VEGETABLE CROPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS

WEATHER AND THE SOIL With, .ordinary weather the sowing of many varieties, of vegetable crops required .for. spring .or summer use would, ere this, have been accomplished. This seaton, however, owing to the frequent and heavy rains and unfit state of the soil it has been a very difficult matter, unless in soils of a very light, porous nature, to raiso many of the crops with any degree of success. One of the chief difficulties in wet, winter weather is to place the soil in anything like a satisfactory condition for tho sowing of many of the finer seeds, but even if successfully raised, protecting the young seedling plants from the -ravages of slugs and other pests in such weather is no easy matter, as little hoeing can be done. The surface is saturated, while the effect of any preventive material applied is quickly annulled by the rains. NEEDS OF EARLY CROPS For early crops, much depends upon the condition of the Boil at the time of sowing. At this season it cannot be placed in too good a condition, for when deeply and well worked excess of moisture is easily disposed of, so that after about a week of fine, drying weather the soil will be sufficiently drained to allow of sowing and planting, though naturally the more favourable the soil and situation the better will be the results^obtained. The most successful growers of early crops are those who note carefully the condition of the soil at the time of sowing, not working the ground when it is sodden with moisture, but when sufficiently dry and friable, so that the drills can be drawn to an even depth and the seeds covered without the soil becoming puddled. This is one of the advantages of slightly-raised beds for winter and early spring crops, as the drills can be drawn and the seed sown without treading upon the sown ground. For later-sown crops, this method of culture is not necessary, for as the season advances there is little risk of any excess of moisture. Early-sown peas, broad beans and other fairly hardy crops are still holding their own, thqpgh growth is naturally more slow than if more favourable weather prevailed. Early potatoes, with the exception of those growing in the most favourable positions, have suffered a severe check, the young growth being badly cut with the late severe frosts. PRUNING AND SPRAYING Although sowing is better deferred for a time, there is plenty of other work in the garden that needs attention. The pruning of all fruit trees should be completed as soon as possible, and after gathering up and burning the prunings the trees should receive a thorough dressing with the most effective emulsions recommended for winter spraying. The ground around the trees, too, should be thoroughly broken up and if necessary well manured. All vacant ground should be manured and deeply dug up or trenched in readiness for spripg cropping. In digging irr manure for most plants it is well that it should be well porated with the soil to a depth of about nine or ten inches. The plants will then derive the full benefit of the material used. DEEP-ROOTING PLANTS Deep-rooting plants, or plants that are likely to suffer for tho want of moisture in dry weather, should have a supply of manure deep enough to allow tho roots to fcod upon when they have reached to their full depth. Root crops especially, such as deep-rooting carrots, parsnips, beet, salsify and similar crops should have the manure placed well down, so as to encourage straight, instead of forked roots to form. The best soil for such crops, however, is ground that has been deeply worked and well manured for a previous crop. When manure is applied near the surfaco for theso crops, there is always a tendency for the plants to produce branched, irregular roots, or what in gardening parlance are termed finger and toes, instead of one clean, long roots. In sowing seed at this season it is always advisable to sow a little more thickly, and not quite as deeply as when tho season is mors advanced. A little less covering at this time results in more rapid formation of tho seed and better growth. CUCUMBERS AND MARROWS Cucumbers and marrows for early planting should bo sown. For early planting these are best raised in pots, three or four seeds being placed in 4in. pots and grown on until they become well established and sufficiently hardened for planting outside. With reasonable care in planting plants raised in this way can bo •transferred to the soil without checking their growth. But even when raised in this way it is better when planting early to protect tho plants with boxes or other vessels. A sowing of tomatoes for general planting should now be made, when there is not the convenience of a groenhouso or frame, a box filled with good soil and with glass in a warm position will raise the plants successfully.