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The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Vegetables

You'll find plently of general information about growing veggies on the internet, in books and in magazines. There can be problems, however, applying it to Qld conditions. This page will concentrate on issues likely to be particular interest to Qld gardeners, particularly those in the tropical and subtropical areas. Techniques for growing vegies in small spaces, pots and containers will also be of interest to many gardeners in this state.

News

Grow Local SEQ
Queensland Conservation wants to encourage the production and consumption of locally grown food. Their "Grow Local SEQ" campaign will help raise awareness about the environmental, economic and quality implications of reduced food transportation and storage. Objectives of the campaign include increasing the number of community gardens and farmers markets in the region, and providing support for backyard gardeners, community gardeners and farmers. For more information visit Welcome to Grow Local at the Queensland Conservation website.

Brisbane City Council encourages growing your own
There's no doubt that the backyard veggie craze is hitting Australia. Check out the following from Brisbane City Council, which includes gardening tips from the Lord Mayor himself: Start growing your own food to make Brisbane more sustainable (April 2008)

Talks, workshops and classes

With increasing interest in this subject, many opportunites to learn are also arising. If you live in Qld, check out the Queensland Gardening Pages Events Diary. Note that besides separately listed workshops, talks and demonstrations are sometimes offered at garden shows and expos. (If you're offering classes on a commercial basis, you might like to consider advertising on this website.)
On other pages:

Places to buy vegetable seeds, plants or related products & services

Regular garden centres will usually carry some vegetable seeds and/or seedlings. If you want a broader selection, especially old-fashioned (heirloom), unusual or tropical vegetables, you may need to locate a specialist supplier.

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SUSTAINABLE INSIGHT

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Sustainable Insight is an online store specialising in books and DVDs and other publications about environment and sustainable living.

Gardening, agricuture, water, alternative energy, building and transport are among the topics covered.

The extensive range, which includes Australian and international titles, is up-dated frequently. Visit the Sustainable Insight WEBSITE to see what's new.


More advertisers needed! If you sell vegetable seeds or plants to residents of Qld, or gardening accessories of particular interest to home vege growers in this state (e.g. specialised growing systems, plant supports or protective covers), find out more about advertising on this site here: Information for advertisers. May include online and mail order suppliers.

If you're looking for places to buy perennial species, heritage varieties or other unusual vegetables, nurseries advertising as fruit or herb nurseries often carry vegetable plants and/or seeds as well. If you live in Queensland, check the following:
Queensland Gardening Pages - Fruit
Queensland Gardening Pages - Herbs



More Information

Some of the big problems most Queenslanders to face when trying to grow fruit and vegetables:
- Extreme heat and sunlight intensity throughout warmer months
- Lack of well-defined seasons and lack of intense chilling in winter
- Drought and watering restrictions. Reliance by some on bore water.
- Poor native soils

There are two main approaches for Qld vegetable gardeners working towards a productive garden:
- Cultural techniques (e.g. winter cultivation instead of summer, provision of shade etc)
- Selection of suitable varieties, including species originating from tropical regions

More Links

This collection of links about vegetables and vegetable gardening (emphasisising Qld or places with similar conditions) is being built up over time. It's far from comprehensive at this stage, but you nevertheless may find some useful info here.

Vegetables in Queensland
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland. Check the Qld DPI website for up-to-date news about important pest and diseases outbreaks etc in Queensland.
Gustoso Blog about gardening and cooking in Brisbane
My Veggie Garden Blog from Toowoomba
Northey Street City Farm Windsor, Brisbane
Veggie Village Community Garden at Peregian Beach

