GARDENERS' CALENDAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 235, 26 October 1866, Page 3

GARDENERS' CALENDAR.

Kitchen Garden, —For the last sixteen years, with the exception of 1864, Otago has been i visited by a storm in October, which is generally accompanied with sharp frosts and heavy falls of snow. Those who have Potatoes well advanced had better prepare for the worst bj landing the m well up, almost covering the younf shoots, and have some boughs, fern, or straw in readiness to put over them on the first appearance of a frosty night. French Beans and Runners will be sown quite time enough towards the end of the month. Seeds of .any other vegetable may now be sown if not already done, a 1 also any planting that now remains Jto be finished. Sow Celery on a rich, moist spot, and protect from heavy rains until it is well up. Sow Melons and Cucumbers on hot-beds ; also, Vegetable Marrow, Pumpkins, Squashes, Tomatoes, Capsicums, &c, to bring them forward for being planted out. Keep the Dutch hoe incessant!} at work .during bright sunshine to keep down weeds. Sfir up the surface of the ground, as recommended in the operations for last month. Fruit Garden.—ln exposed places precautions should be taken without delay to shelter fruit trees in blossom. Some tall shrub stuck Into the ground, placed against a temporary rail, and secured with flax, will answer the purpose until more permanent shelter be provided,—a matter which should never be lost sight of by those who wish to have productive gardens and comfortable dwellings. Remove dead leaves and weeds from Strawberries, and apply a mulching of Stable manure between the rows, to keep them moist during dry weather; the juices of the manure washed down by every shower will prove beneficial. Trained Peacli and Apricot trees may be disbudded, removing only a few at a time, to prevent a sudden check on the growth of the trees. On dry borders, mulch the roots of trained trees early ; and avoid cropping too near fruit trees, which recjuire all the nourishment they can get without being crowded to their very stems, as is too frequently done even by those who ought to know better; —as if a few Potatoes or a few heads of Cabbage could not be sacrificed for the sake of fruit-bearing trees. Flower Garden.—Geraniums and other pot plants require strict attention as to watering, and about once a-week a good watering with clear liquid manure will benefit them. Forward plants will require shifting into larger pots, taking care always to have some well-pre-pared mould in readiness for the purpose. Sow seeds of both tender and Lardy annuals and perennials. Plant Carnations, Pinks, Pansies, and other flowering plants. Verbenas, Scarlet Geraniums, Fuchsias, and Dahlias : plant out towards the end of the ihoutii.