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Sunflower 10 Apr, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate): Most seeds have what is know as a "germination" temperature -- this ensures that seeds do not germinate in the middle of winter. Here are some basic germination temperatures in F ==> Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) 70 Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) 70-75 , Annual Aster (Callistephus chinensis) 70 , Vinca (Cathranthus roseus) 70-75 , Cockscomb (Cleosia spp.) 70-75 , Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus) 65-70 , Cosmos (Cosmos spp.) 70 , Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) 75 , Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) 70 , Sunflower* (Helianthus annuus) 70 , Strawflower (Helichrysum bracteatum) 70-75 . Furthermore the germination temperature needs to be sustained -- so for example if the temperature hit 70f for a couple of hours in the middle of the day and the reset of the time the temperature is 40f ==> germination will probably not occur. Sustained temperatures is how the seed KNOWS it is spring/summer -- when you start your seeds indoors, you are tricking the plant into thinking it is spring and the temps are good and it is a good time to germinate (the seedling will not freeze to death). The average flower temps are around 70f for germination. Herbs tend to require much higher germination temps and that is why many people have difficulty growing them from seed -- Rosemary being one of the worst: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 80-90 °F (27-32 °C). If you plant your seeds before OPTIMAL germination temperatures are present, you do risk rotting the seed if the ground is very wet... but for the most part, the seed will just lay dormant until all of its germination conditions are met- then it will germinate.
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Tomato 05 Apr, chris (USA - Zone 8b climate): I am in Zone 8b and was expecting seedlings from a relative so i didn't start any myself. Now, that plan fell through. It's April 5 and I am buying seeds today. Should I start indoors or directly in the soil today? I would just buy new seedlings but I am going all organic again and organic seedlings are too expensive! thanks
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Tomato 10 Apr, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate): You can look up the germination (seed hatching) temperature for various vegetables online. Compare this temperature to your soil temperature (even your air temperature to get an idea) -- the germination temperature needs to be met and sustained for the seeds to germinate (in addition to water, soil and presence of light for some shallow planted seeds). Most likely you will still benefit from starting indoors -- it all depends on temperatures AND which veggies you are planting - some veggies seeds have fairly low germination temps - beans, chard, mustard etc. Other veggies have very high germination temps: tomatoes, peppers etc. Remember that the germination temp needs to not only be met, it needs to be sustained. Since you can control your inside temperature - I would start my seeds indoors -- and potentially add a heating pad under the seedling tray. If you plant outdoors you can use a tarp to help warm the soil; I prefer clear elevated about 6" above the ground (like a green house) to help warm the soil when the sun hits it Reply

Tomato 08 Apr, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)

Check the planting guide here for the zone you live in

Ginger 30 Mar, SHERLYN RICHARDSON (USA - Zone 8b climate)

Hi can i grow ginger in zone 8b (Gardenate: Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 8b regions)

Beans - dwarf (also French beans, Bush beans) 26 Mar, Annette (USA - Zone 8a climate)

I am interested in planting my bush beans in a 3ft tall 5ft wide planter. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you

Beans - dwarf (also French beans, Bush beans) 29 Mar, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)

Plant in rows. Plant and water well then don't water for 3-4 days. Then lightly. Leave until they germinate.

Sunflower 24 Mar, Pete (USA - Zone 8b climate)

What ph is required for sunflowers. Im guessing 7.0. Do they benefit from composted chicken droppings?

Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 23 Mar, Brenda (USA - Zone 10b climate)

New to growing capsicum I am zone 10 what soil should I prepare to transplant seedlings too and what do I feed them with please Many thanks

Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers) 29 Mar, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)

If you start with good friable soil that has had some compost/composted manures in it that should be all that is required.

Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 21 Mar, C J Graham (USA - Zone 8a climate)

When is it safe to transplant my rosella in zone 8a?

Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle) 29 Mar, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)

Don't know your climate but after frosts I would think. It likes warm climate.

Rhubarb 20 Mar, Wayneman (USA - Zone 9a climate)

I live in zone 9a and have had success growing rhubarb. I have it in planter boxes and it seemed like it would not make the first summer but it is beautiful this spring. I keep in in partial shade during the summer.

Rhubarb 31 Dec, Steven Walker (USA - Zone 9a climate)

What kind of rhubarb did you purchase? What special precautions did you take to grow rhubarb?

Garlic 20 Mar, Bella Lopez (USA - Zone 9b climate)

How often do we water garlic?

Garlic 21 Mar, Anonymous (USA - Zone 3a climate)

Put your finger in the soil if it is dry below 1 inch, add water.

