The Garden

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23111, 27 January 1945, Page 6

The Garden

Work For The Week

Marrows, squashes and pumpkins are making very poor growth this season. Strong growth must develop before they begin to set crops. Where they are not doing well an application of liquid manure consisting of a dessert-spoon-ful of sulphate of ammonia to two gallons of water will work wonders. Care must be taken to see that the roots are thoroughly moist before manuring. The best results will be obtained if three applications are given over 51 period of two weeks. When the seed-bearing flowers appear on the lateral shoots they should be fertilised by smearing the centre of the flowers with pollen from the smaller flowers. All garden refuse should be taken to the compost heap and ultimately returned to the soil. Twigs and diseased material should always be burned and the ashes put on the heap. As the heap is being built up dressings of lime, superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia should be incorporated for the purpose of hastening decomposition and enriching the product. The necessity for periodical turnings and spraying for flies should not be overlooked. The yellow fleshed turnips do better in autumn than the white varieties, and small sowings should be made from time to time. A light dusting of superphosphate scattered along the rows at sowing time will greatly improve the crop. As onions show signs of being ready for lifting the heads should be bent over a week or two before the operation. When harvested it is of the utmost importance that the cron should be dried rapidly and thoroughly. Keep cool and dry in an airy shed and use those with thick necks first.

Examine tomato plants from time to time and see that the early ties do not strangle the plants. Keep firmly staked and shake the flowers gently to assist pollination. While it may be advantageous to remove any leaves that are dying off or are shading the trusses on no account strip the plants. Pinch out the centre growth a leaf or two above the fourth truss.