THE HOME GARDEN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 11, 26 September 1944, Page 6

THE HOME GARDEN

WORK FOR SEPTEMBER

Mr Claude R. Vickard U.S.A. Secretary for Agriculture, has said: "Food will win the war anil write the peace." The real meaning of this statement is that the restoration of all belligerent countries to peacc-time conditions will be simplified if food suppies arc pentiful. The liome vegetable garden, therefore, has its part to play., the importance of which cannot very well lie over-estinialed. "September for

seed, sowing" is. a maxim worthy of adoption when laying plans lor the coming season. There are few home-grown vegetables the seed of which cannot be sown during September, that is., providing proper care and discretion are exercised concerning the different. varieties selected.

It should, he emphasised again that sowing more .seed than is net cessary for the production of. the number of plants required is not only a waste of but often results in weak, spindly due to overcrowding in the seed-bed. Seed should be sown and ? during September, shallow soil coverage will suffice, if precautions arc taken to prevent undue evaporation of moisture from the surface soil. An important point Avhieli should lie observed is that when a seeding box is used for seed germination it is. advisable to keep it covered preferably with a sheet of light-icolour-ed paper—newspaper will be suitable —until germination starts, after which instant removal is nccessary.

CABBAGE : Summer cabbage plants which may not yet be set out should be planted without further delay. If home-grown plants are not ready, it may be more profitable to buy what is required rather than miss the opportunity of securing the early growth of plants of this variety (Golden Acre). These will follow closely on after Flower of Spring, and as will be advised later can largely be made an addition to a Avinter savoy planting. Harvesting the spring cabbage mentioned above should now be going on. If, by the middle of Septthe bed has not been properly thinned out by cutting those remaining arc. not likely to develop into lull-hearted specimens. It would therefore be more profitable to make plenty of room for development even at the risk of losing a few which may be onlj" partly hearted.

LETTUCE : A levy seeds broadcast into a box of soil, which should be ill fit ilt bulled in a moist will keep up the necessary supply of young plants. It should be remembered that crisp lettuces can lie produced only bj r rapid growth. They require a rich soil ? plenty of watcr ? and i( when hearting, either a pinch of nitrate of soda or regular applications of liq-J uitl manure. RHUBARB (spring): Seed stalks should be removed as soon as they are observed. Permitted to grow and not seed the plant is robbed oi' considerable plant food. PEAS : Although seed may be sown very early it is doubtful if much is and a great deal may be lost by sowing earlier than August i*artieularly where severe weather conditions obtain. A rich moist well-drained soil, whicli contains. abundance of organic and which has, been dug over in autumn, is ideal for a pea crop. Good crops* niay_ be produced on most types of soil, except heavy clay. Blood and bone nianurt 4.0z to each 9ft. of may be applied and worked into the top soil. The seed is best sown l%in. deep at the bottom of a shallow trench which maj' be made with an ordinary garden vegetable hoe. The edge of the blade is sunk into the soil and pulled along' the line of row. A short distance with each pull will make a better job than continual dragging. W. F. Massey

is an appropriate early which can be. followed by Greenfeast Richard Scddon or Stratagem.

LEEKS : What remains, of this crop should now be used, as with the advent of warm spring conditions seed stems are sure, to develop. It is one of the. most valuable vegetables usually grown in the and preparations may be made now for sowing seed for a small early bed. The main sowing can lie made later. Seed can be. sown in rows in, a seedling box not less than 4 V»in deep or in a sheltered part of the garden. The seed is best sown in rows so that weeds may be kept under control while the seedlings are developing. Musselburgh or London Flag are suitable varieties. POTATOES : If it is intends! to grow a main crop the il not already obtained should be secured without delay. It is $A considered ncpess.aiy to "shoot" main erc-p

seed; but if the area it is. intended to use is at present occupied by a the seed will be maintained in much better conditions if set out in seedling boxes, than if kept in a sack. TOMATOES: Tf tomato seed lias not yet been obtained, or it none were saved from last year's crop a trial might be made of Best of All. From experience, it can be stated that it. will stand sunshine after rain without cracking better tlian most varieties. It bears rather larger round but-these are firmly held in good trusses on vigorous growth.

RADISH : An odd corner of the garden can always be utilised to advantage by a small sowing of radish seed. With good soil and moist conditions the seed may be. sown and the crop harvested in I'ro.m 6 V weeks. Successional .sowings of small quantities -of seed are most desirable, as the product can be u&ed onl\- whc.n tender.

CARROTS : In areas where the carrot rust-fly is prevalent sowings of carrot seed sliould lie. deferred until late November or early December. Fortunately this remark does at present, apply to the South Inland where so l'ar as \| known, the pest lias not yet been recognised as having attacked car-" rots. Where thinning is carried out in existing beds care should be exercised to sec that the soil is press- 1 ed firmly against the crowns of the roots remaining in the ground.

CAULIFLOWERS: During September seed should be sown to pro* du-ce plants for late autumn matur-

ity. The seedlings may very well be. grown in a box to (iini deep, or in a par.t of the garden where they will obtain plenty of sunshine and fair exposure. During late spring and summer young plants, if grown in carcl'ully-slieHc.red spots;, will not acquire the vigorous constitution necessary to withstand subsequent growing conditions, phenomenal Southern Cross and Metropolis arc recommended varieties.