Reminders For The Week

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 66, 19 March 1942, Page 9

Reminders For The Week

COXSTAN T working of the .soil is the secret of producing good vegetables. This does not apply only WrKTißir to a growing crop, ut to the prepara».AKi)h.\ tion of the soil for a ~ . . new one. This is an excellent time for the preparation of new beds. If needed for winter and early spring crops they should be Ki ised and about four feet in width, lnis allows a freer circulation of air and warmth to the roots during the wet winter season, provides better drainage and enables weeding and attention to the crops to be carried without treading on the beds, that is not required until the spring should be planted -with a green crop, which will not only keen down the weeds, but will provide numus. \Vorked-out soil will require to be deeply trenched. Earth up early-planted leeks and celery. The latter should be well advanced in growth before being moulded up, a good plan being to gather the leaves carefully together and place a wrapper of brown paper round each plant before pressing the earth into position. This prevents fine earth getting into the heart and prevents decay. Continue to pay attention to tomatoes, removing the laterals and shortening leaves by half to admit the maximum of sun into the ripening fruit. Autumn potatoes should be lightly moulded up as they reach four inches above the surface. Though not so susceptible to blipht at this period a light spraving with bordeaux mixture will do no harm. Turnip seed should be sown now in rich soil. Use no new animal manure, but if fertilisers are necessary the best are equal parts of

bonedust and superphosphate. Another popular standby in the winter is silver beet. Seeds should be planted about four inches apart. If tney are soaked overnight they will germinate more quickly. Earlyplanted strawberries are easily the best and a bed can be prepared now. Continue to plant out cauliflowers and cabbages. Even if there is a crop coming on there is no harm in planting another row, for it is usually f< ? un d that there is usually a feast of these valuable vegetables in the early spring, followed by a famine. * * * * WITH the exception of those planted late, all gladioli corms should be lifted and prepared for ™ ,o.™™ storing. If kept for a * IiOWER period in paper bags conGARDEN taining naphthalene the . incidence of American thrips will be greatly diminished. Continue to plant out bulbs. Plant out Iceland poppies, pansies, stocks, polyanthus, primrose, antirrhinum, ■wallflower, cineraria, linaria, nemesia, larkspur, cornflower and winter marigold. Take care to give cinerarias a southern aspect and some protection if frost occurs. Continue to make sowings of the leading hardy annuals and perennials. During the next few weeks it will be found that cuttings of ripened wood can be struck easily. Try roses, shrubs and favoured climbing plants from which suitable wood is available. Sand is the best medium for striking. Established carnations can be assisted by cutting out all growths that have finished flowering and are now looking yellow and jaded. The present is a good time to plant new named varieties. Lupins make a fine show in the garden and are extremely hardy for present sowing.