Hints for Raetihi gardeners

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 601, 29 August 1995, Page 15

Hints for Raetihi gardeners

Philip Scarrow expounded on the virtues of growing vegetables to Raetihi Garden Club members at a recent meeting, explaining how people all over the world recognise now how important it is to eat fresh vegetables. He recounted that when he and his wife Dorothy were visiting Papua New Guinea, there had been a discussion among the local men on getting on with one's in-laws. When one man said how difficult he found it, he was told quite simply: "Then you should eat your vegetables!" Although some people considered growing vegetables in the Raetihi area was difficult due to its unique climate, Philip pointed out the number of vegetables which grow really well here, when they are sown or planted at the right time. He suggested digging the garden in the autumn, using a weed killer if necessary . The weeds should be skimmed off and dug in. Philip gave many useful tips: To counteract club root he suggested liming the ground for the brassicas and then rotating the plots of vegetables on at least a threeyear cycle. He also mentioned a commercial preparation that the brassica roots can be dipped into. He found that the small drumhead variety of cabbage hearted up the best in our climate. To enrich the soil Philip suggested using potassic super and sheep manure - but he gave a warning about not using fresh manure when growing carrots and parsnips which will benefit from following the potato crop. Early potatoes can be planted as soon as July and they do not like lime. Brussels sprouts should be planted before Christmas. Among other hints that Philip gave were that with our short growing season quick

maturing varieties do best and "little and often" is the way to keep the vegetables coming. If runner beans are not setting, change to Shiny Fardenlosa. He also recommended leaving yams in the soil until their green tops had died back. For show time, the evenness of the size of exhibition vegetables was most important. Carrots should not have a big core and peas and beans should have the same number of seeds in each of the three pods. In the competition part of the evening, the single bloom was won by Dorothy McNie with Judy Tod second and Glenys Fowlie third. The Spike was won by Dawn Harper with Maureen Bell coming second and Jean Fredericksen third. The shrub competition was won by Glenys Fowlie with Judy Tod coming second and Dorothy McNie third. The best winter rose was woii by Heather Oliver with Dorothy McNie second and Jean Fredericksen third. The meeting was held at the home of Jean Fredericksen on 27 with 22 members present. It was chaired by Catherine Brown in the absence of Lynley Graham. Members decided that $40 should be donated towards the advertising costs of Ann Boyd' s Floral Art classes. These three classes will be held at weekly intervals beginning at the end of August and will cover floral arrangements for both the home and for competitions. EDITOR'S NOTE: Regarding the lateness in publishing this report: we welcome contributions for publication and we do our best to publish (free of charge to clubs and other non-profit making groups) as many reports as possible from a wide range of groups. However we cannot guarantee 1 00 per cent that all will be published in the first available issue as there is often pressure for

space. If it is criticai tor a club or organisation to have information printed at a certain time (such as for meeting times etc), we suggest that they take out a classified advertisement (our rates are very reasonablel).