GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 56, 11 February 1953, Page 7

GARDENS IN TAUPO

ERE WINTER COMES

(By

Flora.)

Last week we began a survey oi vegetables that sbould be planted now in preparation for the winter months. Cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts all belong to the Brassicas and there is another of this genus that can be listed here. Kohlrabi. This, the turnip-rooted cabbage, is nojt often grown in New Zealand gardens but on the Continent is a popular vegetable. It really is quite tasty especially if yon favonr the turnip. The edible part is the bulbous root which forms above ground. There are two types the green and the purple, the green being the more tender. They can be transpianted but are better if left undisturbed. Use when the turnip is a little more than the size of a tennis ball. It is particularly hardy and will stand severe frosts. Quick growth is necessary for tender bulbs so grow on we.ll manured erouncL

Leeks. The Leek besides being the National Emblem of Wales was favoured by the EmjbeTor Nero, wiho said it helped to clear his voice. It is too late to sow seed so you will have to obtain plants, which are now ready to plant out. Well manured, deeply dug ground is most suitable. Lift the plants, trim their roots and tops, and place in holes about six inches deep. Do not push soil into the holes but water well and this will wash down sufficient to cover the roots. Leeks will benefit from regular waterings once a week during dry weather. ' From time to time as plants develop soil may be placed round the stem. They may stay in the ground till late spring but use before risk of running to seed. If extra fine leeks are required they should be grown in specially prepared trenches. Leeks should be popular in Taupo as even the severest winter cannot harrn the plants. Celery. It is late enough for planting out celery seedlings but as this is such an excellent vegetable to grow (it will be worth putting some in. This is one of the vegetables that can be used either as a salad or when cooked When planting take out a trench eighteen inches deep, pack the soil up evenly on either side In the trench bottom put at least six inches of well rotted farm manure, dig over to mix with the soil and finish off with three inches of compost or good loatm. Lift the plants carefully with a ball of soil and plant in the trench about nine to twelve inches apart and water. As a matter of fact, it being a bog plant, it requires plenty of water at all times. In order that celery may be fit to eat it must be blanched. This is done by gradually filling in ihe trench around the plants, but do not earth higher than the Jeaves. If you do not want the extra work of digging trenches it is possible to get what is termed a self-blanching celery. Carrots. In most places in New Zealand autumn planted carrots are quite successful but in Taupo mine have never been worth the trouble. Perbaps if you have a good water supply you may get sufficient growth, before the cold weather sets in.