Frosts Can Be Expected During This Month

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30406, 3 April 1964, Page 8

Frosts Can Be Expected During This Month

As these notes are being written, yet another norwester is battering against the building; once again one wonders what new damage is going to occur. It also acts as a reminder of the disappointing season just passed. Still, with the completion of harvesting of vegetables and fruit there is only tidying up to be carried out in the flower garden, a task which has been neverending this year. Vegetables The most important task is to hasten maturity of vegetables before the arrival of the frosts. It may be remembered that the first frost last year arrived during this month and it was quite sudden and unduly severe. The wind has hastened the drying of onions and these can now be moved under cover.

Marrows, pumpkins and squash will not store for any period if frosted. They should

be first fielded and then taken in as soon as they have matured. Maturity is indicated by a colour change, which is usually a deepening or darkening of the skin. Tomatoes should be constantly picked as soon as they begin colouring. Ripening can be finished indoors and this only takes a day or two. Towards the end of the month, where plants have not been frosted, complete defoliation should take place to hasten ripening of the fruit. The “fern” of asparagus will have to be cut down to ground level as the plant turns yellow. Take care, when removing the tops of the female “ferns,” not to spill the berries, for these germinate readily to the detriment of established plants. The tops can be consigned to the compost heap or, where machinery exists, can be worked into the ground. Digging over of vacant plots can begin as soon as crops have been harvested. Do not forget to add some form of organic matter as you are digging. Do not neglect weed control, for autumn rains can induce weed seed germination as well as induce luxuriant growth on established weeds.

Sowings this month are somewhat limited; broad beans, onions, radish, and spinach, Spring cabbage and lettuce can be planted. Fruit

Fruit should be picked as varieties mature. Much fruit has been lost this season by excessive winds, while branches have been cracked or broken. Although flavour is impaired by premature picking, varieties that are well forward may benefit from immediate picking to prevent them being damaged by inclement weather. Damaged or bruised fruit should not be stored but eaten immediately. Pick over fruit in store and remove ripe fruit as well as any showing signs of decay. As soon as harvesting is is complete, gather up all fallen fruit and remove mumifled specimens from the tree; remove damaged branches; seal exposed wood; and apply a clean-up spray such as Bordeaux. Areas designed for planting of fruit trees or bushes should be well prepared and the positions of the trees marked in readiness for early planting. Early planting does pay dividends for so often during the winter months the weather prevents both preparation and planting.

Flowers The summer bedding will now be over and preparation and planting of spring bedding should proceed without further delay. After removal, the beds should be dug over and allowed to settle. Give a good dressing of a general fertiliser at the rate of four ounces to the square yard and rake it in. Where the soil is dry, it will be advisable to wait until there has been rain or until irrigation has been applied. Bulbs should be planted without further delay and if these are to be incorporated with bedding, plant after the bedding has been put in. Dahlias are still providing a good display and these can be left until the frost blackens the tops before lifting. Chrysanthemums will be flowering so keep a watch for earwigs, which can easily spoil blooms by eating the petals. Continue to take buds off late varieties and

maintain regular tying for where this has been neglected this season, plants are bent and broken. Polythene stretched over the plants will provide some protection against weather. Autumn colour should be the particular feature this month to be followed by general leaf fall. Collect all fallen leaves and build into a heap to produce leaf mould, or consign them to the compost heap. Collect seed as it ripens where it is intended to be used to raise fresh plants. After cleaning, sow immediately or dry the seed and keep in a cool dry place until the spring. Once the soil is moist again, planting of container-grown plants can be considered. April is a good month for the planting of evergreens, while the soil is still warm. Otherwise they are best left until the spring. Continue mowing regularly.

Those new lawns sown last month should now have germinated and those thin patches could be resown; take care not to sow seed too thickly. Once the young grass has reached a height of about two inches it will benefit from a light cut. Ensure the cutting blade is sharp and set high. No doubt the new lawn seems to be a mass of weeds. This first cut will help to control these and subsequent regular mowings will control most of the annual weed. Glasshouse

Frosts can be expected this month so that ventilators should be closed in the evenings. By closing earlier in the afternoon some of the sun’s heat can be trapped. Carry out glazing and repairs to heating equipment before the onset of really cold weather. Remove shading from glass. Cease watering tomatoes. Most of the foliage should be removed to expose the fruit to the light. As the crop is cleared the old plants should be burnt and not deposited on the compost heap. If the plants have to be removed before all the fruit is ripe, the well-developed green fruit will ripen if picked and placed in a box in a warm place. Light is not essential. Where seedlings have been raised for spring bedding, harden them off before planting out. Schizanthus sown last month will be ready for pricking out. These can go into boxes and later into their flowering pots, or they can be pricked out directly into the containers in which they are to flower. Seedlings of calceolarias from last month’s sowing will be very susceptible to damping off so that watering with captan or Cheshunt compound will be advantageous. Prick off into boxes or small pots as soon as they are big enough to handle. Cyclamen should be producing flower buds and more care in watering will be necessary. Pick over at regular intervals. Old plants from last season should be rehoused, picked over and topdressed. Space out primulas and cinerarias. Aphis and leaf miner can prove very troublesome with the latter and these should be controlled by spraying with Lindane.

Rehouse any tender plants that have been stood outside during the summer.