WHAT TO DO IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN IN OCTOBER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20834, 28 September 1929, Page 7

WHAT TO DO IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN IN OCTOBER.

Written for the Otago Daily Times.

By John Fleming, F.R.H.S., N.D.H (N.Z.).

October wet is what a gardener should get. October showers bring forth November flowers. October and November between them make bread for all the year. The enthusiastic grower will find plenty to do during October. Nearly everything cultivated in the kitchen garden will require constant attention. Many seeds have to he sown, and those already in the soil will have germinated, and the seedlings will need a good deal of looking after in the way of hoeing and protection from the enemies which are sure to abound. Globe Artichokes.—Suckers should now be planted out, a distance of five feet being allowed between the rows and four feel from plant to plant. Mulch with long stable manure when planting is completed.

Jerusalem Artichokes.—Towards the end of the month all the side growths should be removed, and only the strongest central stem left. Frequent hoeings will be the only attention necessary afterwards. Asparagus.—The permanent beds should be kept free from weeds. When it is intended to make new beds, seeds may he sown during this month on wellprepared ground, where the plants should remain for two years before being placed in their permanent quarters. French Beans.—Make a sowing during the first week in the month in five-inch pots, and raise in gentle heat, harden off preparatory to planting out in the open. Another sowing should lie made towards the end of the month, and one outside also on a warm border.

Broad Beans.—Make a sowing in the open. Those raised in boxes should be planted out in double rows, one foot being allowed between them and three feet between the pairs of rows. To ward off slugs place plenty of finely sifted cinder ashes round the plants. Beetroot.—Make a sowing of Globe beet. Tiie main crop must not be sown until at the end of the month.

Broccoli.—Sow now on well-prepared ground. Distribute the seeds evenly and thinly, and label each variety. Brussels Sprouts.—Make a sowing for late crops. Cabbage and Cauliflower. —The same remarks apply to these as to Brussels sprouts. The spring cabbage bed should receive attention; remove all decaying foliage, and apply a sprinkling of nitrate of soda during showery weather. Cardoon.—Prepare trenches as for celery. Sow the seeds thinly in a drill in the centre, covering the seeds about one inch deep. Celery.—Young plants which wore pricked out in September should now be thoroughly hardened off. Some of the