VEGETABLE PLOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE PLOTS.

SEASONABLE OPERATIONS. With more favourable weather work in every part of the garden will come in with a. rush. In the vegetable garden particularly, sowing and planting operations have been much retarded by the heavy rains and sodden state of the soil. ♦ * Many vegetables that in more favourable seasons would by this time be well advanced in growth could scarcely be sown with much prospect of success while the soil was in such condition. During September cold adverse weather is often experienced, so that in sowing early crops discretion needs to be exercised, the more tender crops being given the warmest and most sheltered positions. From this time onward, however, no effort should be spared by successional sowings and plantings to keep the garden well furnished with seasonable crops. PREPARING THE GROUND. In addition to the more hardy varieties of vegetable, the preparation of the ground for the [slanting out, or sowing of cucumbers, marrows,! pumpkins and similar trailing plants, should be made. But, although it is well to have the ground well prepared beforehand, little is gained by sowing in the open ground too early or until there is sufficient warmth in the soil to ensure germination of the seed. So much depends upon the condition of the soil, situation and metho'd of raising the plants that it is almost impossible to state definitely when the seed should be sown. If raised under boxes and covered with glass plants can invariably be successfully raised much earlier than when sown in the open, as the plants can be protected until they are sufficiently hardened to stand exposure. WARMTH FOR THE PLANTS. - Ihe method usually adopted by Chinese and other market growers is to protect the plants or seed by covering with a bottomless box or kerosene tin, cut to a depth of five or six inches, and covered with glass. This method naturally gives added warmth to the soil, and ensures more rapid germination and growth. In seasons such as the present, some such protection is essential, even where sown in the most favourable situation and soil. It is well to have the whole of the ground dug over and well broken up so that the roots can extend unchecked. This is in every way preferable to digging holes where the seed is to be sown, as such small patches of soil soon become parched as soon as dry weather sets in, necessitating frequent watering to avoid failure. CUCUMBERS AND MARROWS. Cucumbers thrive best in rich soil, welldecomposed stable or other animal manures being the best stimulant, though, if this is not procurable, well-decomposed vegetablo matter with occasional waterings" with liquid manure will ensure healthy growth. Vegetable marrows will grow well and fruit abundantly in almost any good garden soil. For these well-rotted manure or decayed vegetable matter can be used with advantage. For small gardens the bush marrow is a useful variety to grow, as they * take up much less space than the trailing varieties. For pumpkins and squashes very rich soil is not an advantage, as over-strong luxuriant growth often results in but scanty crops. With plenty of loose soil for the roots to extend, pumpkins will grow and crop better than when supplied with abundance of manure. THE MELON PATCHES. For rock, water, or pie melon little will be gained by sowing until well into next month, while they can be safely sown up to the first week in November. These being semi-tropical plants, to ensure healthy germination and growth it is necessary to have warmth in the soil as well as in the atmosphere. If sown too early the plants often become stunted and rarely recover sufficiently to develop a crop. These succeed best when grown in good loamy soil that has been manured for a previous crop. The soil should be made firm, but no further manure should bo applied before sowing. The best soil for water melons is that of a sandy or gritty nature, and for these a little extra well-rotted manure can lie supplied with advantage. The soil where the seed is to be sown should be broken up to. a good depth and a nice fine surface formed. Although the usual practice'is to form mounds for sowing a level fiiir f nce is preferable if the soil is well drained, as the plants are less liable to be injured by harsh winds, and not so easily affected by dry weather. RUNNER BEANS. The ground for scarlet and other runner beans should be prepared in readiness for sowing. For this crop a good plan is to dig out a trench at least two spits or more in depth and eighteen inches in width, and place in the bottom of each trench a good layer of manure and fork it over. Break up and refill with the soil taken out, mixing with it a good sprinkling of superphosphate or blood and it.* f;i|in,r vpicppds until