Staff Member Answers:

I would start by planning your garden, as if it has a structure that is conducive to good growth and is visually appealing you will be less likely to have to make major changes later on.

The fact that you are gardening in a southwest facing garden is a great start, as this will give you plenty of light and warmth - potentially with some microclimates that will be fantastic for more adventurous planting.

Plan a mixture of foliage types and colours - as you want vegetables and ornamentals this immediately gives you some variety. Add a variety of heights too and if possible shield some areas, so not everything is visible in one glance - I realise this is a little more challenging in a smaller plot, but it's still achievable. Make use of climbers on your walls/fences, or construct something for them to grow on and cling to. And have evergreen as well as some deciduous plants, with a goal to have something of interest for every season.

If you have zones then this would allow you to focus on getting certain areas finished, without having to necessarily do everything at once - as you've realised, weeds will move back in again, as their seeds will be around your garden soil. As summer's now pretty much finished you can plan and prepare for next spring's planting for many of the plants such as Tomatoes and Peppers.

Anything that you want grown in a pot - such as your mints, which will contain their spread (many of them can be a little invasive) could be started now too, as these are moveable. It would be fine to take some mint cuttings and get them started now - if you get rooted plants, these can be moved at most times of the year.

Some easy perennial low maintenance plants, that are generally trouble free include hardy geraniums, Hebes, Heucheras: many of these now have incredible foliage colours, such as creme brulee, and tons of them are great in shady spots, if your garden has any, A plant group to consider for late winter/early spring flowering are the Hellebores, including the Christmas Rose or Helleborus niger.

Many bulbs, as you mentioned you wanted to use these, are also easy and low maintenance. I'd aim to get some miniature narcissus, such as Tete a Tete, as these add late winter flower colour too. I have some that have been great in pots for the last 6 years or so, though they're also great in beds.

Thomson and Morgan seeds offer many perennial plant seeds, and you will find many friends and gardeners happily donate cuttings or small plants - this was how I started when I was younger. I still grow most of my plants from cuttings and seeds.

Final thoughts on a good evergreen plant to use is the Phorium group - these come in dwarfer and larger forms, and colours from green, variegated to bronze and reds. They have spear shaped leaves, so you get the variety of the ever-present colour, as well as their more unusual leaf shapes.

Lastly, include some scented plants, as you may as well have the bonus of strong scents, alongside beautiful colour. Honeysuckles and Jasmines are great for scent, and will climb up walls or trellis, making fantastic use of space.

Preparation - deep digging and incorporation of plenty of organic material, such as compost or well rotted animal manure will pay dividends. Doing this, with several months before planting, will allow the material to break down, be moved around by worms etc, and be excellent for plants that are planted spring time. Always use fully rotted manure before plants go in the ground, as this will not affect your plants in anything but a positive way.

The methods for taking cuttings vary according to which plants you're propogating. Some plants are good with small unripe cuttings, others are better with bigger cuttings of semi-ripe plant material. Otherwise many herbaceous plants can be divided when they are at rest, and will already have roots that will allow your new plants to continue to grow. As a beginner, it's wise to check for each plant type that you have the potential to propogate, either by asking friends, or checking on the internet/a book.

I'm always really happy to help with any questions, or if you want to test out any ideas etc.

Hope these quick ideas help. Good luck with your new garden! Rob

Staff Member Answers:

In dry weather water them daily, we are also growing tomatoes in large pots on our back deck, you are doing well with the fertilizer, however heirloom tomatoess will die just like regular tomatoe plants, the best part is that with heirloom tomatoes you can save the seeds, wash them and lay on a paper towel to dry and when dry put them in a jar with a lid and save them for next year and replant.....heirloom tomatoes are neat because the seeds can be saved for next year...they are the older varieties before all the hybrids came out. Good luck and enjoy your tomatoes!

Staff Member Answers:

I've grown strawberries in containers three feet above tomatoes which were also grown in containers. They did not show any affects of the fungus's which attacked the tomatoes. Bottom line is that I quit growing strawberries because it is easier to buy them. The tomatoes were actually three feet higher that the strawberries and shaded them.

Staff Member Answers:

Yes, get at least a 12 x 12 inch pot and buy the best potting mixture you can afford. Cheap mixes will give you poor plants. Get some good fertiliser and if you live in a dry area, put some water crystals in to keep your plant moist.

One way to prop your tomato which I prefer is to get a small roll of chicken wire and bend into the shape of the pot. The tomato can then be tied to the wire closest to it.

Don't let the leaves touch the dirt, cut them off. They can get disease if not removed. Clip out some shoots and you will get bigger tomatoes. Water consistently, not overwater (you will get yellow leaves).

One plant per pot. Good luck. Home grown tomatoes are just amazing.

Staff Member Answers:

Rasam or Mulligatawny soup.

Any Indian shop should have ready made ot can be instantly made version.

Staff Member Answers:

Regarding the chickpea breading for whole spinach leaves, it sounds like a version of spinach pakoras (or bhajis) made with whole spinach leaves instead of chopped.

The chickpea breading is actually very simple - just chickpea flour and water, with the consistency of pancake batter. You can add some spices too.

Here is a spinach pakora recipe to give you an idea of how to make it. You can use whole spinach leaves instead of chopping them.

Also for the sauces (or chutneys), the green one is probably mint chutney with chili peppers. I am not sure about the red sauce.

Spinach Pakoras
Ingredients:
• 20 Palak (ie, Spinach) leaves
• 2 Cups besan (ie, chickpea flour)
• 1 Chopped onion
• 2 Green chilies
• 1 tsp Red chili powder
• 1 tsp Mango powder
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying
Cooking Instructions:
•Wash palak (spinach) leaves properly and leave it for drying.
•Chop the palak (spinach) leaves.
•Add water to besan/chickpea flour and make a batter of thick consistency.
•Add chopped green chilies, red chili powder, and mango powder, salt and blend it well into the batter.
Either add chopped spinach leaves to the batter, or dip whole spinach leaves in the batter.
•Fry small portions of mixture in oil till they turn golden brown.
•Serve spinach pakora hot with green chutney.

