THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 204, 12 August 1932, Page 9

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Tomato seed may be sown in boxes for gardeners who prefer to raise their own plants. Sow the seed thinly in sandy soil and cover lightly, pressing the surface firm with a board or leveller. Small smooth varieties are Carter’s Sunrise and Holmers’ Supreme. Large varieties are Clondine Red and Market Favourite. One packet of seed will raise 250 plants. Plant early potatoes at once. Set artichokes in any corner that cannot be used for growing good crops. Prepare beds for a later sewing of pumpkins and cucumbers. The following root crop, may be set: Beet, carrots, swedes, turnips and onions. For salad crops sow now lettuce, mustard, cress, spring onions and endive and spinach. For spring transplanting sow cabbage, cauliflower, parsley, silver beet and leeks.

One of the most important jobs in the kitchen garden is the setting of onion seedlings. The ground should be well dug and manured before planting. Set the plants about nine inches apart and 12 to 15 inches between the rows. This will allow room for a small hoe to be worked among the plants. Potash is an important food of the onion crop and supplies should be incorporated in the soil.