Choosing Land for a Market Garden

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 4, 15 October 1941, Page 321

Choosing Land for a Market Garden

“ By

D. K. PRITCHARD,

Instructor in Vegetable Culture, Wellington.

ALTHOUGH success in market gardening depends largely on the individual, one of the most essential factors is the land itself. Those who are considering acquiring land for this purpose should therefore make the fullest investigation of the possible advantages and disadvantages of the land and the site before committing themselves to the venture.

T opography

The “lay of the land” of any prospective site when the selection of

land for a market garden is being made is important. Steep grades should be avoided, as the drainage on the ridges of this type of ground is too quick and permits the soil to dry out very rapidly. With constant cultivation such as is practised in market gardening, erosion is almost bound to occur, with a result that the top soil will eventually find its way to the gullies. This will take place more quickly than the land, even under the best practices, can be improved. Further, agricultural machinery is difficult to operate to best advantage on steep

Soils

grades, and production costs will therefore invariably be higher than on flat or gently sloping land. Gentle slopes with a northerly or north-easterly aspect in some locations are very favourable, as they induce air currents which may be some protection against frost. Because of the natural drainage usually present in such situations, the land will warm more quickly in spring, which would be an advantage in producing early chops for market. Level land, however, is generally chosen for the production of market garden crops, as it is more easily and more economically worked, and can, in many ways, be utilised to better advantage.

Soils which are used for general agricultural purposes will, with the necessary treatment, produce good crops of most vegetables, but better soils will invariably give better results and over a longer period. Whatever the type of soil that is chosen, however, the drainage must be good. Sandy soils have some advantages in crop production. They drain more quickly,. and warm earlier in spring; sowing and planting can be started

earlier and continued longer; ploughing and subsequent cultural operations are easier; the soil does not “set” hard better root crops may be produced; and the temperature of such a soil will be higher during the growingseason. > Such soils will, of necessity, require heavier dressings of organic materials, such as farmyard manure and green crops, and more care both in the selection of commercial fertilisers best suited to the soil and crops to be grown on the land and in their composition and distribution. On such soils irrigation is necessary. While swamp and peaty soils will produce good crops of all vegetables, they are particularly suited for growing celery and onions. They are rich in organic. matter, and invariably require heavy liming. They must be adequately drained. Silty, loam soil is generally considered favourable for the production of main and late crops, and constitutes a good percentage of the soil on which vegetable crops are grown in New Zealand. Heavy clay soils should be avoided for vegetable culture. , If a soil is chosen which is deficient in organic matter, .this condition can be remedied by growing green crops and ploughing them in. If it is intended to produce early crops, sandy soils are most suitable, while heavier soils will be best for main and late crops. Climate It is sometimes possible to capitalise climatic advantages by growing early crops, which may be placed on a mar-

ket at a period when : growers less favourably situated are unable to compete. Cooler locations may be suitable for -supplying late-maturing' vegetables, particularly those of the brassica family, when harvesting in the warmer districts is finished. In colder . situations vegetable pests are rarely as troublesome as in localities where winter conditions are not so severe or of long duration. Water Supply , .. The water supply should be I thoroughly investigated before finalising any contract to purchase a property. Facilities for irrigation in some form are essential, and should be provided to ensure that the ground is maintained in an adequately moist condition, particularly during the period of crop growth. When it is considered that 27,000 gallons of water are necessary for the application of . one inch of water to an acre of land, and that, with respect to' some crops, this may be required several times during the growing season, it is evident that an abundant supply of water should be assured. Cost of Supplies A small acreage conveniently situated to a cheap supply of stable manure might be preferred to a larger area on which it would be necessary to grow soil-improving green crops. The question of the cost of lime, manure, artificial fertilisers, and, indeed, all necessary supplies should be investigated, not in relation to where these, might be purchased, but delivered on the garden. If the property is an inconvenient distance from rail and shipping . facilities, the cost of transportation of these essentials might increase the cost beyond the point of profitable production. Crops The crops it is intended to grow or in which it is intended to specialise will, in a great measure, be determined by the nature of the soil, the method of sale and . distribution of produce, the available supply of labour and the extent to which the markets it is intended to supply are being met with vegetables of the kinds which the land

is suited to grow. During the harvesting period of such, crops as beans, peas, berries and tomatoes it may be necessary to employ additional labour. The amount of labour available will constitute a guide to the acreage which may be profitably cropped. Markets Unless profitable markets are within a radius of economic transportation, no scheme of commercial gardening is likely to prove a financial success. This factor, with those already mentioned, will largely govern z the extent of the area of land to be acquired and the price which may be paid for it. Land situated • on a main highway where a ( considerable quantity of produce' might be disposed of direct to

the consumer would warrant a higher price than a similar-sized area where little or no direct contact with such a market is possible. The proximity of land to auction markets should also be investigated, as large quantities of produce are disposed of daily by these organisations. Where markets are near, advice concerning an advance in price for any particular line of produce can be quickly ascertained, and deliveries regulated accordingly. Further, fresh produce . placed on the market will command higher - values than vegetables which have been transported from a distance and which may have become stale and unattractive in appearance. Transportation Perhaps no single factor has a greater bearing. upon the success or failure of commercial gardening than transportation of produce. The carriage of vegetables by road, rail or sea — sometimes by a combination of two or all three methods, with the consequent increase in the number of times, they are handled — leads to deterioration and adds substantially to the cost of placing the produce on the market.

In the production of a high moneyvalue crop the cost of transportation may not appear excessive, but, in general, all-round vegetable production transportation costs seriously imperil the success of the operator. The position regarding adequate and reason-ably-priced transportation . facilities should be fully investigated before finalising the location where production is to be carried on. Wind-breaks Where not already established, wind-breaks will have to be planted as quickly as possible after the land has been acquired. When worked to a fine tilth, light soil ,in which' seed has, been sown may have the whole of the seed covering removed by wind, with the consequent exposure of the seed to the depredations of birds and other deteriorating factors. Shelter belts will prevent'this disastrous . form of soil erosion.

Guarding Britain's , Cornfields WITH 12,500,000 acres under the VV plough this spring 3? millions more than in 1939 Britain’s agricultural

leaders are planning how to protect her corn crops from Nazi fire bombs. Last year Germany’s air onslaught did not develop fully until the harvest was gathered in, but this year, combined with U-boat attacks on shipping, the menace to British food supplies is very real. Among the safeguards which may be enforced. is the cutting of fire-breaks or lanes about 30 ft. wide across the direction of the prevailing wind. The crops, cut green, would not be wasted, but made into hay or silage. Corn stocks can be protected by setting the rows as,far apart as possible. Ricks would be set at least 15 yards apart, and preferably out in the field to prevent enemy landings. For dealing with outbreaks of fire, water carts would be kept filled near the standing crops, and further reserves stored in ricks or van covers supported on stakes. Fire-fighters will arm themselves with stirrup pumps, fruit spraying machines, liquid manure carts, wet sacks . and brooms cut from timber and hedgerows. Tractors will be useful for ploughing a fire-break quickly in the path .of an advancing fire, and scythes for isolating small patches. With fire-watchers, A.R.P. wardens and Home - Guards in every parish, there will be no lack of man-power to safeguard the vital harvest of 1941.