Staff Member Answers:

When making a planter, three types of plants are needed: a spiky type one for the back, something medium height with rounded flower and/or growth habit in the center, and something that will drape over the front.

Considering that you need some plants that can stand up to moist/cool conditions, I suggest that you consider the following:

Purple Heliotrope in the center
White Snapdragons in the rear...lots of varieties of them, I suggest one that grows to 3 feet, but as you cut back the spent spikes, more grow in a bushy habit.

Either petunias or verbena in the foreground. It will dangle in front and also wend it's way around to fill in any bare spots.

Hope you find this helpful. Good luck.

Staff Member Answers:

Treated wood will leach it's preservative into the ground over time. Try using a natural wood like ceder which is naturally resistant to decay and it smells great. Redwood, and white oak are also excellent for outdoor use. You can use an environmentally safe (water-based) stain or sealer without fear of harming the garden.

Here's a link to several planter plans.
Http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/resources/index.php?cat=449

Staff Member Answers:

Use a bucket and cut a hole in the bottom, no difference. Type "Upside down tomato planter in a search engine" their are all types of ideas. But to answer your question. I have tomatoes growing from the bottom and peppers growing out the top.
A lot of people use the top for herbs. Anything that grows on a vine, can be grown in the bottom of an "upside down container," the top must be a plant.

Staff Member Answers:

I have been doing it..but no need to pay for a plastic tub and shippingg and handling when we been makin' um for years..heres the plan to make your own..and a couple links to my garden's photos...

Http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/2446665949/

Ps do not use a container just 4 or 5 inches deep...for good tomatoes thier roots need to expand at least 10 or 12 inches..shut down thier root sytem..you shut down production...For a trial run.Home depot has some 2 gallon buckets like mine...about 12 inches deep..3.99 total when you buy the lid too..you will get 3 times the production as you would with shallow rooted and root bound tomatoes

Staff Member Answers:

Use a little black pepper. It usually takes only one time and the cat leaves it alone. DO NOT use hot pepper though. They can't get it out of their mouths. When i used black pepper my cat got a little sniff, a little sneeze, and left the plant alone.

In the mean time plant a pot of cat nip or cat mint, or a mixture of grasses for your cat. With the cat mint my cat went crazy, but didn't like cat nip. Lol

Make certain your cat has toys to play with while you are gone. It could simply be boredom.

Hope this helps.

P.S. My cat died last July. She was 19 + years.

Staff Member Answers:

Your instincts are right on. It may indeed be P deficiency, but also chilling. It wouldn't hurt to give them a does of high P liquid fertilizer to eliminate that thought. Often the lower leaves are sacrificed, if the top ones are looking good and adding more and no more purple, I'd relax.

Staff Member Answers:

Hot Italian Giardiniera
Prep Time:45 Minutes
Cook Time:2 Days 2 Hours
Ready In:2 Days 2 Hours 45 Minutes
Servings:10

INGREDIENTS:
2 green bell peppers, diced
2 red bell peppers, diced
8 fresh jalapeno peppers, sliced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cauliflower florets
1/2 cup salt
water to cover

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (5 ounce) jar pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place into a bowl the green and red peppers, jalapenos, celery, carrots, onion, and cauliflower. Stir in salt, and fill with enough cold water to cover. Place plastic wrap or aluminum foil over the bowl, and refrigerate overnight.
2. The next day, drain salty water, and rinse vegetables. In a bowl, mix together garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and olives. Pour in vinegar and olive oil, and mix well. Combine with vegetable mixture, cover, and refrigerate for 2 days before using.

Hope this is the recipe you want. Good luck

-unpredicktaboh-

Staff Member Answers:

NO, thats the same as pickeling. Put them in a jar with the vinegar, put the lid on it tightly you,ll get the same results.
BUT BETTER!

Staff Member Answers:

Red chilli.

Any type will do, some recommends bird's eye and thai chilli.

Staff Member Answers:

There not cayenne peppers that is for sure, I ama former chef and worked in Asia and there commonly known as firecracker peppers, they can be mildly hot to fiery, and if they have topped them and removed the seed then there not as hot, I use them frequently, and have worked with many of the hottest ones around.

Staff Member Answers:

Yes water them as soon as transplanted. It will help them to get a better start.

Staff Member Answers:

Everything listed needs lots of sunlight. Indoors will not provide it, not even against a south facing window. Being in pots, the heat and sunlight will dry the soil quickly. Be prepared to water at least once a day, maybe twice. You'll loose soil nutrients with all the water, get a good fertilizer you can put into the water, but dilute it more than recommended. Use this once every week or two.

85 degrees is a good growing temperature. Much more and you would have to shade the plants bit in the early afternoon.

I've never seen celery grown in pots. Normally, in the ground, the stalks are "hilled up", that is covered with dirt to keep them from getting too green and "woody."

By the way, in english it is "herbs". Some people pronounce the "h", others don't.

Staff Member Answers:

There are a number of tiny arthropods that could of come in with the soil and now their numbers are where you are easily noticing them, chances are they will be of no concern to the plant and won't live long away from the moist soil

Staff Member Answers:

Hey it normally takes 70-100 days depending on the environment. There is nothing better than home grown tomatoes. We have a large veggie patch and grow heaps of veggies. I find tomatoes, corn, grapes, and watermelon all very easy to grow in Adelaide. You should go the coles supemarket closest to you and get free styrofoam boxes they will gladly give them to you. Happy Gardening!!