GARDENER'S CALENDAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 335, 25 September 1868, Page 2

GARDENER'S CALENDAR.

OCTOBER

Kitchen gardes.—For the last, sixteen years, with the exception of 1861, Otago has been 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 by landing them wo 1 up, almost covering the young 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 wi 1 be sown quite time enough towards the end of the month. Seeds of any other vegetable may be sown if not already done, as also any planting that remains to be finished. Sow Celery on a rich, moist spot, and protect from heavy rains until it is well up. ... Sow Melons and Cncurubero on hot beds;

Vegetable Marrow, Pumpkins, Bquaahes, Tomatoes, Capsicums, 4c, to bring them forward forbeingplanted out. Keep the Dutch hoe incessantly ■at work during bright sunshine, to keep down weeds. Stir 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 scrub stuck in the ground, placed against 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 ma-.ire between the rows, to keep them moist •daringdry weather;.the juices of the manure washed down by.every shower will prove beneficial. Trained Peach 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; ancl avoid- cropping too near fruit trees, which require 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 if a lew 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 will requii-e 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 we!l-prepared mould in readiness for the purpose. Plant Carnations, Pinks, Pancies, and other flowering plants. Verbenas, Scarlet Geraniums, Fuchsias, ancl Dahlias: plant out towards tho end of the mouth.