GARDEN MEMORANDA FOR JANUARY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 364, 16 January 1880, Page 2

GARDEN MEMORANDA FOR JANUARY.

WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE AKAROA MAIL

Kitchen Garden.

After the soaking of rain we have had, the ground is in fine condition for planting the principal crops of the cabbage tribe for winter and spring use. Transplant leeks and celery ; sow spinach ; put in the last sowing of peas, choosing an early sort; a sowing of French beans may yet be put in ; a large sowing of turnips should now be made. Stir the ground frequently between the rows of all growing crops. Where cauliflowers are coming to maturity faster than they can he used, a good plan is to cut and hang them heads downward in some cool place ; scoop a hole in the stalk and fill it with water; look over them every day, and fill up the holes as the water is absorbed. I have cauliflowers now treated this way that are as fresh as when cut five weeks ago. Be careful to keep weeds from ripening their seed. About this season people seem to get careless about their vegetable gardens, forgetting that every weed that ripens its seed at present means work for the hoe perhaps for years to come. Fruit Garden. Plum, cherry, peach, and apricot trees may now be budded, v Remove all suckers from grafts, and secure the young shoots from the effects of the wind. Continue to prune all gross and superfluous shoots on fruit trees of whatever kind. Support branches that are likely to be broken by heavy crops. Flower Garden. Increase pinks and carnations either by pipings or layers. Take up and dry bulbous roots —the decaying leaves will show when they are fit for drying. Clear away the decaying stems of herbaceous plants that have done flowering. Keep borders and beds clear of weeds—hoe, if possible, during bright sunshine, and this, if properly done, will both kill weeds and slugs ; the latter will be round very destructive now that the gnund is full of moisture.