KITCHEN GARDEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 20 (Supplement)

KITCHEN GARDEN

We have been Having very suitable weather for growth lately. In fact, it could hardly be better. There has been no severe winds and several hard downpours of rain. There have been no very cold nights locally, although several fairly cold ones. The weather taken all round has been very good indeed.

The moist weather has brought the weeds on and there has been a renewed activity of work in the garden. Where the soil is heavy it will have enabled a good surface to be prepared. This should be kept stirred as often as possible. The benefit to the plants by this work cannot easily be overestimated.

Tomato planting has been done in quantities a little later than is usually the case. The season still is about two or three weeks late. Plants should make rapid growth now. This will be forwarded by proper pruning. The one stem system is the most favoured. Some growers still allow two or even three stems on a plant, but where early fruit is wanted the one stein system is the best. The fruit also ripens more gradually, and not all at once if the plants are grown this way. The plants may be given one stake each and tied to it, or they may be tied to a wire stretched along the row. The staking is more trouble and when done in quantities is inclined to be expensive. When followng the one stem system, all side growth or laterals as they arc usually called should be rubbed as soon as they appear, but the foliage itself should not be touched as that would retard the growth of the fruit. It may be removed about April to allow the sun to ripen off the last of the fruit, but not while there is any possibility of the fruit making further growth. Varieties grown nowadays are of the round smooth sorts and these produce very few mishapen and semi-crinkled ones. The corner bloom should be removed as it is nearly always deformeu. This may he seen as soon as it is set by its ugly shape and its crinkled skin. It will help the other fruit if it is removed and they will soon make up the weight as they will be correspondingly larger. The spraying of tomatoes is as necessary as the pruning of them. If the spot has had tomatoes in before the plants should be sprayed as soon as they arc planted, but if neither potatoes nor tomatoes have been planted in that, particular place the season before it will be time enough when the fruit has set. After that, however, they should be sprayed often enough to keep them covered with spray all the time. The preparation known as bordeau mixture is the best and is almost exclusively used for this purpose. Where potatoes are not planted they should be put in without further delay. The soil should now be moist enough to start them into rapid growth straight away.

Carrots and parsnips may still be sown with satisfactory results. Seeds of swedes should be sown. They may be sown in rows and thinned out later or else in beds to be transplanted, whichever method is most convenient.

Leeks should be sown for later transplanting. If some space is available that is not suitable for other purposes some mangold seeds may be sown. They will come in handy where fowls are kept and reduce the feed bill considerably.

Cabbage and cauliflower should be pown at intervals and planted out when ever space is available, small lots at a lime. This should bring better results than a big lot at once. Broccoli and savoy cabbage should be sown and planted out when ready. These are the most reliable winter greens.

Drumhead cabbage also may be sown but this usually comes to maturity in early autumn. Where the conditions are dry, green kale and silver beet are to be preferred as they are most resistant to blight and unfavourable weather.

Peas should be sown at regular intervals. Dwarf as well as climbing beans should be sown. Do not sow too thickly; they like space just now. The very early sown ones did not have much of a chance, but they should all come on well now.

Onions °hould now he made except in very backward localities or where seed is to be sown late to provide small onions for pickling. Celery may now be transplated with satisfactory results.

Pumpkins and marrow’s should he planted as space is available. Preserving melons as well as water melons should be sown now where suitable spots are available for them. Kumaras may now be planted with satisfactory results. They like warm weather conditions.

A planting of Cape gooseberries should be made now. They like warm light, well-drained soil.

Liquid manure may be applied tc rhubarb with good results.