THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19780, 29 October 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

SUCCESSiONAL SOWINGS. In spite oi occasional cold snaps and heavy rains, most vegetable crops are making satisfactory growth. It is during the spring and early summer months that the results of good, cultivation are most noticeable, for when raised in grounds that have been deeply worked and manured there is little difficulty in obtaining healthy growth. Deeply worked soil not only provides a more ready outlet for superfluous moisture, but allows the air and warmth to permeate the soil and assist root growth. WEEDING AND THINNING. At this time extra care should be needed in weeding and thinning out of seedling crops as well as keeping the ground frequently stirred. Tho thinning ou.t of the plants should be commenced as soon as they have made two or three of their rough leaves, allowing sufficient space between each for the plants to develop. Thinning is especially necessary with root crops 6uch as carrots, parsnips, long-rooted beet, and similar crops, as they rarely make long, clean roots if they are in any way crowded. If there are any gaps in the rows, such varieties as beet, silver beet, parsnips, and spinach, can be 'successfully transplanted, provided they are carefully lifted with all the roots intact and planted while there is sufficient moisture in the soil. The present is a suitable time to sow turnips, carrots, beet, silver beet, scorzonera, salsify, spinach, lettuce, leeks, onions for pickling; or for salads, also cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and other colworts- The present, too, is a suitable time to sow sea kale, to provide plants for bleaching. VALUE OF SEA KALE. It is surprising that this dainty vegetable is not grown more extensively. Even as a market vegetable. When once good crowns are produced it is more easily bleached and made ready for table use than celery, and would, without doubt, meet with a ready sale at a good payable price. There are many warm, sandy flats along the eastern coast that should grow this crop to perfection, especially as sea weed provides an excellent manure for the crop. It can, however, be grown in almost any good garden soil. The seed should be grown in drills from 15in. to 18in. apart, and as soon as the plants are a few inches high they should be thinned to about 6in. apart, the main object being to encourage one strong crown to form on each plant. Any weak shoots that grow out below the main crown should be removed as they grow.

Once strong crowns are obtained the bleaching is a simple matter, *,aS the plants can be lifted art 3 placed in soil fairly close together in a darkened frame, or in boxes placed in a darkened room. They can also be bleached by covering the plants with about lOin. to a foot of light soil, or other suitable material that will exclude the light. By .adopting both methods of bleaching a succession is maintained for a longer period. SEASONAL CROPS. From this time onward no effort should be spared to keep up a succession of useful crops, such as peas, beans, spinach anu others that last only a few weeks, when ready for use. Sowings of these should be made at intervals of from three to four weeks according to the varieties and only in such quantities as will meet requirements. .There is no advantage in sowing at one time more vegetables than can be used in the fresh state. v It is far better to keep up a supply by sowing more freequently in smaller quantities. Plants for salads will now be in increasing demand, and of these few can take the place of well-grown lettuce. In making further sowings of these, the seed should be put in ground that has been made rich with manure. The plants should be allowed to grow where sown. Thinning will, of course, be necessary, so as to allow the plants sufficient space to develop good heads. The plants that are thinned out may be transplanted successfully, provided they are planted in rich soil and not allowed to suffer for the want of moisture. • EARTHING-UP AND STAKING. The earthing-up of peas, beans, potatoes cabbages, and other crops should have attention, also the staking of all crops requiring support. Scarlet and other runner beans should be staked soon after they appear above ground. These are among the most useful and profitable of summer vegetables, as, from two sowings at intervals of four to five weeks, useful pods can be obtained throughout the summer and well into the autumn. The chief objection to growing runner beans is the difficulty in providing stakes, but when these are not obtainable, netted wire makes an excellent support. Failing this, two or three strong uprights placed at the end of the rows, with battens or wire strained along the top and near the ground, and string taken up about 9in. apart, will provide all the support required. In sowing water, rock and pie melons some protection will be necessary until the plants become sufficiently advanced i-and hardened to stand * ,