June Gardening
Melon to Turnips
Melon - For a final crop in houses sow as previously directed, and
grow the plants on in pots, until the house can be cleared of the former set for their
reception. The growth should be pushed forward to insure ripe fruit before the end of
September. In the event of dull weather at the finish, there will be all the greater need
of abundant but judicious ventilation, and of a warm dry atmosphere at night. Before they
become heavy every fruit should have the support of nets or thin pieces of board suspended
by wires from the corners.
Mushrooms - may be prepared for now. The first step towards success is to
accumulate a long heap of horse-droppings with the least possible amount of litter. Let
this ferment moderately, and turn it two or three times, always making a long heap of it,
which keeps down the fermentation. When the fire is somewhat taken out of it, make up the
bed with a mixture of about four parts of the fermented manure and one part of turfy loam,
well incorporated. Beat the stuff together with the flat of the spade as the work
proceeds, fashioning the bed in the form of a ridge about three feet wide at the base, and
of any length that may be convenient. Give the work a neat finish, or the Mushrooms will
certainly not repay you. Put in rather large lumps of spawn when the bed is nicely warm,
cover with a thin layer of fine soil, and protect with mats or clean straw. This is a
quick and easy way of growing Mushrooms, and by commencing now the season is all before
one. Nine times in ten, people begin preparations for Mushroom growing about a month too
late, for the spawn runs during the hot weather, and the crop rises when the moderate
autumnal temperature sets in.
Onions - to be sown for salading. Forward beds of large sorts to be
thinned in good time. The best Onions for keeping are those of moderate size, perfectly
ripened; therefore the thinning should not be too severe.
Peas - may still be sown, and as the season advances preference should be
given to quick-growing early varieties.
Turnips - may be sown in variety and in quantity after Midsummer Day. Sow
on well-prepared ground, and put a sprinkle of artificial manure in the drills with the
seed. By hastening the early growth of the plant the fly is kept in check.
Source: The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots, 16th Edition
1921, Sutton and Sons