THE KITCHEN GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 78, 24 December 1937, Page 10

THE KITCHEN GARDEN

A Busy Month. December is generally a very busy month in the vegetable garden as frequent hoeings have to be given to keep down the hosts of annual weeds that invade the sacred plots. Hoeing and stirring of the surface lielps to keep in the moisture that lies below the surface and stops the soil from crackiug. When watering with hose or can, give a thoro-igh saturating to the soil. Dally sprinklings are not much use as the roots ouly come to tlie surfaee for more moisture. Looking Aliead. Don't forget if you are growiug your oavu plants for winter use, the seed of cabbage, savoy or succession should be sovm now. Brussel sprouts, curly greens and broccoli should be sown and transplanted when large enough. AU these varieties are heavy feeders and the soil should be well enriched with a good fertiliser. Things to Gro -ti. It is not too late yet to make a soiving of celery for winter use, Solid white or self-blanchipg are worthy varieties to set. Sow in boxes and transplant when seedlings liave reached their third leaf. Plants are available now for those v. j like to start early. Leeks can be sown thickly in drills for thinning out. wlien ready. Dpn't bother about setting any more onion plants, it is far too late. Spraying. Potatoes are now showing signs of blight. This is quiekly recpgnised by the leaves going brown in places. Spray at once with lime ynd sulphur or Bordeaux powder as specified on the paeket, until under control. Any plants badly aftected eut out and burn. Early plants nearing maturing can be sprayed ivith arsenate of lead, 1 teaspoonful to a gallon, to prevent the caterpillar. Forcing On. Pumpkins, cucumbers, marrows, etc., should be forced along with plenty of water and liquid mynure. Where sown in very dry spots, sweet corn may be drilled round the hills to protect them from the sun. Lettuee and cabbage may be watered with nitrate of soda, loz. per gallon. Apply after rain when the gronnd is damp. JMiilching. Now that the weather is dry a mulching along the rows of vegetables is the only method of success. Spread out the rotted stable manure, old grass clippings or decayed leaves, If this is not available, the garden hoe eontinually run along the surface will create a dust muleh which will be better than 110thing.