GARDEN MEMORANDA FOR OCTOBER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 126, 2 October 1877, Page 2

GARDEN MEMORANDA FOR OCTOBER.

General Remarks,

If previous instructions have been attended to, we may safely that plenty of work in the way of transplanting will require to he done, both in the flower and kitchen garden, during the present month, for besides the various kinds of vegetables and flowers that have been raised from seed, and will need removal, there will be the geraniums, verbenas, and a host of other flowering plants that have, or ought to have, been preserved in pots or boxes under glass, and will require to be planted into the beds and borders of the flower garden.

Transplanting in the flower and kitchen garden departments, though more general this month, is by no means confined to it, but forms part of the work of both for eight months of the year. In the kitchen garden, transplanting can be done during the spring and early summer months with ease and certainty, but, as the season advances, it becomes much more difficult, and failure is no uncommon thing; in the flower garden the greatest care is necessary at all times, the- subjects being so much more delicate and susceptible of injury. More plants die in removal through getting dry in the roots, before being again transplanted, than from any'other cause, and the best way to remedy this is to puddle them. Puddling, or inudding, is dipping the roots of plants into thin mud, and retaining them there until again planted, and though we are now directing attention to the seedling plants raised for planting out into the flower and kitchen gardens, it applies with equal force to trees, shrubs, and plants of all kinds. Common garden soil, or this mixed with a portion of cow manure and water will answer the purpose very well, but the following will be found much better, and being so exceedingly simple should have the preference. Three pounds of garden soil, half a pound of soot, one ounce of salt, and a gallon of water, or about the same proportions in larger or smaller quantities as required. In conclusion we advise that everything be puddled in transplanting; it is one of ths best aids to success, and should be universally adopted. Kitchen Gabden. Brocoli, Brussels' Sprouts, Borecole, Cauliflower, Savoy, and Cabbage, may still be sown, previous sowings should be pricked out about six inches apart, as soon as large enough to handle, they will thus become fine stocky plants by the time they are wanted for planting out in November or December. Sow Celery for the main crop, and prick out the plants of the earliest sowings into ground prepared with a good dressing of half rotten manure, if the bed be only five or six inches deep on a bard bottom so much the better, the plants will then lift with nice balls of earth when required for putting into the trenches. Continue to sow Lettuce in drills, and thin out those of former sowings, the thinnings can be transplanted if the weather be favourable. Sow Peas of any medium and late sorts, and earth up and stake the tall growing sorts that are well through the ground. Continue to earth up Potatoes as they advance, and get in without delay those still implanted. The main crop of Carrots, if not already in, should be sown at once, and about the middle of the month a sowing of French and Runner Beans may be made. Tomato plants should be hardened off, and the ground prepared for their finul planting our. Sow herbs of various kinds, and divide old. roots of such sorts as Thyme, Sage, &c. Throughout the kitchen garden the hoe should be kept actively at work, in order to keep down weeds and promote a healthy growth by opening the soil. Flower Garden. Sowings of annuals, such as Mignonette, Saponaria and Candytuft may still be made in the spots where they are intended to bloom, and th« early sown ones thinned out to from three to six plants in a patch. Stocks, Asters, Phlox Drutnondii, French Marigolds, and the like, may either be planted in beds like ordinary bedding plants, or put singly cr in patches about the flower garden. Geraniums, Verbenas, Petunias, Fuchsias, &c, that have been stored in pots and boxes through the winter may be planted out toward the end of the month. Now is also a good time for putting"in Gladiolus bulbs. The edgings of Box, Veronica, Thyme, &c, should be clipped and new edgings formed where wanted.

All flower beds and borders must be kept free from weeds and nicely raked, the lawn and grass verges frequently mown, walks weeded, and a generally neat and trim appearance maintained throughout.