GARDEN NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 189, 11 August 1945, Page 6

GARDEN NOTES

(By “Ngaio.”) Ground should be prepared for vegetables now, as soon as it is in a workable condition; if wet and sticky it is best left alone until it is crumbly and pliable. fcpeed up the turning in of green crops wherever possible in order to give the soil time to digest its nourishment before replanting. Peas will come up quite well in cold weather though the seeds may rot if too much rain falls after they are in. Peas like plenty of humus in the soil auu will do well in ground which lias just grown a crop of leeks. A lot of fibrous rooty matter is left behind when the leeks arc harvested and this soon turns into nourishment for peas. Another point to remember about peas is that they are deep rooting, and will go down some distance in search of food and water —the ground should be well dug to enable them to penetrate easily. Jt is not advisable to scatter superphosphate in the drills for peas as the roots of the young seedlings are delicate. This fertiliser is better administered when the plants are from four to six inches in height. Some good compost will make a good cover for the seeds and a dusting of lime can be given on the surface of the row. Carrots must not be sown in wet soil but a slightly raised bed can be made and constantly worked over till it is of a fine tilth and fairly dry. Work in some super and wood ashes, mixing them well with the soil. Short stump rooted varieties such as Early Horn are the best to put in how. Sow thinly and when they are up, leave the carrots in the ground until they are of a usable size and then make several thinnings, always removing the largest ones. Dieticians tell us that the carrot has the highest nutritive qualities when only half grown, so see that they are eaten when young and fresh. A pinch of lettuce seed can be put in from time to time, but at present it should be sown in a box with a piece of glass over it to give it a start. Lettuces must be quickly grown to be good and good feeding is essential right from the ! beginning. Odd corners can be used for transplanting the young seedlings into, and as they have.not an extensive rooting system, their food can be put in holes directly beneath each plant. Nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia can be used as stiumlants later, but care should be taken not to use these two tonics too often as they have a bad effect upon the soil of the gar- , den rendering it sticky and unworkable if used to excess. Be content to have your lettuces perhaps not quite so big as the next door neighbour, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing that they are grown under natural conditions and your soil is not being spoilt. Choose a position for lettuce which gets plenty of sunshine at this r time of the year, but as the weather - gets warmer a semi-shaded situation i will be best.