q. What do I need to grow my tomato?
A. Whether you choose to plant in a garden bed or a pot, you will need an open, sunny site, protected from the wind. If you are planting into the ground, make sure you have a well drained soil with manure or fertilizer added, where capsicums, eggplants, potatoes or tomatoes have not be grown before. If you wish to plant into a pot, use a premium potting mix for optimum results.
If your tomato variety is a tall, indeterminate variety, you will require a stake or frame.
Water steadily and maintain constant moisture to avoid blossom end rot. Try to water at the base of the tomato, to minimize fungal problems. Fertilize regularly with liquid fertilizer for tomatoes, after the first flowers appear.
If pests attack your tomato, try using a pyrethrum or garlic spray.
Q. Do I need a stake for my tomato?
A. It will depend on the variety of tomato that you choose. A compact, dwarf, determinate variety will not require staking but a taller growing variety will need a stake. Generally the back of the label will inform you as to whether you need a stake.
Stakes or frames should be approximately 1.8m high and positioned prior to planting to avoid disturbing the plant. Make sure that you have a well-drained friable soil with added manure or fertilizer suitable for tomatoes.
As the plant matures, tie it to the stake or frame.
Q. How do I get optimum results from my annuals?
A. When purchasing your annual seedlings, check the label to ensure that your choice is suitable for your garden position.
Soil preparation before planting will ensure that your seedlings will thrive. Mixing some compost into your soil will help nourish your plants and help with water retention. Plant seedlings at the distance specified on the label. Soak the soil and then do not allow it to dry out. If planting into a pot, select a premium potting mix for best results.
Dead head (pinch out) the spent blooms, this will produce new floral blooms and bushy growth. A liquid feed of fertilizer, once a fortnight will encourage continuous blooming.
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Q. How do I care for my perennials?
A. For pruning of perennials it is best done after flowering has depleted. Pruning will encourage new fresh growth in the oncoming warm season and help the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Add organic fertilizer and water, to the soil around the plant in the spring for nourishment.
Q. I need advice as to how to grow strawberries.
A. Select a sunny position with well-drained soil. Cultivate the soil and add an organic fertilizer. Strawberry runners can be placed 30cm apart. Water well until the strawberries are established. In the garden the use of black plastic, weed mat or sugarcane mulch around the strawberries can reduce weeding and keep the fruit clean. Strawberries grow successfully in pots and tubs. For best results use a premium potting mix and a liquid feed once a fortnight.Harvest the strawberries every three to four days, to encourage more fruiting.
Q. My young family and I would like to plan a vegetable garden, but we have no previous experience. Could you give us some suggestions?
A. You will require an area in a sunny spot with free draining soil. Unless you are lucky enough to have a sandy loam soil, your soil will need improving for good results. If you have a very clay soil, you may need to create a raised bed with sleepers. Add to your existing soil, compost and manure. Water in.
If you intend to grow vegetables year after year, you may consider crop rotation. It is best not to grow plants from the same vegetable family in the same spot, year after year. Crop rotation deters soil-borne viruses and diseases. An example of this, do not grow potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant or capsicums in the same soil year after year.
Your vegetable selection will be dependant on your family’s taste buds and the season.
Your local nursery will be able to provide you with a selection for the season.
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