Gardeners Meet Demands Of War

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 178, 30 July 1942, Page 3

Gardeners Meet Demands Of War

ALTHOUGH August is technically the start of the gardening spring, it does not follow that a wholesale

planting programme PIiA\TIXG should be carried PROGRAMME out. The experience of Auckland in normal years is that the weather in August is wild and cold, with frosts of varying intensity. However, this month marks the end of the dormant period, so that growth is regulated by the condition of the soil and the atmosphere. With a few warm spells there is every chance of getting the spring crops off to a flying start. Adequate preparation is therefore of the greatest importance, and all ground should be dug and manured as soon as it is in a suitable condition. No attempt should be made to plant the frost-tender subjects, such as beans and tomatoes, as disappointment will be inevitable. However, more potatoes can be planted in warm spots, and if it is not proposed to put them out for a few weeks the seed should be obtained and set in trays to sprout. Peas are growing well now, and further rows should be sown. Germination and development will not be as quick as later in the spring,, but the root system will be developed to such an extent that a few weeks' fine weather will bring them on with a rush. Broad beans, carrots, onions, leeks, spinach and turnips can be sown in practically every district with safety. Lettuce will also stand a good chance of maturing, A pinch of seed should be sown every fortnight, or plants set out in good soil. Warmth is essential for the proper development of lettuce and it should be forced by generously lacing the soil with organic manure. Similar conditions are required for such crops as mustard and cress, red beet, radishes and parsley. Although silver beet responds better to ample manure it will grow under most soil conditions. Continue to plant out crowns of rhubarb in heavily manured soil.

'J'HE flower garden offers wider scope at the present time, although more households will naturally place this FTjOWERS FOR second in importTHE SPRING ance to the production of vegetables. However, with travel by car and train practically eliminated, week-ends should offer scope for all garden activities. Some of the more popular summer flowers for sowing now are antirrhinum, aquilegia, aster, coreopsis, celosia, carnation, clianthus, eschscholtzia, gaillardia, lobelia, lupin, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, phlox drummondi, nemesia, Iceland poppy, salpiglossis, statice and schizanthus. A wide range of perennials may also be planted, in addition to calla lilies, gladioli, gloriosa, gloxinia, flag iris, lily of the valley, lilium, tuberose and tuberose begonias. No time should be lost now in the planting of ornamental shrubs and trees, also hedges, climbers and roses. If trees are planted on a lawn, or the site of a lawn, special preparation is required for quick growth. The hole should be at least five feet across and dug two feet deep, with decayed refuse mixed with the hottom soil and manure mixed with the top soil. A mulch of manure or leaves placed on the soil round the tree in early summer will accelerate the rate of growth. Quick-growing perennials include Michaelmas daisy, delphinium, lupin, sidacea, artemesia lactifolia, golden rod, perennial sunflower, bocconia cordata (plume poppy), hollyhock, helenium, gaillardia, veronica longifolia and shasta daisy. Rambler roses should be set in well-trenched and manured ground. If pruned the spring following planting they will reach the top of a pillar or pergola by the end of the summer. Newlydug ground generally needs to be limed, and many failures are due to lack of lime. If the garden is prepared at this time of the year Jib per square yard of ground is sufficient to use. Weeds are now starting to grow and the constant use of the hoe is necessary to keep them in check. This is also a good time to overhaul the glasshouse and bush-house, carrying out repotting where necessary. Lawns should be topdressed in suitable weather conditions with sifted soil and sand.

pASSION FRUIT may be planted from now on. They need good drainage, moisture during the growing season and wellOROHARD worked soil. Although ACTIVITIES usually a tiny plant when set out, the passion fruit grows rapidly into a huge vine, and the preparation of the soil should be equivalent to that of a fruit tree. The best manures are bonedust or potash, which can be applied -in the form of wood ashes. The vines are best trained along wires, at a spot protected from cold winds but open on both sides so that disease and insect pests can be controlled. An examination of fruit trees, particularly old peaches, will disclose lichen on the branches. This can be removed by the use of a caustic soda spray before growth starts. The planting of fruit trees should be completed without delay. A delicious fruit which grows well in Auckland but which is somewhat neglected is the persimmon. It is a low-growing tree, which requires good soil and a sunny, well drained position. Both fruit and foliage turn a beautiful tint in the autumn, and for this purpose alone the tree is worthy of a place in the shrubbery. The fruit should be taken indoors when ripe to escape damage from birds and should be allowed to become dead ripe—almost rotten —before being eaten.