Vegetable Growing - more virtual libraries, factsheet collections, eBooks etc
In an attempt to cover some of the more traditional western vegetable species, some websites originating from colder/wetter climates have been included here. Keep this in mind when viewing the information (in addition to the region-specific details contained in most publications)
Vegetables Northern Territory Government, Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines
Vegetable - commodity growing guides Department of Primary Industries, NSW
Vegetables Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
The World Vegetable Center promotes vegetable production and consumption to improve conditions in developing countries. A variety of growing information available under "extension materials"
ECHO An organisation helping people in developing countries overcome hunger. Lots of information on crops and techniques for difficult conditions at their website
Vegetable Crop Guides Texas A&M University
Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide University of Florida
Vegetable Growing Guides Cornell University, USA
Insect Pollination Of Cultivated Crop Plants Includes information on a variety of vegetables. United States Department of Agriculture
Access to Asian Vegetables Thesaurus Helping identify Asian vegetables by the many common names they go by. Department of Primary Industries, Victoria

Effects of weather and climate
Rainfall (or lack of it) is an obvious problem for Qld vegge growers, but there are many other ways that climatic conditions can effect production
Some veggies like the heat Mississippi State University
Time To Plant Heat-tolerant Veggies LSU AgCenter, Louisiana
Vegetable Gardening in Moapa and Virgin Valleys (Some insights into growing vegetables in hot dry conditions.) University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Home Vegetable Production in Southern Nevada (Includes some advice for growing in strong sun.) University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Why Garden Plants Fail To Produce Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona
With Hot Weather Comes Garden Woes Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona
Some vegetables that will accept a little shade National Vegetable Society, U.K.
Give garden vegetables the water they need, when they need it Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
How to cut water use in the vegetable garden Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
How to discourage your veggies from bolting Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
More about the effects on gardens in general here: Weather and Climate

Planting Calenders
While local conditions and cultural techniques will always mean that it's not possible to dictate hard-and-fast rules about when to plant particular crops, many beginners will feel that a guide will be helpful. Seed packets, local publications and broadcasts, district garden clubs etc are sources of information, although you might have trouble finding a comprehensive guide specific to your area.
The following websites have planting guides:
Brisbane Organic Growers Inc. website, which has a month-to-month guide to planting and garden tasks
Gardenate A website that offers lists of what to plant each month for various climatic zones
The following vegetable sowing calenders from the Northern Territory Government may be useful to residents of Qld in comparable climatic areas:
Darwin & Katherine Regions
Tennant Creek & Barkly Region
Alice Springs Region

Soil Issues
Lead Contamination in the Garden Ohio State University
The Myth of Protected Preservatives (PDF) Discusses the issue of whether chemicals in pressure-treated timber can affect soil or plants. Washington State University
Organic Alternatives to Treated Lumber Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA
Gardening and Landscaping with Wood Addresses some of the problems using timber in the landscape. Ohio State University. (Note that timbers species and treatments may be different in Australia).
Treated Wood for Raised Garden Beds University of Tennessee (PDF)
More about soils in general here: Soils

Pests and Diseases
General concepts are discussed here: Pests and Diseases. See also information for specific crops (see below)

Companion Planting and Allelopathy
These links have been moved to the Pests and Diseases page

Small Space and Container Growing
See also grafted vegetables (below)
Intensive Gardening Methods Virginia Cooperative Extension
Intensive Organic Gardening Ohio State University
Grow Vegetable Vines in Small Spaces Developing Countries Farm Radio Network
Container Vegetable Gardening Clemson University, South Carolina
Vegetables - Growing in Containers Walter Reeves. Georgia
Container vegetable gardens good for small spaces Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
Minigardening (Growing Vegetables in Containers) University of Florida
Vegetable Gardening in Containers Virginia Cooperative Extension
Container Gardening in the Desert A blog about growing vegetables in containers in Las Vegas, Nevada
Mini vegetables - crops of the future? National Vegetable Society, UK
Interest in patio gardens spreads Mostly about growing vegetables. Mississippi State University
Methods to grow vegetables and flowers in small spaces Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
More about container gardening in general here: Container gardening

