FOR THE WOMAN GARDENER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1938, Page 8

FOR THE WOMAN GARDENER

SOME SEASONABLE HINTS. The price of vegetables during the past few months has brought wrinkles on the hitherto untroubled foreheads of not a few anxious housewives, and there are many women now turning their attention to the growing of vegetables who never gave a thought to the subject before. Although it entails a good deal of labour, making the kitchen garden reproductive is worth while, as it not only means a constant supply of fresh, wholesome greens, but it is also a means of helping to balance the family budget. For the vegetable beds, a warm, sunny position is best, but, if the plots have to be exposed to cold winds, some sort of shelter will have to be provided. If the soil is poor, work into it a good dressing of well-decayed manure and a small quantity of bone-dust oi’ other fertiliser. It cannot be stressed too strongly that well-prepared soil .will ensure good results, particularly in vegetable gardening. To facilitate cultivation, divide the plots into beds, leaving paths between the beds. Those who desire to raise their own plants should reserve a warm, sunny corner of the garden for a seed bed. This should be sheltered by a fence or wall, and protected from animals or birds. The use of a hessian-covered frame for protection during the heat of the day and from frosts at night is advisable.

Buy only the best seed; it is not worth while expending time and. labour on raising inferior seed. '

PLANTING. SEEDS. Small seeds such as lettuce, cabbage, celery, carrot, herbs, etc., should be sown sparingly in shallow drills, and covered with fine soil, the surface being firmly stamped afterwards to assist germination. Larger seeds such as peas, beans, etc., may be sown one to three inches deep. After sowing, if the weather is dry, water thoroughly. Transplant the seedlingse when large enough, choosing a dull, moist day for the operation. Soak the seed bed well, then lift the plants carefully with as much soil as possible adhering, and take care not-to break the roots. With a dibble make holes in the prepared bed, and lower the plants into the holes, . pressing the soil firmly round the roots. Water them well. To ensure even planting use a garden line or a length of string tied.to two sticks. Frequent working of the soil between the plants with a fork or hoe is essential, and the greatest care must be taken to prevent the roots being injured in the process. < The plants should have plenty of space, so that the sun can penetrate the soil. This is as important for vegetables as for flowers at this time of the year. Guard against insect pests and disease. A tin with holes drilled in the bottom can be filled with lime and used for sprinkling round the plants at night, when snails and slugs are out on their depredations. Do not make the mistake of putting in too many of one kind of vegetable at a time, rather plant a few regularly every week or so, thus providing a succession. In this way the plants will not be wasted, as would be the case if all the plants reached maturity at the same time. CROP ROTATION. It is necessary that different kinds of crops should follow ea'ch other, leafy vegetables after root vegetables, and vice versa. Land for growing vegetables should be fallowed occasionally—that is, after a crop has been taken from it, the ground should be left to rest for a time. This exposure to sun and air is beneficial to a succeeding crop. Among vegetable seeds to be sown now are asparagus, beet, dwarf and tall French beans and butter beans (in a warm situation), broad beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, capsicum and cape-gooseberry (in warm situation), celery, cress, herbs, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, purple egg plant, radish, rhubarb, tomatoes (under cover), and turnip.