NOW IS THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT SOWING OF HARDY VEGETABLES

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 290, 29 August 1957, Page 6

NOW IS THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT SOWING OF HARDY VEGETABLES

(By Flora) By the beginning of September, it is time to begin thinking about the sowing of some of the hardiest of the vegetables. Sorne people will have already planted, but little will be gained by too early sowing, unless eloches are used. Germination requires three things ; moisture, which means that the soil being used should not be in too dry a condition ; air, for which a porous soil is necessary, not one that is at all water-logged, and finally warmth, especially of the soil. Preparing Plot The plot to be used should have previously been dug; now it will be necessary to rake well, till a'l particles 'of soil are in a fine. condition. If Ihe land is leit rough, the small seeds ma.y fall into crevices and be buried by large pori ioiis of unpulverised soil. The addition of huiuus in the form of compost, or decayed farmyard manure, is of great benefit to our light pumice soil, improving its physical sti'ucture, making it more retentive of moisture, and so assisting in the conservation of plant food which might otherwise be lost through leaching. The fertiliser to be used should be sprinkled over tlie area before raking begins. Also, tlie aim should be to get a comparatively level surface, as if tlie bed is left.in mounds the moisture will tend to run to the lower levels. Sow iufmediately after rain rather tban before. A hard crust is inclined to form 011 tlie soil after rain, which proves an obstacle to tlie young seedlings, thus tending to delay germination. Broad Beans : This bean is not particular as to soil, and will grow as readily on light land as 011 heavier loams. Open up a drill two to three inches tfeep and five to six inclies wide, and stagger tlie bean seeds so they are six inches apart. watch for black apliis will be ncccssary for spring-sown broad beans: directly tliis. first appears, a dusting or spraying with derris should be given. Green Peas : This is the most popular vegetable, but oue whose supply is often sliort-1 ived, and l'egular sowings are advised to keep up the supply. It is usual to sow oue of tlie dwcrf varieties as a lirst crop, eitlier W. F. Massey or Little Marvel, leaving the taller growers for the next sowing. An alternative is to buy oue of the larger packets eontaiiiiiig three varieties which mature at suitable intervals. For sowing, open up a shallow 1 rencb about six inches wide, and place the peas in three staggered rows. As the crop coines through tlie ground cover 11' possible with iietting or black cottoii to keep off birds. It is said that deliydrated lime sprinkled along tlie rows is an excellent deterrent. Peas should be staked wlien they are about two inches liigh ; this will encourage growtb, and keep tlie vines from trailing 011 tlie ground, so avoiding rotted pods. Carrots : This vegetable should be in all gardens, and it is possible to have them all tlie year round. Carrots are useful botli cooked and in salads. IJnfortunately, the carrot fly has a rrived in Taupo, but tliere. are several va rieties of seed" that are said to be resistant to the attacks of the fly. One, Taranaki Strong To'p is recommended. Ilorticultiiral napthaline broadcast o.ver the foliage is effective as a repellant. Carrots respond well to a well cultivated, sandy loam. 8ow tlie seeds sparingb.3' 111 drills tbree-quarters-of-an-incli deep. After sowing, the soil should be raked over so tliat tlie seed is ,iust covered. It. is difficult to get good germination unless the soil is warm.