Seeds, Varieties, Genetics
How are hybrid and open-pollinated vegetables different? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
Hybrid? Open-pollinated? Clonal?...What's the difference? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
Insect Pollination Of Cultivated Crop Plants including some general information on flowering and fruiting of plants United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
How long do garden seeds last? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Grafted vegetables
Some types of vegetables may be grafted for disease resistance or other benefits. In some cases, a perennial rootstock might give a longer life to species usually grown as annuals. This could be appealing those growing in small gardens or containers, althought the plants will undoubtedly be more expensive to purchase in this form.
Grafting of Vegetables to Improve Greenhouse Production Food & Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific region
Grafting eggfruit to control bacterial wilt Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Tomato Grafting (an illustrated guide) Northern Territory Government, Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (PDF)
Grafting Tomatoes for Bacterial Wilt Control Northern Territory Government, Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (PDF)
Grafting Snake Beans to Control Fusarium Wilt Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines, Northern Territory (PDF)

Tomatoes
These links have been moved to a new page: Tomatoes

Capsicums and Chillies
These links have been moved to a new page: Tomatoes, Capsicums, Chillies, Eggplant

Eggplant
These links have been moved to a new page: Tomatoes, Capsicums, Chillies, Eggplant

Pumpkins, Cucumbers, Melons and other Cucurbits
These links have been moved to a new page: Cucurbits

Choko
These links have been moved to a new page: Cucurbits

Beans
These links have been moved to a new page: Beans

Snake beans and relatives
These links have been moved to a new page: Beans

Peas
The Edible Pea, from A to Z Washington State University Clark County Extension
Growing Peas for Fresh Market Victoria Department of Primary Industries
Snow Pea and Sugar Snap Pea Victoria Department of Primary Industries
Peas Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Home Garden Edible-Podded Pea, University of Hawaii at Manoa (PDF)
Pea Shoots Washington State University (PDF)

Cabbages, Broccoli, Cauliflower
These links have been moved to a new page: Cabbages

Radish
These links have been moved to a new page: Cabbages, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Radish and other Brassicas

Lettuce
Growing lettuce - Common questions Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries
Growing Lettuce Victoria Department of Primary Industries
Lettuce Production N.C. State University, North Carolina
LettuceUniversity of Illinois Extension
Commodity growing guides - Field lettuce production NSW Department of Primary Industries
Growing Lettuce Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
Growing Lettuce on the High Desert Colorado State University

Sweet Potato
Growing sweetpotatoes: Before you start Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Growing sweetpotatoes: Common questions Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Sweetpotato seedbeds: Producing sprouts as planting material Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Sweetpotato: Organic Production Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA
Sweet Potato University of Illinois
Sweet Potato Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms in Sweetpotato Roots Food & Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific region
Sweet potato, kumara, uwi, ubi, or U.S. yam (Ipomoea batatas) Washington State University Clark County Extension

Corn
Growing sweet corn: Before you start Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Commodity growing guides - Sweet corn NSW Department of Primary Industries
Easy Gardening...Sweet Corn Texas A&M University
Corn delivers the sweet taste of sunshine Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
Harvest baby ears from your corn patch Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Beetroot, Silverbeet
Beetroot: Commercial production (fresh market) Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Beta vulgaris L. Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Purdue University, USA
Beta vulgaris from Sturtevant's Notes on Edible Plants 1919
Commodity growing guides - Silver beet NSW Department of Primary Industries
Grow chard for vitamin-rich green Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
Swiss Chard from "Handbook of Energy Crops
Chard or Swiss Chard Louisiana State University
Swiss Chard Texas A&M University
Swiss Chard Handbook of Energy Crops
Beet Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)

Carrots and Parsnips
World Carrot Museum A virtual museum providing information on carrot history, cultivation tips, uses and trivia
Carrot Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Daucus carota Ecocrop database, Food and Agriculture Organization
Organic Farming: Carrot Production Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
Organic Farming: Carrot Production Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
Organic Farming: Weed Control in Organic Carrots - Implements Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
Purple carrots
Plant Pigments for Color and Nutrition University of Wisconsin, Madison
Parsnips: Commercial production Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Parsnip Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)

