THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 23113, 12 November 1938, Page 23

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Many people have an idea that to grow marrows, pumpkins, gourds, and ridge cucumbers they must have a Leap of manure. This is about the worst condition in which these plants can be placed unless a great deal of soil is put over the manure for the plants to grow in. Ordinary garden soil with a mixture of farmyard or other manure will grow excellent crops, and, what is most important, far more marrows, etc., wall set up and mature when the plants have not too rich a soil. It is when the plants make too rank a growth that the crop is small. Lime should be worked into the soil when it is being prepared to receive the plants. For feeding purposes fertilisers should not be applied until the marrows or pumpkins are formed and well away. Then blood and bone can be worked in around the plants and be watered ’ in, or liquid animal manuie may be given—not too strong at the first applications. Bush marrows (white and green) are being grown, especially where the gardens are small. These varieties give much greater crops, and for table purposes the flavour is a great improvement on the long trailing varieties. When sowing the seed of these olanrs it is essential to plant the seed with the point downwards. This method tends to stop the seed rotting through the moisture gaining entrance, ana, moreover,.the shell of the.seed rema ns longer on the first two leaves, and by this means helps to protect them from adverse conditions. Keep the surface between all crops open at this stage. The hoe' is the best tool for this work. r .b.i .