GARDENING NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1938, Page 12

GARDENING NOTES

(BY “WELL WISHER”). In the vegetable garden, all spent crops such as peas, beans, potato should be cleared away and the soil prepared for Winter greens. It is easy to keep putting off until to-mor-row what we should do to-day, but if we are going to keep up the vegetable supply in the Winter, the opportunities that showery weather gives us must be valued and made use of. To plant out cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts or any members of the brassica family during hot and dry weather is not conducive to success, and we have to choose damp and dull days and so give them every opportunity to root, otherwise watering freely will have to be resorted to. Cabbages need to be grown in a well worked soil that has been enriched for a previous crop. It is also wise to study the rotation of crops so that we will produce the best. It is unwise to grow similar crops repeatedly in the same soil, a rotation with regular leguminous crops such as peas or beans should be practised in the vegetable garden. Eor instance, we could follow up early peas or potatoes with cabbage or curly greens, lettuce could follow French beans, or fibrous rooted vegetables and long taprooted vegetables could be grown alternately. in order that the soil might be drawn upon at different depths. Lime is an essential for all crops in the vegetable garden, and cannot, be done without. The continual cropping vear after vear. the congestion of growth will surely rob the soil and cause it. to become tired and sick and make it a breeding den for all diseases. Chemically lime acts as a neutralising agent, and in preventing acidity encourages the action oi the beneficial soil bacteria.

When planting the different members of brassica, family it is often an advantage to dip them in a weak nicotine sulphate solution, so as to help them to combtit the different pests. Plant about. IS inches apart so that the soil can be worked up to the plants to encourage stem rooting, and thus increase root area. It stands to icason that plants will flourish if they can draw plant food from different directions and not be dependent on the little super or other manure placed directly under the plant. We can still expect to get some dry and hot vGather. and the growing plain, should never bo starved or stinted lor uatei. ■>r otherwise they will receive a check in growth from which they may nevei recover. Constant cultivation between the rows will help to conserve moisture and keep down all weeds. It is a mistake to allow the vegetables or other plants to come into competition with weeds, because weeds will win in the end and choke out all other growth. Celery and leeks also need constant watering to keep Jfliem growing; a check in growth is a very serious matter as it induces them to run to seed, or perhaps become a prey to the green or celery fly. Plants that are healthy will combat disease and we have to do our part to keep them healthy; soot dusted along the rows twice weekly will keep the celery (ly nt bay and give him a rough time. If wc have not. already done so. we can sow spinach for Winter use. It is preferable to make small sowings frequently than one large sowing. I believe the best variety to grow is “Victoria.” and is good for sowing at all seasons. No particular kind of soil is needed, provided it is well worked find enriched with manure. A good plan is to sow the seed in the shade| of runner beans or green peas so that the young plants will be sheltered and shaded from drying winds and hot sun. Failing this, cover the seed bed with branches of evergreens and prevent the evaporation of soil moisture. When planting out later, place the plants about a foot apart, but if possible sow the seed where it. is to grow, later thinning out to the required distance Radishes can still be sown and will come in when the vegetable supplies are falling off. They do best sown in new ground. Try “White Icicle.” They are a splendid long variety. The pulling of rhubarb must now cease if we want to produce an early crop in the Spring. It is very hard for some to see good stalks of this valuable vegetable going to waste, but just console yourself with the thought that it is not going to waste, but it is building up plant food so that, it will come away very strongly when other vegetables are at a premium. A dressing of superphosphate and sulphate of potash will help to increase next season's crop; never let any crowns go to seed, as this is fatal.

Marrows, pumpkins, and cucumbers should now be setting their fruits. They are all gross feeders, and need an ample supply of water. Sometimes during damp or wet weather the fruits fail to set, because pollenising insects are not abundant at such times, and non-fertilisation of the flower is the result. Before a female flower (that is those with the small embryo marrows attached) can mature and become a marrow, it must be fertilised with the pollen from the male flower. This fertilisation can only take place by insects, wind, or by artificial means. Where bees arc scarce, hand fertilisation must, be resorted to. and is best accomplished by picking a male flower that is fresh and covered with pollen and then rubbing a little of this pollen over tho pistil of the female flower This is best done on a dry day when the pollen is dry as it is then easily dusted and removed from the one to the other. When picking marrows or pumpkins to store for the inter months, try them first to see if they are ripe l.y pricking them with your finger nail. If any marks are left they are too soft Io keep and are not matured. The Spring crops of shallots and early onions should be harvested as soon as they mature and ground cleared up and dug deeply for a further supply of greens for salads. Cress can still be sown and lettuce planted out.

Lettuce thrive best in a rich soil, and they must, be encouraged to continue growth as rapidly as possible, in order to have them tender and palatable. To induce this rapidity three conditions are essential, viz., rich soil, warmth, and moisture. These conditions are generally assured in early Autumn and late Spring, and it is in these seasons that lettuce can be successfully grown. All seeds for next season's crops should be harvested as soon as ripe. There is always a. tendency to gather peas that arc left on the dry stalks by chance. This is a mistake, as some of the best pods should be selected and earmarked for seed. Gathering at random can only be condemned as it leads to deterioration. Always save and sow the best of seed, and you can expect good plants. This is true of every branch of horticulture, and is practised by nurserymen and leadings seedsmen. On ground that will not be required fo.f several months, it is a good plan to sow a leguminous green, manure crop to improve the fertility.