The Home Garden

Hutt News, Volume 18, Issue 4, 28 June 1944, Page 3

The Home Garden

(By D. K." Pritchard, Instructor of Vegetable Culture, N.Z. Depart-? j ik* ii I, of Agriculture, whQ writes for tho Home Gardeners* column in (lie "N.Z. Journal o£ Agricull ure.") \\ <;[;Sw !•<)!: JE.XY 1 sn.i\G ('A!:i:.\(i i'] i J>urin•; duiy when Iho soil i,s prolvaldy ai or n<;ar it:; (oniperal in*' - . i( ma.v hi' no: iced with this variety of cabbage, from which the earliest spring culling rs rightly otpected, Dial growth is very much Mowed down and development towards hearting considerably impeded; also lliaf. Hie outside leaves nt'f turning yellow. r J l !iis condition must not be interpreted to moan that the stage o!' inaiurily lias been reached. On tho contrary, attention should ;it. oner- he given to two factors —proper drainage and the lack of sufficient', nitrogen. If the drainage is at fault P will be advisable to see that the arc? where the plants are growing fe relieved of any surplus water. E\~c. *, liorally wet conditions which obL; in for prolonged poriods will proVo disastrous for early spring maturity cf the plants, and will inevitably be n-sponsi b!. for the starting of rootrot. rro\ided drainage has 'been sati:r.tory, nitrogen m:iy be applie I prefoiably, at this season, as a pinch of nitrate soda to each plant. li sJiouM be lighj.ly worked into the soil under the outside leaves and el'?s>: to llie root of the plant. If this none, an improvement in J-'.:" wth may be noticed in a very .short time. SUMMER CAI.il JAG E Towards tho middle of July preparations should be made for .sowing the seed of a cabbage variety to follow on with Flower of Spring, which may now be in the garden. For this: purpose Golden Acre is specially recommended. if the seeds sown or the plants purchased arc tru.e to typo, the product will be similar to Copenhagen Market, but smaller, with few outside leaves. It can be planted closer, .IS-rM in. between the rows, and Mill, between the plants in the row. Blood and bono manure 2 parts and superphosphate I part mixed together and applied "it the rate of {lb per scj. yard; preferably a fortnight befoi'e planting and worked into tho soil will be suitable Straight nitrogenous fertilisers aye rarely required for this variety of cabbage. Plants mav be grown in-a •> small seedling box II to l> in. deept .. I V s CARHOTS 5( In warm districts, or where a coUiw paratively light, soil obtains will not "set" readily, carrot se£d may be sown; but for success in ve]r, early sowings a well-drained bed,Jis necessary. Where shallow top s|il only is available in which to make a sowing, and where it is not practicable to form a raised bed, a sliojijtrooted variety such as Early Hojrn or Early Short Horn will be suitable. No fresh stable manure or farmyard manure should be dug in immediate- ?• ly before seed sowing. A light drfps ing of superphosphate, _ ozs per $q. yard, will gnerally be sufficient fort? i ser to produce a good crop in a w«ll cultivated garden soil. This should be broadcast over the area to 'be sown and raked in. <• TURNIPS \\ At the same time and under similar weather and soil condifrioins a sowing of early turnips may -'be made. The quick-maturing Early White Milan or Milan Purple' Top will develop quickly into nice-sisjed roofs if the seed is sown in a wePdrained, sunny part of the garden. In rows 1-in apart the seed shoirld be sown sparse 1- - if this is doije, ? thinning will not be necessary. , ■ * This is another of tho turnip-rotat-ed crops, the seed of which, m.'ty .be sown as soon as soil conditions perI mil. While the ordinary depth .'at j which the seed may be sown is J-in, half ihaf depth will be sufficient for a very early crop. (This remark applies generally where seed is sown in rows for early cropping). Darkest Globe and Derwent Globe are j varieties which, under usual garden soil conditions, will return good yields. If 1 lie land has not boon limed for the previous crop an apj plication of 2 oz per sq. yd of bed I would be beneficial. Agricultural I lime is to be preferred. ! BROAD BEANS I liome gardeners who desire a crop |of broad beans during late spring or |early summer, and who have not yet planted the seed, would do well to have the operation attended to without delay. The crop thrives best tinder cool conditions and in a rather heavy, well-drained, fertile soil. In a, trench in deep seed may be spaced I to <> ins apart and planted to a depth of •_! in. If more than one row is planted the distance between them should not be less than .'lft. Don't overlook digging in a green manure crop early enough to allow it to be mainly decomposed before planting a crop on top of it. Don't omit that "pinch" of niti'ate of soda to the spring cabbages; it will be of material assistance during the cold periods. ;

. in-] STRONG r.o strong ant] of ;i good courage; but not. afraid, neither be thou ..dismayed; for the Lord thy Cod is With tlu\* Avlufeliersoever thou goest. r * ■ " 1 —Joshua i., -9.