THE GARDEN

Southland Times, Issue 24885, 27 October 1942, Page 6

THE GARDEN

BROCCOLI

By

RIWHI

There was a time when broccoli were coarse compared with cauliflower; now as a result of the introduction of new strains good quality broccoli are equal to the best grown cauliflower, and when their hardiness and their long season of harvest are taken into account, they are one of the most important crops in the vegetable garden. All amateur growers should procure seed of a number of varieties which will supply succession crops from May till October. For instance, the Roscoff strain provides these in a numbered succession. Whatever the variety, the time for sowing is October and where seed has not been sown already no time should be lost in carrying out the work.

As soon as the seedlings have developed two true leaves they should be taken from the seed bed and pricked out into nurseryrows on an open site and in sweet, well cultivated soil. Space rows at a foot and seedlings at three inches in the rows. The plants should be ready for putting into their permanent quarters by December. Take advantage of cool showery weather for transplanting and wrench the plants previously if they are making too much growth. The idea is a short jointed stocky plant with a well developed fibrous rooting system. The soil on the site of permanent plantings should be rich, recently manured and for preference heavy in nature. Light or sandy soils do not grow good heads of broccoli unless very heavily manured. The soil should be well consolidated and liberally limed before planting. With spring heading varieties the soil should be more mellow as too succulent a growth may suffe> from winter frosts. Spacing should be at a minimum distance of two feet either way; it will depend on both soil and variety. Protection from insect pests is necessary, especially during the early stages of development. BRUSSELS SPROUTS Here again we have a most valuable vegetable, but one, unfortunately, which is often not given a chance. As with broccoli, sowings should be made in October and the seedlings pricked out and planted into permanent quarters by late November or early December. A long growing season is essential. A good fertile and sweet garden loam is best for growing good quality sprouts. Heavy manuring or loose soil produce loose, open sprouts, a mellow, well consolidated soil produces the typical solid, clean buttons from ground level to top. Wide spacing is necessary so as to let sun and air to the lower stem; keep the rows three feet apart and the plants two feet six inches in the rows. Pests are as for other members of the cabbage family, but special care should be exercised in the control of aphis. CABBAGE For late autumn and winter use, drumheads and savoys are grown. Even at such seasons of the year I should commend to growers in the milder districts the harvest of early cabbage such as Spring Tide, Harbinger and Enfield Market. Savoys and Drumheads should be planted out by the end of December, and they will do well on early potato ground, if this is vacated in time. There is no need to dig the ground; it will be in good heart and will require only to be pointed over with the spade. Kale can be grown under similar conditions. These three crops can usually be spaced at 18 to 24 inches in rows at least two feet apart. Cool, moist summers suit them best and hot, dry conditions are the worst possible, Keep them growing and clear of pests till March and the battle is won.