Onions, Garlic, Shallots
Growing onions - Common questions Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Growing onions: Before you start Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Commodity growing guides - Onion NSW Department of Primary Industries
Onion Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Scallions (bunching onions) Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Growing garlic in the Moreton region Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Commodity growing guides - Growing garlic in NSW NSW Department of Primary Industries
Garlic Texas A&M University
Garlic Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Organic Garlic Production Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA
Garlic and Elephant Garlic National Vegetable Society, UK
Cultivating Garlic and Elephant Garlic National Vegetable Society, UK
Growing shallots in Queensland Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Commodity growing guides - Shallots and chives NSW Department of Primary Industries
Shallot Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Growing leeks in Queensland Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Leek Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Commodity growing guides - Leeks NSW Department of Primary Industries

Rosella
Known as "rosella" to Qlders, this plant is more commonly known as "roselle" internationally.
Roselle -- Hibiscus sabdariffa L. University of Florida
Roselle Fruits of Warm Climates by Julia F. Morton. Information from the book available online at the NewCROPTM website (Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Purdue University, USA)
Effect of Nitrogen Nutrition on Roselle at the Center for New Crops & Plant Products website
The Red Tea of Egypt Article about the spread and use of Hibiscus sabdariffa around the world, including Qld. Saudi Aramco World magazine
Roselle, My Cup of Zing at the Hawaii Gardening blog

Okra
Growing okra Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Okra Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri
Easy Gardening...Okra Texas A&M University
Okra University of Illinois
Okra in: Insect Pollination Of Cultivated Crop Plants. USDA Agricultural Research Service
Okra in the Garden LSU AgCenter, Louisiana
Abelmoschus esculentus Flowers of India

Basella
Basella alba var. rubra The Herb Society of America
Suggested Cultural Practices for Basella The World Vegetable Centre (PDF)
Basella alba Plants for a Future
Malabar Spinach Cornell University
Malabar Spinach Basella alba var. rubra at Flowers of India
Basella alba - Malabar Spinach University of Oklahoma

Jicama
Yam bean - Jicama NSW Department of Primary industries
Jicama Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
Jicama Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis
Jicama Economic Botany, The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, University of California

More Tropical / Alternative Crops
Ecocrop Information about many diverse species. Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Plants For A Future Information about unusual plants useful to mankind, including many edibles
The Famine Foods Database at the Center for New Crops & Plant Products website
Asia Food Glossary of Asian ingredients including many vegetables. Asia Society
Specialty Vegetables in Texas Information about some of the more unusual vegetable crops
Perennial Leaf Vegetables The Overstory, Agroforestry ejournal
Traditional African Vegetables Proceedings of the IPGRI International Workshop on Genetic Resources of Traditional Vegetables in Africa. Bioversity International
A Typical West Indian Fruit and Vegetable Garden (Some interesting notes on Cassava and other tropical crops) St. George Village Botanical Garden, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands
Vegetable Gardening - Tropical Style La Gringa's Blogicito, Honduras
Growing taro (Colocasia esculenta) Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Taro - The plant Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Taro NSW Department of Primary industries
The Taro Page by Windward Community College, Hawaii, USA
Harvesting Colocasia at India Garden (blog)
Commercialisation of Boab Tubers (Adansonia gregorii) Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
Boab: Adansonia gregori Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Traditional African Vegetables Proceedings of a International Plant Genetic Resources Institute workshop. Bioversity International
Kitchen Gardening A variey or articles including some unusual herbs and vegetables. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
Malunggay : The Miracle Vegetable (Moringa) Agriculture Business Week, Phillipines
Moringa oleifera (Horseradish Tree) The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, California USA
New Zealand Spinach Cornell University
Chinese Water Chestnut Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA
Culture of Long Yam, Using a Tube (Dioscorea opposita, Chinese yam) Food & Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific region
Kang Kong Northern Territory Government, Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (PDF)
Kangkong Northern Territory Government, Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (PDF)
Vegetables from the Kampong Blog post about some tropical edibles traditionally grown in Singapore Garden Voices blog, National Parks Singapore

