BEFORE SEED PLANTING, PREPARE YOUR GROUND CAREFULLY

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 286, 1 August 1957, Page 8

BEFORE SEED PLANTING, PREPARE

YOUR GROUND CAREFULLY

Before seed-planliiig begins next month, a few thoughts should be given to the preparation of the seed-beds. After as mueh coinpost as is available has beeii spread over the area set aside for spring sowing, dig lightly to avoid burying the humus too deeply, then rake to a fine tilth. Besides coinpost, fertiliser should be applied, an added aid to quick growth. The tliree chief plant foods are nitrogen (nitrates) , phospliorus ( phosphate) and potash. Nitrogen is the growth food, helping to produce large plants, dark green foliage, and giving a look of well-being to Ihe plant. It is provided .in the form of sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda. TOP DRESSING FOR LAWNS The former is the most comanon "form Botli are highly soluble and both forms should be used during the growing'season. They ma y be applied in erystal form; for instance, a piueh a round each lettuce or cabbage or made into a liquid fertiliser by dissolving one ounce to oue gallon of water. It is important tliat they be applied to a moist soil only, between showers if possible. If farmyard manure is obtainable in sufiicient qmintities it will not be necessary to resort to fertiliser. The recognised t op-d ressing for lawns is three parts sulphate oi; ammonia to oue part superpliosphate. Used at the rate of two ounces to each square yard, and apply during ihe autumn and again in the spring. , Phosphate : This aids the developmeni of flowers and fruit, also doing uiueli to stinmlate root formai ipo. In seed-beds, pliosphates lielp to produce wel 1- r ooted seedlings. Pliosphates are supplied as superpliosphate, hasic slag or bonc dust. Superphosphate may be used by the plant immediately, as it. is soluble. It may be applied before sowing Ihe seed or putting out plants at the rate of one ounce to the square yard. Tbisic slag is often applied in early

winter to be used by the plants in the spring. It is recognised for using on heavy, clay soils, or those rich in huiuus. POTASH IMPORTANT Bone-meal is slow in aetion, and remains in the soil for severn] years, gradually releasing its plant food. Inor tliat reason it is recommended for ali bulb and slirub planting. Potash: This plays an important part in tlie production of firm, wellflavoured vegetables. It is needed by all erops, pa rticularly peas and beans. Plants grown with sufficient potash liave firm leaves, and are more resislant to disease. The iighter soils are normally (leiieieut in this plant food. Where farmyard manure is used, the addition of potash is not so important. Sulphate of potash is the form usually used, and may be aplied af the rate of oue ousiee to the square yard. Most people prefer to bny a eomplete fertiliser mixed in correct proportions, containing nitrogen, pliosphates and potash. Fish manure is oue that is quite popular, although it does not always contain potash, depending on the manufaeturer. Those who wisli to mix tlieir own fertiliser should purchase superphosphate, sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of potash, varying the mixture aceordi ng to the requirements of the plant. For general manure use three parts. superphosphate, one part sulpliate of ammonia and one part sulphate of potash. For root erops, use five parts superphosphate, one part sulphate of ammonia and one part sulphate of potash. For the legumens, four parts superphosphate, two parts sulphate of potash and one part sulphate of ammonia. Onee these mixtures have been prepared, tliey should be applied at the rate of three ounces to the square yard.