HOME GARDENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 7, 13 October 1948, Page 6

HOME GARDENS

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.), F.R.H.S., Massey Agricultural College.) VEGETABLES FOR HEALTH The importance of fresh, wellgrown vegetables in our diet cannot be over-emphasised. The war years have shown how essential they are to the health and physical well-be-ing of people in all countries. Many vegetables deteriorate rapidly, both in value and flavour, during trans-. port; but there is no doubt that home-grown vegetables, being ready at hand, being absolutely fresh, are consequently much, more appetising. Another factor which is not fully appreciated is that many of these may lose value by becoming overmatured in the home garden before large sowings are utilised in the kitchen. We should aim to have healthy, vigorous crops of moderate size maturing in regular succession and in well-balanced variety. All that is required is careful planning and crop management. Work for the month varies greatly with locality and the type of soil. Some readers will have excellent early crops ready for harvesting; others may still have to make a start. Have you ever noticed how much progress can be mgde in a single afternoon? The great difficulty is always in making the start. A start now will produce green peas and new otatoes, etc., for Christmas. Those readers who have previously planned crop-rotation or practised soil improvement will now be reaping the benefits. The operations of digging and . hoeing will be less arduous and it will be found that the soil does not “set” after every shower, nor crack in dry weather. Seeds germinate and grow freely, whilst weeds, though always present, are much easier to control. Even the most difficult of soils will respond to the soil-improvement methods we have discussed in past notes, and from thence onward gardening becomes more of a pleasure and less of a drudgery. Growing of Potatoes

PLOT No. 1 in the rotation may or may not contain a few rows of early potatoes. There is still a possibility of light frosts in some districts, though it is unlikely that potatoes would be killed, and probably only lightly “cut.” Keep the soil hoed right up to the base of the leaves. This will protect the stems, check weed seedlings, and help warm the soil. The growing of a crop of potatoes and the cultivation attendant thereto is one of the finest methods of soil improvement and weed eradication. Furthermore, the crop pays for the effort, and means shillings in the pocket, so if you have a vadant area put it in “spuds.” Homemakers of the next three months would be well advised to treat their future lawn areas in this manner. Remember, certified seed is best and that potato blight is always a potential menace. Spray with Bordeaux mixture from the time the plants are 8, inches, and at 10 to 12day intervals. In dry weather districts it may not be necessary to spray an early crop, but keep the “weather r eye” open for dark-brown spots on the leaves which'gradually enlarge and join one another, forming large black patches. Dissolve 4 ounces of bluestone in two gallons of water. This is best done by tying the bluestone in a piece of sacking and suspending it in the water. Next mix 5 ounces of hydrated lime in a little water till it forms a creamy mixture. This should be diluted to two gallons and mixed with the bluestone solution, when that has dissolved, to make 4 gallons of spray. This should be a deep skyblue colour and must not be mixed in an iron or tin vessel. . Copper, wooden, brass, enamel, earthenware or heavily galvanised containers are all suitable for mixing bluestone or spraying Bordeaux. If you have any doubts about your spray, test for free copper with the blade of a knife or bright nail for a few minutes. If a coating of copper apears on either, it will be necessary to add more lime. Apply the spray shortly after preparation and only when the plants are dry. Aim to give both the under and upper sides of the leaves a protective covering.

PLOT No. 2 may now contain onions, shallots and parsnips of the main crop .vegetable and should comprise the total requirements of these subjects for next autumn and winter. There is still time to sow parsnips and onions or to transplant onions, but the earlier the better. Thinning and weeding must be attended to with growing crops. Smaller sowings of white and yellowfleshed turnips, turnip-rooted beet and carrots may be' coming along in succession. The earliest turnips and autumn-sown beet and carrots may be ready for use. They may not be large but are valuable even if there are enough for only soups or stews. If necessary, make additional sowings to carry on the succession. Thin, weed and stir the soil with the hoe.