Garden Notes - Transplanting Seedlings

Transplanting Seedlings

The seeds of most Greenhouse Plants may be sown in well drained seed pans filled with a compost of equal parts of loam, leaf mould and silver sand, to which a little fine charcoal has been added. The pan is then placed in a frame containing cocoanut fiber. As soon as possible after the appearance of the leaves transplant. Seedlings in Begonia, &c., require careful handling, and should be lifted with a small forked stick, a dibber being used to make the holes.

Raising Early Peas

Cut some turves and expose for a time grass-side downwards, so that the birds may cleanse them of the wireworms, &c. A sucking with very dilute twine will assist this operation. Sow the seed thickly in lines along each turf, and cover with fine earth. Keep frame closed until plants appear, when are must be admitted. Plant seedlings out in March or April, turves being simply lifted out of frame and laid in strips in the ground; earth up, and stake in usual way.

Sowing Peas

Before sowing Peas the soil should be trenched and well manured. They like an open sunny position, sheltered from N. and E. winds. Shallow drills are made, 4 of 5 in. wide and about 3 in. deep, and running N. and S. In these the Peas are sown dwarf varieties 1 in., medium varieties 2 in. and tall varieties 3 in. apart. The distance between the rows must also be suited to the class of Pea, varying from 18 in. for dwarf up to 6 or 8 ft. for tall varieties. The main crop should be sown in March, and successional sowings in April and May.

Planting Potatoes

Heavy soil in which Potatoes are to be planted should be ridged up in autumn raked over to spring, and dug over just before planting. The seed tubers, having been sprouted in show boxes, and disbudded (only the two strongest shoots being allowed to remain), should be planted out in March. Shallow trenches, 7 in deep and 2 ft. apart, are dug and lined with artificial manure. In these the tubers are planted 12 to 15 in. apart, and the soil raked over. When the stems are 4 in. above ground earth up with the hoe.

Planting Cabbages

The first sowing should be made about the middle of March-this will give the late autumn and winter supply. Other sowings may be made at intervals to the beginning of august-these will come in for spring and summer use. Sow 1 oz. Of seed to five square yards, and thin out to obtain strong sturdy plants. In planting out space should be allowed according to the size of the variety selected-about 24 in. each way is usual. Water before, rather than after planting.