Other
English spinach: Commercial production Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld
Spinach Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Growing rhubarb Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries
Growing rhubarb in Western Australia Western Australian Agriculture Authority
Rhubarb Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Asparagus pests and diseases Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries
Commercial production of asparagus Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries
Asparagus Jefferson Farm & Gardens, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, Missouri (PDF)
Microgreens - A New Specialty Crop in: NFREC News, Nov 17, 2008. University of Florida (PDF)
Potatoes Grow Tomatoes? Purdue University
Grow tomatillos for green salsa (salsa verde) Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
Tomatillos Washington State University Clark County Extension
Rungia klossii Ecocrop database, Food and Agriculture Organization
Rungia klossii Mushroom Plant The Florez Nursery blog, NSW
Colored Mulch for the Home Vegetable Garden Enhancing vegetable crops with plastic films that selectively reflect/transmit certain wavelengths of light
Save a year's salary by growing your own veg This is a media release about the UK's Royal Horticultural Society 'Grow Your Own Veg' 2008 campaign.
The Year-Long GRS Project: How Much Does a Garden Really Save? at the Get Rich Slowly blog. Check blog for latest updates on this project.
Edible gardens - building a raised garden bed at the "Go For Your Life" website, Victorian government
N.B. More on raised garen beds here: garden edging
GardenGal Adelaide
The Myth of Organic Superiority Washington State University (PDF)
The Three-hour Plot Vegetable growing in Sydney
My little vegetable garden Blog from Putrajaya, Malaysia
Use of herbs, fruit and vegetables in an decorative way is covered further on the Cottage Gardens page
If you're interested in growing yourown vegetables to save money, you might alos be interested in the Budget Gardening page

More links to come in future updates!
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Herbs: their cultivation and usage
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The Ethics of What We Eat
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Organic Growing with Worms
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Compost
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Organic Gardening in Australia
editor-in-chief Pauline Pears
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by Tim Low
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edited by Daryl Stevens
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Australian Soils and Landscapes
by Neil McKenzie, David Jacquier, Ray Isbell, Katharine Brown
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BuyaShed


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Oregon Scientific Australia



Kitchen Discounts

logo
illustration
Herbs: their cultivation and usage
by John and Rosemary Hemphill
illustration
The Ethics of What We Eat
by Peter Singer and Jim Mason
illustration
Organic Growing with Worms
by David Murphy
illustration
Compost
by Clare Foster
illustration
Organic Gardening in Australia
editor-in-chief Pauline Pears
illustration
The Little Book of Compost
by Allan Shepherd
illustration
The Organic Garden
by Allan Shepherd
illustration
Wild Food Plants of Australia
by Tim Low
illustration
Growing Crops with Reclaimed Wastewater
edited by Daryl Stevens
illustration
Australian Soils and Landscapes
by Neil McKenzie, David Jacquier, Ray Isbell, Katharine Brown
logo


BuyaShed


Nielsen Consumer Panel - Homescan

Oregon Scientific Australia



Kitchen Discounts

logo
illustration
Herbs: their cultivation and usage
by John and Rosemary Hemphill
illustration
The Ethics of What We Eat
by Peter Singer and Jim Mason
illustration
Organic Growing with Worms
by David Murphy
illustration
Compost
by Clare Foster
illustration
Organic Gardening in Australia
editor-in-chief Pauline Pears
illustration
The Little Book of Compost
by Allan Shepherd
illustration
The Organic Garden
by Allan Shepherd
illustration
Wild Food Plants of Australia
by Tim Low
illustration
Growing Crops with Reclaimed Wastewater
edited by Daryl Stevens
illustration
Australian Soils and Landscapes
by Neil McKenzie, David Jacquier, Ray Isbell, Katharine Brown
logo


BuyaShed


Nielsen Consumer Panel - Homescan


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