GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 191, 23 September 1955, Page 7

GARDENS IN TAUPO

Spring Sowings

(By

Flora)

What a thrill it is when your first vegetable seeds show above the ground. You can almost taste the first picking'of the sweet green peas as you gaze along the row. But it is far from -dreaming time as far as garden work is coneerned, for you must get further seeds sown. Silver Beet Few would care to have a steady diet of this vegetable, but it is certainly a must in every garden, and if grown well can be a pleasant addition to a root vegetable. You may either sow the seed in its permanent home or in some corner, until the main plot is ready, as it transplants readily. It should be planted out about 10 inches apart in ground that has had a dressing of three parts superphosphate to one part of ammonia, or of a "complete fertiliser." At no time must the plants be overcrowded or they will become weak and leggy. Should you find a few seedlings that have survived the winter discard them, as they invariably run to seed immediately the warm weather comes. Spinach .Spinach is essentially a cool weather vegetable and you see it in the shops at present. But in Taupo you may sow the seed now. Like the silver beet, It needs a soil rich in humus, with the addition of the same fertiliser. Use as soon as the plants are

large enough, as they quickly run to seed during periods of long warm days. Gut the entire «plant when using. If conditions are favourable it takes about 10 weeks to ma ture. Beetroot This may also be sown now. Perhaps not a great favourite, no doubt because the roots are grown too large, and in consequence tend to be coars?. Many regard redbeet served with vinegar as an accompaniment to cold meat. But they have become popular served hot, either mashed with butter or served whole. If y°u have sown the seed too thickly the plants will readily transplant, especially if moved before the actual root has started to swell. As for other crops, regular hoeings are necessary, but they have to be carefully done, as the roots should not be damaged, as if they bleed the colour is lost. Lettuce

There is no doubt that the lettuce is the most popular of all salad crops. For your first cutting of lettuce you may be well advised to buy a few seedlings— unless, of course, you have been able to sow earlier under glass. But for futur'e use sow the seed immediately. For these first crops the seedlings may either be allowed to grow where they are sown or may be transplant* ed. It is later in the season that transplanted lettuce plants run to seed without hearting. When transplanting lettuce handle carefully, as the plants . are tender and can be easily damaged. The roots dry out quickly, so do not leave exposed to the air. Plant firmly, but not deeply or the plants remain "peaky." Although lettuce require a moist root-run at all times, they, lik^ most other plants, hate a ground that is perpetually soggy, so donT overwater. • In fact, this should not be necessary at this time of the yeai. . There are many varieties of lettuce that may be grown. Great Lakes is one that has recently come into favour; also the Imperials 615 and 847. Both kinds apparently stand up to drought conditions better than most. Potatoes You may plant your early crop potatoes now if you so desire, but mid-October is soon enough for the main crop. Besides all this seed sowing there are other jobs to be seen to. Dig in green crops ; it takes several weeks for this ground to be ready for sowing after the digging is done.