THE HOME GARDEN

Te Ao Hou, April 1956, Page 51

THE HOME GARDEN By R. FALCONER At this time of the year the soil temperature is still fairly high. This permits seed sowing to continue, but if the soil is inclined to be wet in the winter, sowings or plantings are best made on ridges or mixed beds, as this allows for better drainage and consequently a higher soil temperature which will mature the crops. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflowers, etc., which have been planted, should have the soil drawn up to the bascial leaves when weather and soil conditions permit. This will help to support the plants and prevent the rooting system from being disturbed by strong winds. In districts which experience early and severe frosts, harvesting of crops such as pumpkins, kumaras and marrows, should be attended to when mature. When harvesting for storage, utmost care should be taken during transporation as rough handling means early breakdown and eventual decay. Now is the time to sow down all vacant plots in mustard or blue lupins. Asparagus beds should be attended to and the seasons growth should be cut about 2” above the ground and burnt. A light dressing of animal manure or good compost should now be applied. Black Rot. Approximately ten years ago, black rot—a disease affecting the kumara plant—was first noted in the North Auckland district. Since that time it has gradually spread firstly to Motiti Island then to the main land around Tauranga and at the present time plants affected by the disease have been found on the coastal strip as far south as Te Kaha. As this disease will undoubtedly affect the economical welfare of the Maori people, every effort should be given to prevent the continual spread of this fungus disease. First indication of the disease is black areas on the underground portions of the shoots. When they are being pulled on the nursery beds, these black areas extend until the whole of the root portion is involved and the shoot dies shortly after planting. On the tuber the rot develops as a circular black, slightly sunken, area of variable size. These areas extend in storage until the greater portion of the tuber may be rotted. Under the skin covering the spots on the flesh turn a greenish colour so that when cooked, it has a very disagreeable flavour. Black rot is a fungus disease which persists in the soil from year to year, living on decayed kumara growth and other vegetable matter. Control of black rot is entirely a matter of strict garden and storehouse hygiene. Any shoots showing the typical, blackened areas, should be burnt immediately and after harvesting all plant remains should be burnt. At planting time, all shoots should be dipped in a bordeaux mixture 3–4–50 (3 Ibs blue stone, 4 Ibs hydrated lime and 50 gallons water), before setting out in the field. Areas used for seed beds should be changed every year. Flower Garden Now is the time to lift carnation runners and plant in nursery beds or preferably in a permanent bed where they can remain until in flower. As far as possible the planting of spring bulbs should have been completed after having given the land a good dressing of bone dust at about 1 oz. to the square yard. At this time of the year rose cuttings strike fairly well and this work should be attended to now. Stocks and poppies should by now be well established. Light hoeing to eradicate weeds should continue when soil conditions and weather permit. This is a good time of the year to give a general tidy up of the home surrounds. Hedges should be trimmed now and in most cases they will appear neat and tidy for several months until the Spring growth is apparent. Home Orchard When the leaves from fruit trees fall they tend to make the area untidy. These leaves can be raked into small piles and then transferred to the compost heap. Leaves and decaying vegetation make excellent compost and can be used to advantage later. The month of May is the time when Citrus trees must be sprayed with bordeaux for the control of withertip and citrus blast. Also the trees should be given an application of citrus white oil at the rate of 1 pint in 30 pints of water. This spray can be used as a combination spray, that is the oil and the bordeaux mixed together and applied in one operation. Over the past few years, citrus trees in home gardens have been infected most severely with scale and the only method of control is the above spray programme. The strawberry patch should be prepared and given a good dressing of bone dust as a base fertilizer. Plants should be set out 27 ins. between the rows and about 10ins apart in the rows. Always endeavour to buy a good strain from a reliable nursery man. Up to the present time the Captain Cook variety is still the most popular. Especially in the northern parts of New Zealand. Plants should be lifted now from a non-fruited plant which has been rested in a nursery bed for several years. If one keeps taking runners from a fruiting bed then the strain deteriorates, the fruit becomes small and the plant tends to make runners instead of fruiting to advantage.