PLANTING OUT IN HOT WEATHER

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 15, 18 January 1940, Page 18

PLANTING OUT IN HOT WEATHER

Where young plants have to be bedded out during hot, dry weather difficulty is often experienced in saving them till they take root in their new quarters. When this operation has to be done while the ground is dry and the weather hot, it is advisable to give the seedlings a good soaking before removing them from the seed bed. They should also be thoroughly watered in when planted. The best method perhaps is to partly fill in the soil' round the roots, then to fill up the hole with water, .finally filling in with fine soil after the water has drained away. A top layer of quite dry,.fine soil or sand is an advantage, acting as a mulch. It is also advisable, when a few plants only are being put out, to shade - them for a few days, till the roots start to function. This

may-bedone by placing a flower pot over each, but the pots should be removed when the weather is dull or wet and at night. If they are allowed to remain on all'the time the plants become drawn and weak and will suffer a se~ re check when exposed. A saucerlike depression left round each ; plant will facilitate watering. Mulching is recognised as a valuable method of conserving moisture and keeping the roots of plants cool during the summer season. It is not easy to spread a mulch among small seedlings which are planted fairly close together, but if the mulch is spread over the bed and the seedlings are planted through it afterwards, there will be no difficulty. It goes without saying that planting out is best done towards the end of the day, so that the plants may have the advantage of the cool night for a start. Avoid planting in the. heat of day so far as possible, and choose a dull, moist day in preference.