Ginger 20 Mar, Dee (USA - Zone 8b climate)

I have been growing edible ginger in a large 16” pot for the last three years from organic store-bought ginger root. I live in SE Alabama where summers can get extremely hot, so I make sure they get partial shade. I harvested the rhizomes in November when the canes were turning brown and the rhizomes were large & plump. It is now mid-March and temperatures are ranging from mid 60s to upper 70s, so I will break apart some of the rhizomes and let them scab over and replant in fresh soil in the next week or two.

Cucumber 18 Mar, Gina (USA - Zone 8a climate)

I planted my cucumber plants 3-4inch apart in about a15 inch space. At the end of a elevated garden. I took hog or pig wire made a arch off the end of the bed. Trained the plants to climb up and dow the arch. The wire was so spaced I could put the cucumber in the holes in the wire to support the vegetable. It loved it

Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 18 Mar, Elise Blanchard (USA - Zone 7b climate)

Is it too late to plant corn here in zone 7b?

Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 19 Mar, Elder (USA - Zone 7b climate)

No, to be safe succession plant. Starting late Feb. thru Mar.

Tomato 15 Mar, Sue Di Giacomo (USA - Zone 10a climate)

Does it help to run a misting system during the heat of Florida summertime or would that do more harm than good; ie risk burning the leaves or inviting diseases etc.

Tomato 17 Mar, Kylee (USA - Zone 5b climate)

my understanding is that keeping the leaves wet may make the plant more susceptible to disease and fungal issues, so its probably best to only water the base of the plant. Just make sure to give your tomatoes some shade throughout the day and i think they'll be alright

Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 12 Mar, DeAnn Johnson (USA - Zone 5a climate)

Thank you so much for the GREAT Tip!!!

Sweet Potato (also Kumara) 15 Mar, (USA - Zone 4a climate)

Read the posting here in the New Zealand section - I just put a reply there about growing Sweet Pots.

Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean) 10 Mar, Lori (USA - Zone 8b climate)

What is the depth of roots for asparagus peas? Do they grow well in containers?

Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean) 11 Mar, Anonymous (USA - Zone 5b climate)

Containers just need more attention with watering and fertilising etc.

Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean) 15 Mar, Lori (USA - Zone 8b climate)

Thanks. Do you know how deep the roots go, so I know how big the container needs to be?

Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean) 24 Mar, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)

I believe beans (winged beans or winged peas as they are called) are medium rooting depth --> that is 18" to 24". You can go online and search for rooting depth of vegetables and you'll get a table that shows: very shallow, shallow, medium, deep and, very deep rooted vegetables. Where very shallow is under 12" , shallow: 12"-18", medium 18"-24", deep 24"-36", very deep 36+". This is also what they call the EFFECTIVE root zone -- so in reality the plant can go deeper. Tomatoes are deep or very deep rooted (and tend toward the 36+" side) -- but many people grow them in containers that are about 18" deep -- the growth is a bit stunted, but other than that they look fine. So when you see that beans like about 24" of depth, that does not mean you can't successfully grow them in a 15" deep pot. I have found that VOLUME of soil is more important than total depth (it's a bit of a give and take) -- but lets say a 10" deep half barrel would be better suited for winged beans than a 24" deep narrow fluted container. Plants sent out roots to collect the necessities of life; water, macro nutrients (N, P, K, calcium etc.) and micronutrients (boron, iron, zinc etc.) - the roots also provide stability. Beans fix their own nitrogen but still need all the other nutrients and I have found benefit greatly from an application of micro nutrients. Whatever container size or shape you choose you need to ensure all the necessities of life are available for the plant; good aeration in the soil (look at orchid pots if you want to understand really good aeration), enough water, nutrients in a timely fashion. A small pot with little soil volume will need to have nutrition added regularly, as the plant will quickly use up all the supplies available in the soil. Further, I have found that pots with a lot of surface area give me plenty of room to top up the plant with compost or manure -- if you don't have room to top up the soil you need to use liquid fertilizers (like making you own leachate - or buying some commercial fertilizers). I remember when I wanted a container garden (my first ever container garden in the city - having always planted plants directly in the soil as containers tend to be expensive) -- anyhow, I learned the hard way HOW FAST the nutrients get used up in containers -- containers tend to require a lot of amendments (fertilizer) compared to plants in the soil for two reasons: 1. plants in the soil can send their roots out further scooping up nutrients, and using what is already there -- like minerals from rocks 2. nutrients tend to also LEACH out of containers when you water; and you are less likely to leach out your nutrients even in raised beds as you need have "run off" to do so. Hope this helps with your decision on size and shape of your pot !!!

Watermelon 09 Mar, Trish Deeter (USA - Zone 10b climate)

What are the best seeds to purchase for Zone 10b, Costa Mesa, Southern part of California near the ocean?

Watermelon 03 Apr, Karen Hutchison (USA - Zone 10b climate)

I have had good luck with Klondike

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