Welcome to the Melbourne Community Daily Discussion Thread.

      • just_kitten@aussie.zone
        5·
        1 year ago

        cabbage

        pretty easy

        U wot m8. If you didn’t have a caterpillar problem you do now! I find them impossible to grow at all, let alone to a nice head, without picking off eggs/caterpillars every single morning and even then something else comes and devours it…

          • just_kitten@aussie.zone
            5·
            1 year ago

            Lucky, I usually have terrible results with brassicas - I often can’t even get seedlings to establish without something trying to eat it at all times… Mustard and rocket no trouble though.

              • Rusty Raven @aussie.zoneM
                3·
                1 year ago

                Lettuce can also be very prolific when allowed to seed. I currently have a fight for garden dominance between the parsley and the lettuce which seeded themselves this year.

              • just_kitten@aussie.zone
                1·
                1 year ago

                Garlic chives are a strong contender to be in that list too!

                E: also agree with Rusty’s assessment of lettuce. Have seen it grow in gravel pavements and get quite hectic under a downpipe. Mizuna (and some other mustards) can be like that too

          • just_kitten@aussie.zone
            1·
            1 year ago

            I find lettuce a lot easier to grow and not as susceptible to pests! I personally dislike lettuce but have grown the loose leaf (vs heading - eg iceberg) varieties before. They’re definitely a good starter plant. You can keep picking off leaves as you need them, until the plant bolts and goes bitter

    • just_kitten@aussie.zone
      7·
      1 year ago

      I wouldn’t start with strawberries, they’re disappointing mofos IMO.

      Building on Catfish’s other comment, I recommend growing dwarf snow peas from seed. High germination rate, not that many pests/diseases, don’t take up much space, not that picky (just keep it well watered), will twine even on a couple of sticks, enjoys part shade, long growing season (so easy to just keep sowing every 6-8 weeks for a continuous crop), usually prolific and quick to fruit - plus you can eat the shoots as well as the pods :)

      They’re a popular choice for kids. Legumes are generally fun. When I was a kid, it was mung beans in a plastic paper cup.

      And don’t take it too hard if you kill a plant, EVERYONE has done it regardless of skill level or experience - I have a graveyard of dead houseplants I still haven’t tidied up… Just keep going and you’ll start accumulating successes that you can build on :)

      E: I also heartily recommend starting with pots. Just easier to control and manage and a lower rate of encountering insects (usually).