HOME GARDENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 87, 16 May 1949, Page 7

HOME GARDENS

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.}, F.R.H.S., Massey Agricultural College.)

PLANS FOR THE WINTER The area of any newspaper’s cir-, culation invariably covers varying climatic conditions. This fact is most appreciable during the approach of winter, when early frosts may vary greatly ih intensity. Once the foliage collapses the plant is unable to assimilate plant foods, and growth ceases. Tomatoes whoch have commenced to colour will ripen if picked and kept in a frost-free, airy position. They may then be made into relish or sauce, or bottled for future use. Green tomatoes may be made into chutney or jam. If thQ frost is hard some of the fruit may be frosted on one side, but save what you can of this invaluable article of diet. Seed may be saved, if desired, by selecting well-grown fruit from a plant which is of healthy constitution and has produced a good crop. For preference, this plant should also have good neighbours, which will ensure that the offspring have a pollen parent of good constitution. Selected fruits should be allowed to ripen completely in a well-lighted place. The seeds should be separated from the remains, washed and spread qut on newspaper to dry thoroughly. Saving of Seed

Pumpkins and marrows are frequently allowed to lie on the ground for some time after light frosts. Little harm will come to mature fruits, but small ones may be damaged by harder frosts. These should be collected and used as soon as posible, as they will not keep long. The test for a mature fruit is its resistance to any impression by the thumb-nail. Marows and their allies should be stored in a dry airy position and care must be exercised to avoid bruising. It is very important that the stalk be retained undamaged, as the first signs of decay usually appear at this end. Selected fruits should be “earmarked” now, if required for seed. Good specimens, from a plant of healthy constitption which has produced a heavy crop, are desirable. Any runner beans that are surplus to requirements should be salted down for use in the off-season. Methods of Blanching

Leeks and celery may be ready for blanching. The soil should be drawn well up in a ridge around the plants. There are several methods of blanching celery, but first the short stalks and any side-shoots should be cleared off. Brown or water-proof paper may be wrapued round the plant, drawing the stalks together, and then tied with string. Soil may also be drawn up round the base of the paper alternatively, and especially where the plants are in double rows, the best method is to place 12 inch x 1 inch planks close along each side and lightly fill in around the stalks with straw.

Brussels sprouts may be maturing now, and if they are over-vig-orous they may not be developing those desirable tight, firm buttons. A dusting with superphosphate (or, if the ground is dry, a liquid manure) of 2 an ounce per gallon of water, will firm up growth and encourage the plants to button. Tramping the ground firm round the plants will also help. Lower leaves should be cut off as the sprouts develop, in the axils, but the top leaves must be retained. Sprouts should be used before they commence to turn yellow or open up. They should be removed with a sharp knife and a short stump of the stalk should be left on the plant. Asparagus tops may now be ripening off, and the foliage may be cut away and burnt as it turns yellow. The’ ashes should be broadcast over the bed. Break up the surface soil with the fork and remove docks, dandelions and other perennial weeds and twitches. Tire asparagus produces male and female flowers on separate plants. It is a proven fact that male plants produce more and larger “spears” than female plants. Hence the males are, for once, in greater demand. The fe-

males are now producing those bright-red berries, and those persons who are raising their own two-year-old plants would be well advised to dig the former out now and plant only the males into their permanent beds. If established beds were treated, after cutting ceased, as advised in our notes last year, no further manures will be necessary till the spring.