VEGETABLE CROPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 178, 30 July 1932, Page 17 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS

ASPARAGUS BEDS By the end of the present month asparagus beds, more especially the moreestablished plots, will be benefited by good top-dressing of some stimulating manure. The quantity of manure required. however, depends in a great measure upon the age and condition of the plants. In beds that have been thoroughly prepared before planting the roots find ample food during the first, or even during the second, season with but little assistance in top-dressing. It is as the age increases and larger sprouts are produced that increased stimulants are required to enable the asparagus roots to continue to produce the strength needed for table use. At this time the beds should be cleaned of all weeds, lightly forking between the plants with the band fork so as not to injure and disturb the crowns in the operation. Any mulching with stable or other animal manure is better deferred until next month, and if the land is of a heavy nature the end of the month is quite e-arly enough, as mulching tends to keep the soil too sodden and cold. In light, free soils there is not the same risk, so that mulching can be safely applied during the present month. Artificial Manuring. In artificial manures coarse salt, guano, soot, basic super and nitrate of soda are each useful stimulants, and any one of them can be applied as a top-dressing with advantage. Spring manuring, however, is by no means the most important, though it must naturally assist in some measure to stimulate growth. The most effective time to apply the manure is immediately after the cutting of the young tops ceases, as the roots at this time have been deprived of much of their stored up food, and are in a condition to readily absorb and store up food for the next season’s crop. Forming New Beds. For the formation of new asparagus beds and plots directions have already been given. This work should always be done some time before the season for planting, so as to allow the manure to become well decomposed and the soil to sweeten and be in good heart for planting. In preparing the beds one thing should always be borne in mind—-that the deeper and better the ground is prepared and manured, the more lasting •will be the crop produced. The best time to plant is soon after the crowns have started into growth. Planted at this time they take root quickly and become established more readily than when planted while in a dormant state, while there is not the same risk of losses—providing that the roots are not damaged in lifting or left exposed until they have become parched before planting.