THE GARDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 3

THE GARDEN

Seasonal Notes for Amateurs NEW YEAR W'ORK At this time of the year there are. in most gardens, plots empty or about to become empty. Potatoes dug for Christmas have been lifted, peas and white onions have all matured and there will be space vacant after shallots, broad beans and. later on. onions. Between successive crops the ground should be well forked over and given a dressing of artificial fertiliser. Plants to be setout now to mature in winter include broccoli, brussels sprouts, savoy cajbage and silver beet. Advantage can be taken of the good conditions that will develop when the soil dries out to sow root crops for winter use. Carrots are perhaps the best all round stand by. and yellow fleshed turnips are often useful. OTHER WORK Keep the laterals pinched off the tomatoes which are developing rapidlv after the rain. See that the stakes are giving support to the vines Quick sue cessive small sowings of lettuces should be made to provide material for salads in the later summer months. Dwarf and butter beans may be sown as may tall varieties of peas. Leeks which are not particular as to soil conditions and are one of the best winter vegetables, should be planted out now. BROCCOLI Broccoli is grown by comparatively few home gardeners because of the long time it takes to mature. Where there is sufficient space this is a most profitable and useful crop which can provide a fresh vegetable just when they are in short supply. If plants have not been raised from seed they should be purchased now and set out. There are two distinct kinds of broccoli, the heading varieties which are like large fine cauliflowers, and the sprouting variety which send up smaller shoots over a long period. The latter is usually the best kind for the small garden. This crop needs a rich piece of ground and should be given ample room. The moist ground at present provides an exceptional opportunity for successful planting out. A good winter maturing variety is Penzance, for spring Leamington and Purple Sprouting, and for late spring and early summer Late Queen or Veitches Model. TWO FINE SUBJECTS Growing on the Church Hill facing north is to be seen a specimen of the Pomegranate (Punica granatum). This can be classed in this district as among the finest of the mid-summer flowering shrubs. It is quite hardy, free flowering, and of good habit and foliage. The flowers are orange-red with a cream fringe to the outer petals and are followed by golden red fruits. The height of the tree is about 10ft. Aesculus indica is a very handsome Himalayan species of the horse chestnut and one of the most magnificent of all the temperate trees. Its large panicles of white and pink floorers are borne from four to six weeks later than the common type. This should not be planted in the cottage garden, although there are inany large sections which could accommodate this favourite. At present it is in flow.er on the eastern lawn of Wigzell Gardens.