IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 7

IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK UFKCIAt.LT WRITT4M FOB TB« PB«SS.> [By W. J. HUMM] ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT Waiau.—Your best plan Avould be to spray the spindle tree next autumn, after • the leaves have fallen, with caustic soda wash. Use lib to 10 gallons of soaov water. Abelia will grow from cuttings readily. Strike these during the autumn and winter. To keep Mount Cook lilies fresh, burn the ends of the flower stems and change the water each day. - If possible use rain •water. I ' ~ ~ VEGETABLES The weather continues to be most favourable for work in the vegetable garden. The very, severe frosts experienced lately have retarded growth somewhat. In many gardens where the soil is heavy many of the crops are not getting away as well as they should. Frost always lowers the soil temperature. To, counteract this stir the surface .oil frequently. ; This nbt only destroys weeds, but by the action of aeration the soil's temperature is raised and is more congenial for plant growth. Soil warmth is one of the main factors in the production of early vegetables. ' '■'"•* V , Both parsnips and onions are slowmaturing crops, and should be got in

as soon as possible. Where the soil is of a warm nature, plant second earlypotatoes. Mould up the early ones as soon as they come through the soil. This protects the young'growths from frost. Procure sets of the main crop of potatoes now. If deferred until required . the varieties it is desired to plant may be sold out. Plant cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuce, and artichokes. Sow celery and leek seed. Do not make the mistake of sowing the seeds too thickly. Often the young plants get crippled in the seed-beds. Continue to sow second early peas. As soon as the plants are about three inches hign they should be moulded-up and staked, but before doing so dust a little superphosphate along the rows. In many gardens peas are often left unstaked. This is not good gardening. To grow peas well they must have the maximum amount of sunlight and air on both sides of the plants. Sun and air encourage pod production. By staking peas as soon as they are large enough, the plants make better growth, are more productive, and the peas are a better flavour and easier to gather. To maintain a constant supply of fresh vegetables, make sowings of lettuce, radish, turnip, beet, and carrots. Sow these in quantities to suit th-3 requirements of the family. The carrot is a most wholesome and nutritious vegetable, and is particularly rich in vitamins. Carrots are easy to grow, and if used when half-grown they are very tender and much sweeter in flavour than if left until fully developed. In warm places tomatoes may be planted, but where the soil is of a cold nature and subject to late frosts, the end of October will be soon enough to plant. If not already done, prepare positions, for pumpkins, marrows, and cucumbers. Asparagus and rhubarb may still be planted. Sow asparagus, brussels sprouts, cabbages,

cauliflowers, celeriac, kohl-rabi, and savoys. FLOWERS There are a number of hardy annuals useful for cutting and garden decoration that may be sown -in the open borders where they are to remain and flower. The following are usually satisfactory:—Annual chrysanthemum, clarkias, cornflowers, godetias, larkspurs, lupins, mignonette, shirley poppies, asters, and phlox. These are best sown in groups. As soon as the seedlings are large enough thin them out so they will stand from si:: to nine inches apart. There is still time to plant ornamental shrubs; in fact, daphnes, boronias, magnolias, camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons plant out better now than they do during the winter. Plant violas, pansies, polyanthus, stocks, antirrhinums, Iceland poppies, and nemesia. Complete the planting of herbaceous perennials. Thin spindly growth out of delphinium and phlox. Do not let the wind damage the young growth of delphiniums before they are staked. Plant gladioli at intervals during the month. This will ensure a succession of blooms. It is quite a good time now to replant violets. Keep the hoe going in the rosebeds. Cultivation is the life of these plants. Yellow calceolarias are useful border plants. These should be planted early. They will do no good if planted when the weather is hot and the soil dry. Now is the time to plant agapanthus, kniphopias, and cannas. Fuchsias are most popular border plants. No other , shrubs are more liberal with their flowers. They will thrive in or out of tb« sun*

SHRUBS At present the flowering peach is very effective. The most popular kind is prunus persica splendens. This is without doubt the brightest of all spring flowering trees. Its large, double, cerise-coloured blooms are borne with great profusion. They are effective as a cut flower and last well. The double pink form, Clara Meyer, is also a worthy garden tree. It; too, flowers with the greatest of freedom. Flowering peaches do best when they are planted in an open position. A well-drained, warm soil suit's them best. Like the fruiting peach, they are fond of lime. Quite interesting effects may be produced by underplanting these trees with grape hyacinths, polyanthus, or daffodils.