HOME GARDENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 191, 26 July 1940, Page 7

HOME GARDENS

GROWING ONIONS AND CARROTS (Contributed by'Mr G. L. Zinzan, Education Department Agricultural Instructor, Tauranga). The all pervading Onion requires no introduction as a vegetable. In a normal season New Zealand produces about two-thirds of her annual requirements, about 700 acres of onions being grown annually on a commercial scale. The onion requires cool and moist conditions in early stages oL' growth and frost does not i'njure the seedlings. For ripening, a dry atmosphere in summer and autumn is necessary. The soil should be well drained I and fertile for the onion is a gross feeder and sends its roots down to IS inches. In preparation of the seed bed the soil should be worked deeply but must be firm at the time of planting. This is essential:. If the soil is inclined to pug a dressing of wood ashes will act as a manure and improve this sticky ness. Farmyard manure, where it can be obtained, is excellent and a dress ing of about two inches deep should be applied. 'Wood ashes at the rate of %lb per square yard supplies sufficient potash for most soils. Chemical fertilisers may be applied as follows: Superphosphate 2 ozs per square yard; Potash loz iier square yard; Nitrate of Soda per square yard. The Nitrate of Soda should be applied in two dressings one when seedlings have struck some six weeks later. Transplanting. If the bundles of onions ha\*e, not been trimmed, trim the tops 'jJj about 4 inches and roots to 1 inch. In planting lay the onions along the line and press the roots into the soil. It is not necessary for the plant to stand upright for it soon pulls itself up as it grows. Do not bury the bulb, e.g. bury only the root or onions of irregular shape are likely to be produced. Carrots. A firm sieed bed is again essential and manuring folSows the same lines except, that it is not advisable to use fresh farmyard manure in the? bed or forked carrots may be produced. In sowing, the seed is sometimes mixed with wet sand for a week or so before sowing. This accelerates germination which is important m weed infested areas. In any case it is a good idea to use a filler when soAving e.g. mix the seed with a suf ficient quantity of dry sand or earth to facilitate the soAving and to thin out the seed. Do not plant the seed any deeper than inch —the nearer the surface better. At this time of the year it i-rf advisable to use cotton or Avirenetting as a protection against birds. When the seedlings are lavo inches or so high they should be thinned to about three inches and in any place Avhere the plants are too thin seme of the seedlings may be transplanted. The later treatment- of bojh croiis should be to keep weeds down and in dry Aveather to keep the surface stirred by mulching.