A hectic time ahead for sowing and spraying

Press, 16 September 1986, Page 13

A hectic time ahead for sowing and spraying

Assuming that the spring frosts are over and the soil is starting to warm, this should be a good time to start your spring gardening. A hectic time is ahead with seed sowing, spraying and fertilising. Carrots, onions, peas, spinach and radish can be sown for early summer harvest, provided it is well prepared and well drained.

Do not sow beans or other warm weather crops until mid-October. Remaining winter green crops should be dug in with the addition of sulphate of ammonia to aid breakdown.

Young seedlings are often attacked by downy mildew at this time of year, with yellowing of leaves and poor growth being typical symptoms. Spraying with copper oxychloride or Bravo will

help overcome this problem.

Should aphids or mealy bug be a problem, spray with maldison or orthene and use slug and snail pellets to protect seedlings. Soggy and wet beds should be raised by adding of peat and compost to improve drainage. Astors, callendula, carnations, clarkis, cornflower, dianthus, hollyhock, marigold, nasturtium, nemisia, pansy, phlox, snapdragons, strawflower and wallflower can be sown in trays in preparation for planting out. FRUIT TREES Fruit trees require close attention with spraying. It is during this period that fungus infections can invade growing shoots and then continue to develop throughout the

rest of the season. Diseases like leaf curl on peaches can only be controlled by spraying with copper oxychloride during bud swelling and bud burst.

The other major devastating fungus disease is brown rot, which invades fruit during flowering and early fruit formation stages.

It is necessary to follow a strict programme throughout bud swelling to petal form stage to ensure a reliable crop. This is particularly important in warmer northern districts where fungus diseases are more prevalent. Saprol is an extremely effective fungicide against brown rot and should be applied during the blossom period through to fruit formation at intervals of 10 to 14 days.