GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume V, Issue 207, 20 January 1956, Page 3

GARDENS IN TAUPO

Planting Now For Winter

(By

Flora)

With an abundance of summer vegetables on hand one is liable to overlook the fact that it is now time to plant for winter harvesting. This may sound a little dreary when one is sated with green peas and runner beans. But one is glad enough later on for the winter vegetables. Cabbages The Savoy cabbage is the one usually favoured for the winter and early spring supply — a variety called "Best of All" is reiiabie. Seedlings should be obtained if possible, as it is somewhat late for the sowing of seed. But if seedlings are not procurable it would still be weli worth whiie to sow a few seeds. This also applies to Brussel Sprouts and Broccoli. These three vegetables respond to a well manured plot and one that carried your first green peas would be suitable, with the addition of equal parts of superphosphate and blood and bone, applied about 2ozs per \ square yard. Cabbages may be planted out about eighteen inches apart, but the other two require at least thirty inches between plants to do them justice. Brussel Sprouts must be flrmly planted in firni ground, Earth them up as they grow to prevent loosening by the wind. All the Brassica family are liable to be attacked by the white butterfly grub that is usually very prevalent during the next three months. To have them badly eaten may set them back to such an extent that they will not mature before the cold weather sets in. To protect, Spray the plants with arsenate of lead, loz. to a gallon of water. Dusting with D.D.T. powder is also effective, but must be done more frequently. Carrots A question often asked is whether autumn-sown carrots do well in Taupo. If you are able to water it is well worth sowing a row during January. Even if a regular water supply is not available, try some. Those grown last year came away with the first rains, and though they did not grow very large were a standby through till late spring. Later sowings than this are not advisable wherb winter conditions are severe. Where water is available, so that soil moisture may be obtained during February and March, a sowing of swedes may still be made. Yellow fleshed turnips stand cold conditions better than white, so put in the variety Golden Ball, or something similar. Routine Work Keep runner beans well picked and they should continue bearing for many weeks. Should they be slow in setting, spray with clear water to aid fertilization. Spray the Tomatoes and Potatoes with a Copper spray (Cuprox is recommended). It is better to keep the plants free from disease than to try and cure them once they have been affected. If you are growing dwarf tomatoes cover the ground around the plants with sawdust — first see that the ground is saturated — this will keep the fruit clean and hasten ripening. Should the pumpkins be making too much growth, to the detriment of bearing, the runners may be pinched back when they are four or five feet long. Keep the onion bed free of weeds, for damp conditions encourage mildew.