GARDENING NOTES

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 68, 6 May 1953, Page 3

GARDENING NOTES

(By

"Flora")

No Time To Waste Although the winter season draws near there is no let-up for the arden t gardener. In fact, few are the days there is not something of outstanding importance to be done in ] .our gardens. . Uroad 'i Beans ; ' ' ! Bgoad beans I think, are one ;otj the main standbys in Taupo vege- j table gardens-, where, unless you .are.- j particuiarly fortunate in having an ! extremely sunny site facing away from the cold winds of spring, it is difficult to get spring vegetables matured at an early date. But broad beans come in reasonably early if they are planted now and allowed to grow slowly through the winter. They do not make niuch top growth, but the roots appear to get firmly established, so that as soon as a few warm days altrive the plants sh,oot away and are soon cropping well. The broad bean is not particular as to soil and will grow readily in otui ligth soil as in heavier ones.

Use Of Manures The principal plant nufcrient re- 1 qiiired for the broad bean. is phosphoric aeid and a dressing of" superphosphate, four o'unces pei square yard usually gives good results. In otrr light; soil a small araounfc of potash is beneflcial in prevenfing disease, particuiarly rust, whicji is oiften prevalent in damp seasons. Ap-j parently phosphates- ■ have a stimulatjn effect on the nitrogen-hxuig baeferia before they enter the roots of the bean plants. Planting Open up a drill two to three inches deep and six inches wide, and stagger the beans so that they are about six inches apart. The plants require little attention when young, but keep well hoed and should the weather be boisterous drawT a little soil up round the stems. In the spring when the plants reach about three feet six inches in height nip out the tops. This eneourges flowering. A sharp look-out should be kept for the black aphis and directly it appears a dusting of derris should be given. It you have planted your beans in an exposed position, run strings along the sides of the rows, tying it to stakes every few feet. This will save the gardener the dis■appointment of finding his plants flattened after high winds. The Flower Garden There is still time to set out some of the flower seedlings obtainable now, but if planting is delayed the plants have little cbance to become well established before the cold weather sets in., The followmg few, if put in now, will flower early: Ieeland poppies, rYallflowers, carnations, pansies and stock. If a northerly aspect can be given this will be all to the good.