GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 149, 3 December 1954, Page 7

GARDENS IN TAUPO

SOME TIMELY REMINDERS

(By

"Flora")

Sweet Corn. There are still some vegetables seeds not already mentioned that may be sown, among them the sweet corn. This is becoming more and more popular, and certainly makes a delicious dish when the cobs are young and the grains have reached the milky stage. Sweet corn will grow on almost any type of soil providing there is plenty of organic matter in the ground. As it is a frost tender subject no time should now be lost in putting in the seed. In addition to a copious dressing* of compost, give a sprinkling of superphosphate, about 8ozs to twelve feet of row. Open drills about one and a half inches deep and space the seeds about six inches apart. Sowing in a block is preferable to a row, as the plants will support each other and pollination is more assured. As the plant is shallow rooted do not hoe deeply. In fact if a good mulch is applied when the soil is damp it will do away I with any need to distujrb the roots. The cobs will be ready for eating when the silk tassles have withered, usually about 3 weeks to a month after flowering. Swedes. The swede is an extremely hardy vegetable. It has a delicacy of fiavour quite different from the turnip. Although it is a cool weather vegetable its growing season is long, so for a good crop the seeds should be sown in December. A good spot would be where the earliest crop of peas were grown if so a good sprinkling of superphosphate would be all the fertiliser needed. Thin the plants to about six inches apart. Pumpkins and Cucumbers. Pumpkins, marrows and cucumbers all belong to the same family — known as cucubits — and the same cultivation is applicable to all of them. These too are frost tender so should be sown without delay so that their fruits will mature before early frosts begin. Their chief requirement is a soil rich in organic matter. In fact they do well if planted on the compost heap — one that is about mature would be the best. Water is necessary should the season be a dry one. They have a lot of growth to produce in a rather short growing season. The plants are sometimes grown on "hills," but in Taupo where drainage is good they do as well on level ground and the surrounding soil will not so readily dry out should drought conditions prevail. Besides an adequate supply of compost — do not use fresh farmyard manure — they appreciate a dressing of superphosphate or fish manure. When the vines are about four feet long the tips may be cut out, this will help side shoots to develop which in time will produce more flowers. Lettuce. For a continuous supply of lettuce periodical sowings should be made. Sow where you require the plants to grow, as transplanting during the hot dry months is unsatisfactory. The plants will either bolt to seed or refuse to grow rapidly, the consequent product being tough and bitter. Should you decide to save your own lettuce seed, and there is no doubt home saved seed has a high germination percentage — leave the stump of a cut lettuce, one that has hearted well, in the ground, and soon a sturdy flowering stalk will grow. Reminders. Keep you potatoes hoed up toi

] prevent the greening of the tubers. Be sure to stake the peas, a better crop will result. Thin the carrots and parsnips should they be too thick in the row. Do it just after rain, and the plants left will soon settle back into the soil.