THE GARDEN IN OCTOBER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 84, 6 October 1938, Page 27

THE GARDEN IN OCTOBER

At this season of the year the ground begins to warm up in earnest in the Wellington district and growth comes away strongly in consequence. Now that all chance of frosts is past, sowing and planting the half-hardy and even tender subjects may be' done, although the latter would be more reliable if planted in November. Seedling crops of various kinds which were sown last month should be coming up well now and to ensure the^ best results the seedlings should be thinned out and the rows or beds. be ( kept free from weeds; slugs, snails, and other insect pests become active at this period and it is important to afford them as little shelter as possible. Birds also prove troublesome in some localities with certain seedling crops, sparrows especially being very destructive, pulling up seedling turnips, radishes, etc., as soon as they appear through the ground, while blackbirds dig the young plants right out in their search for worms and grubs. s Where this trouble is experienced the rows must be protected either by covering with wire-netting frames or by stretching black cotton along them until the seedlings are strong enough to withstand the onslaught. Greenfly are apt to put in an appearance at this season and if left unchecked may do much damage to the plants attacked. At the first appearance spray with soapy water or a nicotine spray. Lawns require constant at-

tention at this season. Growth is very rapid and it may be necessary to run the machine over the lawn twice a week or even more frequently. It is a mistake to allow the grass to get too long before cutting as when the machine is put over it the grass has to be raked off and the lawn loses its good deep green. The edges of lawns must be attended to also.

. Gravel paths should be raked over at frequent intervals. If this is done while the weather is dry all seedling weeds .will be destroyed. Where weeds have got a strong hold in such paths the easiest and most economical method of dealing with them is the use of a weed-killer. Planting of all kinds, of summer and autumn flowering plants should be done, every vacant spot being filled with something to keep the garden bright aftef the spring crops are over.

Gladioli conns may be planted now and at intervals to extend the season of flowering. Nerines and other late summer-flowering bulbous plants may also be planted. This is a good time to plant evergreen shrubs, also those which are pot-grown. As the spring bulbs go'out of flower all the dead blooms should be cut right down but the foliage should on no account be removed until it had died down naturally. Where whole beds are planted with narcissi it is a good plan to sow some hardy annual broadcast so that the plants may grow up and hide the untidy foliage. Chrysanthemum planting may be done towards the end of the month, while dahlias may also be planted now.