HOME GARDENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 92, 27 May 1949, Page 6

HOME GARDENS

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.), F.R.H.S., Massey Agricultural College.) WHEN AND HOW TO DIG Digging and other methods of cultivation should be carried out at the most opportune time, if one is to receive the greatest benefit from one’s efforts. Methods and results vary with the type of soil and seasonal weather conditions. When new permanent plantings are to be made it is wise to prepare the soil thoroughly. There will' be no opportunity to do this without damaging the rots, after trees and shrubs have been planted. Furthermore, if the ground is deeply cultivated these plants become more quickly established and develop a better and deeper root system. This will ensure a good anchorage and less suffering from the extremes of wet and dry spells. With stiff soils a double digging, incorporating strawy manures or other coarse- forms of organic material in the bottom spit, is to be commended. The first spit of soil is carted to the other end of the plot where the digging is to finish. If the border is more than, say, eight feet wide, it may be divided into two strips, and the soil from the first trench of the first strip is placed at the same end of the second strip. Digging then proceeds down one side and back along the other to the starting point. If each trench is made similar in size the soil should finish reasonably level. As each trench is opened up, manure, turf chippings, or other similar material is added and mixed in as the subsoil .is turned over, in the trench, and broken up. The surface soil should not be broken down fine except when the digging is done in summertime.

Similar methods of double digging have been advocated for the vegetable garden and may be fitted in with the rotation. If the potato section were done each year the whole area, as considerable erosion four years, similarly, half of one section annually would take eight years. This is perhaps the best plot, for there is ample time before planting and the crop requires plenty of organic material and deep cultivation. Double digging may take place at any time, but the ground may be very hard and the weather rather warm during the summer months. Now is the most suitable time and will allow time for the soil to settle before planting. It is also the most suitable time to move any plants which may be in the way. Larger shrubberies and plantations are.too big to double dig, but plants may be given a good start by preparing holes, 2£ to 3 feet across by two feet deep, and mixing the surface grass chippings into the subsoil. Similarly, on steep banks it would be unwise to dig the Whole area, sa considerable erosion would take place. The aim in double digging is to increase the depth of the topsoil with the corresponding benefits to plant growth. The present is the most suitable time for the annual digging of permanent borders. Autumn maintenance r should be confined to hoeing and tidying up. It is unwise to carry out the annual digging too early. Late digging delays weed growth in the spring, particularly if left in the rough. Autumn leaves also litter the ground and require raking up. The best plan is to leave this digging until most autumn leaves have fallen. Large accumulations of leaves may be collected and stacked for leaf mould. The remainder may be dug in. The majority of herbaceous perennials will also be past their best. The dead tops of the latter may be cut back to six inches from the ground and any labels moved back against the climps. With the fall of leaves from d'eciduous trees and shrubs one is better able to work among them. All dead wood may be removed and also any crowded or misplaced branches. The general clean up admits more light and air to the soil and makes the work easier. It also avoids troubling the soil when wet to do the job later.