Time to look ahead

Press, 11 March 1983, Page 14

Time to look ahead

■ GARDENING

by

M.Lusty

Just when it seemed as though the setbacks of several weeks ago were overcome, the trials and tribulations of this season have recurred for many of us. It is an exasperating experience to see one’s efforts smashed to ribbons not once but several times within a short period. However, it is necessary to look ahead once more. While it is too late in the year to catch up on losses quick action now will still enable some restoration. Vegetables: Beetroot, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, radish, spring onions, mustard, cress, onions and silver beet, can be sown this month. Cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, sprouting broccoli, curly kale, celery, leeks, parsley, silver beet plantings are still possible. Weeds: Damp conditions induce greater germination of weed seed which can also harbour pests and diseases. Early and regular elimination will prevent checks to winter crops. Earthing up: Not essential for crops such as leeks and celery, the blanched product is less nutritious anyway. Celery, celeriac: Keep’ close check for leaf spot (greyish brown irregular spotting of leaves and stems). This disease can spread very rapidly under cool conditions and heavy dew. A copper-based spray or zineb gives control which must be applied early enough to be effective. Tomatoes: Stop growth; pinch out terminal shoot. Commence very gradual defoliation to hasten ripening, starting with the lower leaves. Thinning: Complete such treatment now on all root crops so that remaining plants can develop properly. Brassica crops: Another thorough spraying against caterpillars and aphids is warranted — use acephate.

Fruit — apples: Do not mix varieties for storing, keep them in separate boxes. Pick the tree over several times, not all fruit ripens at the same time. For storage select slightly under-ripe fruit and handle carefully. Pears: Will not keep for very long. They will ripen and mature off the tree if picked under-ripe. Loganberries and allied berry fruit: Tips of shoots can be buried in soil (layered) if it is desired to increase production. Wrenching: Recommended where large trees and shrubs are to be shifted particularly if of the less common types. Sever all roots radiating from the base of the subject at a reasonable distance out and below it, depending on overall development and the species. Move in late winter to early spring if possible. Glasshouse: Clean off shading and

wash down glass inside and outside to allow maximum entry of light. Where heavy stocking with plants has existed over the past year fumigation of the whole house, utilising a smoke bomb, is recommended. Keep ventilation rigidly controlled as weather becomes less favourable. For all round general purposes a day time temperature of about 15.6 deg. C is suitable and at night time approximately lOdeg. C will do'. General (flower garden): Commence a good clean up, avoid deposits and accumulation of rubbish here and there; do not consign “noxious” weeds such as twitch to the compost heap, but get all unwanted material together and dump it at the refuse pit. Gardening in an orderly setting is much more pleasant and above all gives the whole area a cared for appearance. Bulbs: Choose quality bulbs of

reliable strains when making new purchases. Treat them gently: avoid drying out and bruising. When lifting any cf the old bulbs, corms, and tubers avoid scattering bulblets and cormlets everywhere; again, utilise only the best and healthiest. Ranunculus: For a long display of bloom, plant now, clawdown. Good drainage, cool position and moisture help produce the best results. Lilies: Give them a cool, moist, root run also but position so that the blooms receive the sun. Organic matter is most beneficial for these plants. Sweet peas: Can be sown now' where they are to flower in favourable locations; in boxes or pots elsew’here for transplanting in August. Apply up to 120 gm of lime per square metre and 30gm superphosphate to the soil. Cl i rysa nthemums and dahlias: Continue dead-heading.

and also dis-budding if quality blooms are desired. Watch for mites, aphids and mildew infection. The combination of acephate. and triforine will give good ; control. Lazctis: Sowing down of lawns on ■ new sections should be left ’ until all possible heavy and structural work has been; completed but in good timeso that it has fully germ!-) nated before the usual first; frosts hit the area. After a; good strike has beenachieved apply an overall) dressing of fertiliser 2:1ammonium sulphate: superphosphate, at 30g per square metre, which is also, the recommended seedingrate. Now is the time to,’ feed established lawns and; also apply caterpillar con-! trol, diazimon pills being’ widely used for the latter,, and a 31 mix of ammon-j ium sulphate and super--, phosphate for the former.) Sometimes however it necessary to vary or add to; this law-n food mix but) requirements are best; determined by periodic soil* testing. I