WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 25701, 26 January 1946, Page 5

WORK IN THE GARDEN

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. . The most essential work at this season of the year is no doubt to be found in the vegetable garden, not only with the crops that are maturing for present use, but also with the planting and sowing of crops for the autumn and winter months, which should be carried out without delay. . . As the plots become vacant the soil should receive a dressing of lime; that is, if no lime was applied in the early spring for the cultivation of the summer crops. Also if compost is available which has been well broken down, a good dressing should •be forked into the surface, especially where the summer crop has been heavy. The sowing of carrots (Early Krop), which is practically coreless, or an early variety should be sown at once. Carrots are always better in flavour when allowed to remain in the ground and pulled when required. Turnips, garden swedes (Orange Jelly and White- Milan) will give a supply throughout the autumn and winter months Beetroot (turnip rooted) also can be sown. Winter spinach (prickly and perpetual) should also be sown; if possible sow where the position is warm and sheltered. Lettuce for winter use can also' be sown, and the following varieties ara the most successful for autumn and winter purposes in these districts:— Neapolitan '(winter market); Toin Thumb, and All the Year ißound. The planting of cabbage should be carried out at once, as these. plants enjoy a long season to be a success, especially to carry over the winter months. For autumn, Jersey Wakefield and Vanguard are recommended. The latter can be grown for winter work, as it is no doubt a far better cabbage than Drumhead for the table and will stand up to the most severe frost. Savoys (early and Drumhead) must be included and are a success in most gardens. Kale or borecole for winter work should be planted. Kale must have a long season of growth before the hard frosts appear, when the young growth is ideal for table U6e.

Autumn Giant cauliflower and Veitch's Self-protecting broccoli must also be planted without delay to be a success. Brussels sprouts should be well away into growth before^now, but if young, sturdy_ plants are available and the.position is a warm one, plants can be planted which will produce sprouts in the early spring months. It is most essential that the soil is made very firm when cultivating Brussels sprouts, otherwise {he sprouts will burst. ' It would be advisable to dust, the on/qns and carrots with chimney soot at this stage, to prevent mildew, etc., from attacking them. ' ; - Continue to plant celery and leeks in prepared trenches which have received plenty of rich and well-rotted material, either anima] manure or prepared compost. Chimney soot worked into the surface before planting will also be found beneficial. Owing to the climatic conditions, marrows and pumpkins have not as yet made much growth, but when the weather improves the plants will quickly come away into growth. Where the plants are showing flowers a little attention must be give'n, as they bear male and female flowers. The first to appear are generally males, the female following later. If the male flowers predominate, as was found last season, it will be advisable to pinch out the tips of the trailing shoots." This will encourage the formation of the female flowers.

You can also help the female flowers to set their fruit by hand fertilising, instead of taking a chance for the. bees and other insects to fertilise them. To hand fertilise is a simple nmtter. First of all pick a male flower, and after removing all its petals, push the pollin-covered centre core into the centre of the female flower. It is also essential a different male flower for each female. The difference between the male and the female flower is that the male has only an ordinary stem, but the female has a tiny marrow behind the petals. < It is not wise to apply too much artificial manures to the 'plants, as a large amount of seed is formed when too much artificial manure is applied. Animal manure, Nature's plant food, is no doubt the most suitable, especially in liquid form. . THE GLASSHOUSE. Those .who are cultivating-the perpetual flowering carnations for'winter blooming should see that their plants have not become pot-bound'. If this is allowed the plants will immediately commence to flower arid the '• best flowers will be over "before the winter months arrive. These delightful flowering plants should be kept growing so as to build up strong, sturdy plants before commencing to bloom. Any cold glasshouse will produce plenty of blooms throughout the winter months, if' plenty ctf ventilation is given and the plants are kept clean and" not coddled in any way. Green, aphis and thrip are the worst pests, and aphis can easily be kept under by an occasional spraying with Black Leaf 40, and thrip cannot live -ilf the foliage is kept moist A spraying with clean water in the morning or evening will be found sufficient to keep this pest under, hut this will not -be required throughout the winter months. To keep your plants clean from fungus diseases, such as fairy rings, etc..- a spraying with common salt, one tahlespoo'n -mixed in one gallon of ■ water, when the sun has left the plants, will be found beneficial about every two or three weeks. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT: "Puzzled," Sawyers Bay.—(l) The tubers submitted are good samples, but are showing signs of disease. (2) Your, cultivation as' stated was on right linos but it is found that seed potatoes saved from the same land for two or three years often deteriorate, especially early varieties.. T would advise yon to change your seed. (4) The *oil sifbm : *+ed does not contain enough humus. Work in plenty of good rich material, as animal manure or* well-prppared compost. F.S.P,