Page 26 - SV 3 2024

The month’s work – July
This is two gardeners work for July, one from the Southern area and the other from Northern area, I did not realise there was much difference in the climate of Eire, but Irish members will no doubt correct me on that! I am not sure whether the cultivars recommended are still available.
Southern and Western Counties. By W. Campbell., Head Gardener to Lord Castletown, Donerailc Court, Co. Cork. Vegetable Garden.
Kidney Beans – About the first or second week of the month make a final sowing
of Kidney Beans. If a narrow border is available, it would be a good plan to sow
a few rows in it when a temporary frame could be placed over them in the autumn before early frost gets them. Plant out Broccoli, Savoy, and Borecole. If the ground is dry at the time of planting water must be given until the plants have started to grow. Look over Cauliflowers and any that are hearting break a leaf or two over them to prevent them from getting discoloured by the sun. Complete the planting out of Leeks and Celery as advised last month.
Cabbage – About the 20th of the month make a first sowing of Cabbage seed for spring cutting; Flower of Spring, April Queen and Ellam’s Early are good varieties to sow now as they are not liable to run
to seed. If sown in drills water well with a rose-can before covering the seed; this will ensure rapid germination. Birds are not so troublesome at this time of year as they are in the spring, still it is as well to be prepared for them by placing a net over the seeds. Tomatoes that have been planted outdoors will now require some attention. Keep all side growths pulled off, pinch out the point of the next stem above the fourth or fifth truss of flower; feed the plants liberally as soon as one or two trusses have set their fruit.
Turnips – Make a sowing of Orange Jelly and also some more of the white varieties; dust the seedlings as they come over ground with a mixture of soot and lime (no longer recommended – Ed) to ward off attacks of Turnip fly. Sow Lettuce and Endive for winter use and also a little more Chicory.
Spinach Beet – This is a most useful vegetable, especially in the spring when green vegetables are scarce. Prepare
a piece of ground by deep digging and enrich with some good manure; sow thinly in drills fifteen inches apart, afterwards thinning the seedlings out to six inches apart; the thinning can be transplanted if required.
Peas – A mulch of manure laid along the
rows of Peas will greatly benefit them by keeping the ground moist and cool about the roots, also acting as a stimulant after a shower of rain or when water is given.
Midland and Northern Counties. E. Rutherford, Late Gardener to C. W. Dunbaii Buller, Esq., D.L., Wobuni, Donaghadee.
Kitchen Garden
Cauliflowers. – Early Cauliflowers that are coming to maturity require some protection. Bend some of the leaves over those not quite ready for use to protect the heads. Plants with fully developed heads that are not required for present use should be pulled up by the roots and placed in
a cool shed. Cauliflowers develop rapidly at this season. Caterpillars should be destroyed by hand picking neglected they will do a lot of damage.
Spring Cabbages. – Make a small sowing of Cabbage to obtain plants for an early supply. Choose an open
situation where the ground
is not too rich and sow
the seeds thinly in drills fourteen inches apart. Protect the seeds from birds. Flower of Spring and Early Offenham are good sorts. When the earliest batch are growing well, they should not be allowed to suffer for want of water. Give liquid manure from the farmyard.
signs of the Onion grub and be prepared to spray with paraffin emulsion (no longer used! Ed).
Celery Leaf Blight – This fungoid disease has been very prevalent in some districts for some few years past, and it is almost impossible to save them once they are badly attacked. Spray with a mixture of copper sulphate 1 lb., lime fresh, 1 lb. to
10 gallons of water. Spray at intervals of three weeks during growing period. Where plants have been attacked burn all leaves removed from the plants.
Parsley – Make a sowing of Parsley to provide plants for use during the winter and spring. Do not sow in rich soil but on poor ground, as the plants will be better able
to withstand the cold winter. A sheltered position is best. Plants from this sowing may be transplanted to sheltered positions.
Lettuce – Continue to make frequent small sowings of Lettuce where a constant supply is required. Transplant as soon as
Colewort - this useful
vegetable should be
planted towards the end of the month. Choose rich ground and allow the plants a space of sixteen inches each way. Water if necessary.
Broccoli - where old Strawberry beds have been cleared off, the ground may
be planted with late sown plants of April Queen and Victory Broccoli. After the Strawberries have been removed hoe the soil well and rake the surface, but do not dig the beds, as firm soil is best to produce strong plants to withstand the winter. Make the holes by means of a small crowbar. In dry weather water the roots until the plants take hold of the ground.
Winter Greens – Continue to plant winter crops as the ground becomes vacant.
Early Potatoes – These should be lifted as soon as ready in order to prepare the ground for some winter crop.
Onions – Spring-sown Onions should, during dry weather, be well watered
with liquid manure, and occasional light dressing of artificial manure. Watch for any
the Marrows as soon as fit for use.
Shallots which are full grown should now
be taken up. The leaves begin to wither when the bulbs have attained their full size. Place them on a hard surface where they will get full benefit of sunshine to ripen the bulbs; when ripened place in a cool shed where they will get plenty of light.
General – All ground left vacant by the removal of crops should be immediately re-cropped. If pits are available, they should be filled with French Beans as soon as possible to furnish a Iate supply. Seeds should be sown in rows, and the seedlings afterwards carefully thinned to give light and air. Apply water freely as soon as the plants are well through the surface. During fine weather keep the hoe going among growing crops and attend to weeding. Asparagus beds should be kept free from weeds.
When the earliest batch are growing well, they should not be allowed to suffer for want of water.
the plants are fit to handle. Peas – As soon as
the late sown ones are sufficiently advanced stakes should be placed in position and made secure.
Carrots – Young Carrots sown last month will
soon be fit for thinning. Dust frequently with soot. -Keep free from weeds by frequent use of the hoe.
Vegetable Marrows – Give a liberal supply of liquid manure at the roots during dry weather, and cut
26 Simply Vegetables