SALAD CROPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 228, 28 September 1935, Page 14

SALAD CROPS

GROWING EARLY LETTUCE It is not an easy matter to produce early spring salads in some districts if the garden is not provided with glass of some description. Lettuce is usu ally the only crop grown and is more often than not planted in the late autumn and left to the mercy of the elements for the winter. In mild districts the crop may be successful, but its chances of survival will be greatly increased by a little extra care and at tention. A good dusting of old soot scattered o\cr the bod will ward off slugs, and when the soil is dry enough the hoe should be used lightly between the rows. Soot itself contains a small amount of nitrogen, but growth will be helped Ity a light application of a nitrogenous fertiliser a week or so later. Most people consider a spring salad is not complete without the flavour of onion. A gradual thinning of autum tsown onions can begin quite early. It i” advisable to make small sowings e." onion seed from time to time to keep up a supply of tender, green plants, especially for the purpose of pulling for salads.

Young, blanched leaves of chicory and dandelion should be given a place to provide variety. If these have not already been sampled, seeds should be sewn now to provide roots fur the pro duction leaves early next spring. Fo* small lots n large flower pot, with the hole plugged to exclude the light, in verted over the plait will provide a number of tender, blanched leaves.

With the advantage of a greenhouse, a constant supply of mustard cr.d cress can be assured by sowing the seed in boxes every week. As mustaid grows more quickie than cre.ss the two should not be sown together. Wh-m the cress seed has germinated sow a Lox of mustard to be ’used with it.

Where tomatoes are grown on borders in the greenhouse radishes may be sown between to provide an early crop. Frames can be used to much better advantage in the production of salads if a supply of manure is available to provide a gentle warmth underneitb. Gue foot to eighteen inches of manure under the frame will provide sufficient warmth to forward the crop by several weeks.