GARDEN NOTES

Chronicle (Levin), 14 September 1946, Page 7

GARDEN NOTES

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After an apundance oi winter root vegetables fresh greens are always appreciated and can be had by a aowing of round "seeded ,-or summer, spinacli. This should be put in as . soon us possible as it pr.efers ,eool' conditions, and if grown in liot weather will "bolt" and run to seed very quickly. ltieh ground is necessary for qui.ck growth and stimulatiug f'ertiiisers such as superphosphate and- nitrate oi soda should be used, ' th'e f ormer being worked in before planting and the latter used when the plants, are halfgrown at the rate of loz to four gallous of water applied after a previous watering. Another variety of spinach not rnuch grown which deservcs to be ^ better known is Oraeh spinach. This is of the eiit and coxrie again typo and has a sinooth tender leaf of excellent flavour. When the plants are about nine inclit? high they should have the tops cut and then ihnumerable side-shoots braneh out whicli can be cut as required. So>.\ in drills and thin out, leaving several inches between each plant and choose : position in partial shade to prevent tht crop going to seed. Lettuce seed in small quantities should be sown abo.ut evOry throi weeks. Webb's Wonderful is so largeJ\ grown that other varieties .are apt to be overlooked. Tom Thunib is suitablc for sma'll families as it is riot a. largc variety but htis 'a small, cOmpact, firii heart and matures very e&rly. Ai'ignozi ette also has' a small, $oIid heart, the outer lea.ves being linged with . browii. Kifh soii is .essenflal to • projnote the necessary quidk growth. Prepare a bed which has a good lrunius coiitent— whert a green crop has becu dug in, for' in stance, and work'in a dressing of bl'ooi and bone before' -planting. When Ihe plants ; are begui'ning''to heart they "rau be given a waterihg of. hit rate. .of soda — loz to one gallon- of water-— but t-iu!-rnust be . appli ed- ' ohly " t o.' th e\soil rou n • the plants and not; touch tiie -plauU themsclves.. ■ Liquid maiiUFe ihadfe ffbm .uny aninral' in'anure available: -is" alsi beneacial. Hilver beet and \spinacb-' beet should .be inclu'ded in the iist of greens for thi scason. If these erops.are grown at a)f they are apt to be planted too liberali^ and somueh is .avaplable- that' familio' tire of them. ,'i-hree or foiir plants each, if well grovrn, will keep an aver age housohold amply .supplied. Lotl. provide excellent green-stuff/for poul try und those . who .k?op -even a fe\\ hens shoui'd put in e.vtfa. plants fpr thi: purpose. ■'.*•' . ' • ■ . • ' *■ -. Kich ground is "again neceSsary fo; good results with ..those, l.wo . crop) Blood and bone' should be worked "ii before planting a'nd liquid ^inauure cai be given at intervals ' .to &tiihuJa;> growth. ' Asparagus will be coming along sooj and the beds should be Weeded L. prieking up the surface of the .soil pnb so tluit no damage is done to fho j.dants Once growth has Sturted it can b. stimulated by an application of nitrhti of soda in liquid forxn at the rate o. an ounce to a. gallon.