In The Vegetable Garden

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28937, 3 July 1959, Page 9

In The Vegetable Garden

Prepare the soil for spring sowing, and dig deeply all vacant spaces. It is the best time of the year to apply lime in carbonate form. This can be scattered over the dug soil at the rate of two handfuls to the square yatd.

Lime and sawdust are not used as much as their value warrants. Both should now be spread freely over most areas, and under the fruit trees as well

If you propose planting rhubarb or asparagus later, treat the ground as above, but also dig in as much manure or compost as possible. Plant early cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, and shallots. Get potato seed under cover to sprout.

Expose to all weather but frost. Supplies should be adequate this season, and prices higher than last year. That is to be expected. Reports of results from certified seed continue to be favourable.

Sow a row of early peas, broad beans, and lettuce.

All root crops can now be dug and buried lightly in a convenient corner, cutting off the tops.

Among the more recently developed border perennials which seem to have come from nowhere, is the family of Lythrums. the variety L. pritchardii being shown in our illustration. They have quickly found a place and are destined to hold it, for they have all the qualities necessary to achieve popularity. Growing about three to four feet in height, with several spreading heads, the pink to red plumes are long lasting and very attractive. The flower spikes rise up as a central close one with several smaller side stems to make a good contribution to the display of cut flowers.