WORK AMONG VEGETABLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

WORK AMONG VEGETABLES.

PREPARING WINTER CROPS.

The dry weather at last appears to have sufficiently broken to allow of sowing and planting to be carried on with every prospect of success. In ground that has been well broken up especially, the recent showers, together with those that fell during the last week, have moistened the soil to a sufficient depth to ensure the rapid germination of the seed. In preparing the ground for the various crops, however, the character of the soil and the nature of the crop must be considered. After the present month there is often an excess of moisture, instead of a lack of it, so that if the land is at all of a stiff, retentive nature, better results may be attained by forming raised beds, instead of sowing on the flat land. In volcanic soils, or land of a light, friable nature, this may not be necessary, but in stiffer soils raised beds provide a free outlet for surface moisture and gives greater warmth to the soil. For such crops as turnips, carrots, spinach, lettuce, onions, beet, and similar crops, as well as for raising cabbage, cauliflower, and other colworts, raised beds for autumn sowing are an advantage. Successional Sowing. To keep up a sucession, care must be exercised in timing the sowings. Boot crops especially require care in this respect, for although most crops, during the autumn and winter remain longer in a state of usefulness than during hot, dry weather, there is never the same tenderness and sweetness when they are fully matured, as when they are about half frown, or have reached a useful stage. his applies to most root crops, so that the frequency of sowing must be regulated by the varieties sown. Turhips are essentially an autumn and winter vegetable, and successional sowings are necessary to meet requirements during these months. Turnips are naturally rapid growers and are usually the first to mature. They require to be grown in rich soil, and are at no time more palatable than when quickly grown. Carrots sown at this time in deeply-worked soil, should germinate quickly, and mako rapid growth, while another sowing should be made at about the end of the month. The latest sowing of these is difficult to raise, on account of the ravages of slugs that often play havoc with the yorng plants as soon as they appear above ground. If sown on raised beds, however, they can be mere easily protected. Manchester table, oxhearts, and scarlet intermediate are each excellent varieties for table use. Characteristics of Parsnip. Parsnip are longer in developing their crops, but when grown in deeply-worked ground they remain in a useful condition for a much longer period. These are naturally deep-rooting plants, often penetrating from 18in. to 2ft., or even more, in the soil, so that to obtain really fine, clean roots, the soil requires to be well broken up to quite that depth. Ground that has been previously manured for potatoes pr similar crops usually retain sufficient food. properties to grow these roots successfully. Spinach is a crop that, by judicious successional sowing, may be had in use almost throughout the year. This crop naturally succeeds best, and continues to crop over a longer period when grown in rich soil. For late sownig the winter variety is usually recommended, but in our mild climate the summer variety can be grown successfully in any suitable soil and situation until well into the autumn. For later sowing, however, the prickly, or winter variety, is the best, as it is sufficiently hardy to stand our worst winter weather. Eeviving Established Colworts. Cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, and onions should be sown to meet requirements. Established plants of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and other colworts that have survived the dry weather, and the ravages of the fly, should bo given every assistance. Many of these often recover sufficiently after rain to form good heads, and at this time, when the gardens are so bare of crops, are too useful to be cast aside. An occasional sprinkling of nitrate of soda will greatly assist in their recovery and growth. After such a prolonged dry period healthy young plants of the brassica family are difficult to procure, but as soon as plants are obtainable a good bed should be planted. Meanwhile thoroughly manure and prepare the gronr \ in readiness for the plants. Weeds at this time will spring up apace, so that the seed beds will need constant watching, and as soon as the seedlings appear above ground, handweeding and hoeing will need frequent attention. Celery is now making rapid headway, especially the earliest planted, which have been kept well supplied with moisture. Nothing is gained by earthing, however, until the plants are well advanced in growth.