THE HOME GARDEN

Te Ao Hou, Summer 1954, Page 46

THE HOME GARDEN by R. G. Falconer, Horticulturist Don't bury manure deeply. Feeding roots of plants are most active in the surface soil. Now is the time to prepare the garden for winter supply of vegetables. Sow cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and onions. In heavy soils it is best to plant on ridges after applying a good fertilizer to the area. Onion seed can now be sown to ensure a good supply of plants for transplanting during the month of July and August. Broad beans can also be sown in rows about 4 to 6 inches apart, allowing 3 feet between the rows; this vegetable likes a heavy, deep, well manured soil. At this time of the year, the gardener will be busy harvesting crops from spring plantings and it is often a problem to find suitable storage for winter use. Crops such as pumpkins, piemelons and onions should be gathered as they come to maturity especially onions and late planted potatoes. If storage is limited under cover, pumpkins and melons can be fairly safely kept out-doors under a hedge or similar cover where a constant cool breeze or air-current will keep the crop fairly dry. All vacant plots should be dug over and prepared for a cover crop; lupins, especially, are recommended for the home garden.