THE KITCHEN GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 270, 29 October 1932, Page 3

THE KITCHEN GARDEN

Vegetable Plants to Set: Gardeners who cannot devote the time or space for growing vegetable seedlings may procure the following varieties at once for setting now:—Lettuce, kumeras, cabbage, leeks, onions, cauliflower, tomatoes, and red and silver beet. Dig the ground over well before setting and puddle the plants in. Potatoes should be earthed up when about six inches high and,if required, another crop planted. Plants That Require Attention: Strawberries should now be making great headway. The ground should be well hoed between the rows and blood and bone applied at the rate of 4oz. per square yard. Asparagus beds will require hand weeding and a dressing of agricultural salt. When cutting asparagus take all heads, small and large to maintain a continuous supply. Broad beans showing signs of rust may be sprayed with lime and sulphur. Seeds to Sow: Spring certainly brings with, it hosts of work. Here are other subjects that may be sown now:—Set in drills summer spinach, leeks, Brussel sprouts, borecole and curley greens, broccoli, parsley, mustard, cress and sweet corn. Sow in boxes covered with sheet glass, egg plant, salsify capsicum, celery and endive. Continue sowing succession crops of peas and beans. Runner beans should be planted at once.

, Root Crops to Set: The following are the best varieties for sowing now in drills. Care should be taken not to sow too thickly and so save labour in thinning. Carrots for a quick crop; sow Early Horn, for main crop Intermediate.

Parsnips both Hollow Crown or Student are good. Turnips: The early White Stone are always reliable, also garden swedes. Beetroot makes a delicious summer dish. The best variety is Crimson Globe or Turnip Rooted. Long Red is also popular, but takes more care when cooking.

Pumpkin, Marrows, Etc.: The weather being more settled, seeds of cucumbers, pumpkin and marrows can be safely sown. It is important that they are well in growth before the dry weather sets in. For small gardens the bush marrows are easily the best as they grow more compactly. Have you grown the apple shaped cucumber? This is a splendid cropper and is popular because of its, handy size. Fdr • good keeping pumpkin the Ironbark or Triamble are best. Sow the seeds in groups of three and thin out the weakest'. Summer Salads: With this idea in view, gardeners should prepare now. Radishes may be sown in the richest ground possible. Slow growing crops become tough and hot to the taste. Quickly grown crops are crisp and juicy. Mustard and cress may be broadcast in the one bed sowing the cress four days before the mustard. Lettuce, Tom Thumb and Mignonette are two compact varieties that are always crisp and fresh.