EARLY PEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1939, Page 3

EARLY PEAS

SOW ROW OR TWO NOW,

There is always a satisfaction in being able to gather green peas before one’s neighbours. To be able to do this, a row or two should be sown now. The warmest spot in the garden should be chosen and one that is well-drained. It is advisable to sow an early maturing variety, and one which remains dwarf. If the soil is wet, draw out drills five inches wide and three inches deep in the morning of a fine day, then sow the seeds in the late afternoon. In this way, the trench has an opportunity of drying out, and the peas are less likely to rot. Before the drills are drawn out. the soil should be made friable and superphosphate added at the rate of three ounces to the square yard, and sulphate of potash, one ounce to the same area. Where the soil is sandy or gravelly, and it seems advisable to increase the organic content, blood and bone or fish manure can be used at five ounces to the square yard instead of superphosphate. I One pint of seed should sow about! 60 feet of row. Where several rows are grown it will be necessary to space them out at distances according to the ultimate height of the variety. If the peas grow only 18 inches in height, the rows can be from 18 to 24 inches apart. In very severe weather, a light protection in the way of some twiggy branches, will be found of great benefit.