Highlights In Wartime Gardening

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 256, 29 October 1942, Page 3

Highlights In Wartime Gardening

ALTHOUGH artificial fertilisers are available in small quantities, home gardeners should concentrate as much as possible MAKE MOST on the use of OF MANURES natural manures. Prominent among these are humus and compost, which can be produced by any gardener from the refuse of his own crops, weeds, household rubbish, grass clippings and seaweed. Seaweed itself is a most valuable material and those living near beaches should secure as much as possible. Salt-loving plants, such as asparagus, sea kale, beet and celery, thrive on it. but it is a fine fertiliser for almost any crop. Rich in nitrogen, potash, iodine and other salts, seaweed decomposes at a rapid rate and thus becomes quickly available as a plant food. It can be readily converted into compost, but is usually dug in in trenches. It is particularly good for encouraging the quick growth of potatoes. An interesting series of experiments has been conducted in Wellington into the incidence of leafcurl in peaches, and the assertion is made that this is a disease of deficiency. The disease, it is claimed, is arrested by the use of humus. A tree grown on a clayey soil, with Sin of humus in place of the usual topsoil, was free of disease, while an adjacent tree treated only with artificial manures was badly affected.

O f importance in the vegetable garden at the present time is the planting of melons, pumpkins. cucumbers and mar PIjAXT OUT rows. The soil treatALL CHOI'S ment for these is practically identical. It must be remembered that they are gross feeders, and must have a rich, deep root-run. with an abundance of moisture. These conditions are best provided by digging holes 2ft square and 18in deep. Into the bottom half of the hole should be placed well-iotted vegetable matter or old animal manure, and the top soil should be richly laced with the same material. This will form a low hill, which will, however, fall below the surface of the surrounding ground when it consolidates. Plant two seedlings or four seeds on the hill. Keep the former well watered and sheltered from the sun in warm weather and protected from slugs. Bush marrows are probablv the best type lor small gardens, 'and they bear prolific-ally. With pumpkins space can be saved by nipping out the tips of the leading shoots. However. the greatest care should be taken to see that the plants do not suffer from lack of moisture at any stage.

WHERE vegetable crops have been retarded on account of wet and cold weather, a pinch of nitrate of . SOf . la Win Kive them a fiU'P- This applies PROGRAMME particularly to lettuce. asparagus, French and runner beaos, cabbage, cauliflower, onions aift spinach. Beet and tomatoes will respond to sulphate of ammonia, but it should be applied sparingly in the latter case. The weather, pests and birds may be blamed in most cases of difficulty in getting crops of dwarf beans away successfully. Wet weather, lack of sunshine may have held up germination, but slugs', woodlice and similar pests have been reaping a rich harvest. W here there are many "misses" in a row it will pay to resow. choosing a dry line spell and taking protective measures against pests. Seeds of most vegetables can be planted now. these including beet, cabbage, carrot, celery, sweet corn, mustard and cress, egg plant, beans, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, spring onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, spinach, tomato and turnip. Plant out tomatoes, potatoes, herbs, lettuce, beet, cabbage. During dispells hoe between the rows to keep down the growth of weeds and to keep the soil fine. This will often take the place of watering artificially. * * * *

kinds of outdoor chrysanthemums should be planted out now. They do best in an open situation with full PLANT OUT sun and preCHRYSANTHEMUMS fer a friable soil, well drained and rich in humus. During the growing season they require an abundance of moisture, but unless care is taken to see that the drainage is adequate, disease will be difficult to control. Periodical applications of liquid manure are necessary to secure choice blooms, the best procedure being to alternate with soot and animal manure. Dahlias can now be safely planted out, although as this is essentially an autumn flower the planting season can be extended until December. Like the melon family, these plants are gross feeders and give their best results when liberally supplied with organic manure. Green fly has been appearing on roses, which should be freely sprayed with a nicotine sulphate spray as a control measure. A wide range of annuals can be sown and planted now. Massing of a single colour or variety will usually be found to make a most effective display.