GARDEN NOTES

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1946, Page 2

GARDEN NOTES

The vegetable garden must be ,put iu good order now, and some of thd oarly crops should be put in as soou as soil and weather conditions permit. J'Jarly potatoes are always wcleome and a few rows may be put in a sheltered spot where they are easily got at in case they have to be covered on odd oceasions when frosts threaten. Weed potatoes should be sprouted now as they do much better and come aloug quicker if growtli has started before they are put in. Plentv of sunshine is essential, and shelter from cold winds if possible. When they are through the ground potatoes can be given much protection by constant eartliing up — if heavy frost threatens, draw the -soil riglit over the tops — they will sooh coine through again. Peas thrive in cool weather and if sown this inoiith will* provide a very welcome early crop. These lirst ones are p ro baldy the most appreciated oi* all, so put iu plenty. Ghoose a dwarf variety such as W. i\ Massey or Moneymaker. Peas like .plenty of liumus in Ihe soil, and a good wuy to give it to tliem is to liuo the drills with good eoiupost. Liine is auother' necessity and the suiTace- soil can be dusled with it after Ihe sced has been planted. Birds are always troublesoine at lhis| timo of the year and some precaution [ against Ihem should be taken as soon as Ihe sced is in — don't wait till vou seo the green shools being nipped olf. A uarrow strip of wood about iiiue iuches long wilh a six-ineh "leg" nailed (o it at each oml uiakes an easy! trap for birds. Place some nuils at, ojie iuch intervals along tlie slrip audj llien with oue of these at each end of; Ihe pea rows, stretch blaek cotton along and wind i,t roiiud tlie nails — if thej rows are very long oues an extra guprd should be placcd across tlie middlu, Broad beans are anotlier crop wfiicli can lie sown now and again in August. Beans sown earlier thau thiij are ofton uusuccc.ssful owing to liaving to withstand Ihe winter weather — eveu if they come through safely they oi'lcn flower preniaturely and are not fertilised. Those which are sown now may 0-ver-lake Ihe earlier ones and the Augnstsown crop will f oi low in good succession. Broad beans awvery hardy and will grow almost anywhere — linie and couipost will lielp tliem along. Dig in any green crops which are sutticieiitly advanced in order to have plenty of ground rei. ly for important sowings ncxt month. ^ , , Keep an eyc upon plants which are giving useful service now, such as Brussels sprouts, and tread tliem in if they have worlted loose— cabbages. cauliflowers and sproutiug broccoli.may ueed the same treatment. Piuish the pruning of sinai! fruits. such as gooseborries, eurrants', raspberries, etc., and lift rliubarb for replanting if the croiviis have been in for tkree seasons,