| |
|
BEANS
DWARF AND HARICOT
The ministry's cropping plan provides for two rows of
dwarfs. The plants of dwarfs are tender and should not be sown in the open
until mid-April in the south and mid-May in the north. Successive batches
can be sown until mid-July. Rows should be 2 ft. or 2-1/2 ft. apart, with 9
in. between plants. Use a dibber, or draw a shallow trench with a hoe, about
2 in. deep. If you put two seeds at each interval you can reckon on a
regular stand. Pull out the unwanted weaker plant, when sufficiently
advanced. A light mulching of the surface with lawn mowings, decayed leaves
or compost will help to keep the plants growing.
If you grow haricots for storing, you proceed as for dwarfs, but
you don't pick any green pods. How you deal with them will be dealt with in
a later Guide.
BEET
The official cropping plan provides for two rows of Globe
Beet. The globe variety matures quickly and is suitable for general
cultivation. It is easier to boil in the usual kitchen pot than the longer
varieties末a point that the missus will appreciate. Sow globe crops in
April, longer varieties in May. Drills should be 1-1/2 to 2 in. deep and at
least 1 ft. apart. Sow seeds in small clusters 6 in. apart, to avoid waste,
and thin the plants to one when three leaves have formed. A few strands of
black cotton stretched above the rows will protect the seedlings from
troublesome birds.
CABBAGES
The Ministry's cropping plan does not include cabbages for
use in summer and early autumn, except as an alternative to runner beans in
cold districts. If you have enough room, however, and you would like a
choice of green vegetables in late summer, sow a row now in the seedbed (see
page 3 of March Guide).
|
|
CARROTS
The first sowing of carrots末a stump-rooted kind末(to
provide roots for summer and autumn) should be made in early April. The
storage crop is best sown in May or early June. If sown early, thinnings may
be pulled and used as early carrots without harming the rest of the crop;
but the ground must be made firm again after thinning out, to reduce the
danger of carrot fly attack. A late sowing in mid-July will provide tender
young carrots for use the following spring (April末May).
Sow seed thinly in drills drawn 1 ft. apart and 1 in. deep. As
carrot seed is small, mix a little dry earth or sand to avoid too thick
sowing, which wastes seed and means a good deal of thinning. First thin in
the seedling stage and keep the bed free from weeds by frequent use of the
hoe. Plants should finally be 6 in. apart.
LETTUCE
Continue to sow a short row (1/2 in. deep) every fortnight,
to make sure of crops in succession. (See March Guide,
page 4).
PEAS
The March Guide (page 4) dealt with the sowing of peas. This
is just to remind you to sow maincrop peas in April. For late crops you can
sow such varieties as Little Marvel and Onward as late as June. Unless your
soil is in very good heart, a top dressing of super-phosphate末2 ounces per
square yard末at blossom time helps the pods to swell. (cont'd next page) |
| |
|
|
Please
see Mulch, Intensive & Lazy
Gardening for alternative planting and growing methods requiring less
space, less seed, less weeding, less watering, etc.
[ed. note] earthly pursuits
urges everyone to avoid "artificials" (chemical fertilizers) if possible and
practice sustainable, organic gardening. |
