VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19007, 7 May 1924, Page 7

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Sow cress, onions, broad beans, and lettuces. Plant spinach, cabbages, cauliflowers, and strawberries.

Jerusalem Artichokes.—When the tubers of these are nearly full grown a commencement may be made in lift ing a quantity for present consumption. When the foliage withers and the stalks become dry they can be cut down to the ground, and the tubers can remain in the ground and be lifted as required.

Salsify and parsnips are quite safe in the ground until required unless the ground is needed for another purpose.

Winter Greens.—These are going to be very scarce this year, and there is important work to be done among them now if we would have them at their best during the winter and early spring. If they are in good health and strong now, and they are properly treated, they will give a good account of themselves later on; but if neglected now they will probably fail to produce food for the table at all. The great thing is to keep the plants sturdy and healthy. If left alone they will probably produce plenty of foliage and become weakly as, a result. Go over your plants now, and if you find a decaying leaf remove it, also run the Dutch hoe through the surface soil and rake off the rubbish. You will thus sweeten the soil and let in air and sunlight to the roots and the plants will respond wonderfully. Then, again, by the removal of the decaying leaves you will open the way for a nice free current of air about the plants. Two or three times should this be done through the autumn, and when they are growing thus strongly it will take more than the average winter to injure them. If this work is undertaken it will be well repaid.