THE GARDEN IN JANUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 155, 29 December 1938, Page 15

THE GARDEN IN JANUARY

By the time the New Year arrives we are entitled to expect some summer weather; up to the present the weather has been very unseasonable but the abnormal amount of rain has thoroughly wetted the subsoil and this will be of benefit to summer crops later. During the month much may be done in the way of preparation for autumn and winter crops of vegetables. Plantings should include, all the cabbage family as well as leeks, celery, and lettuces.. All growing crops should be kept on the move by frequent hoeing, watering when necessary and, in some cases, by applications of liquid manure As the plots are vacated by spent crops they should be dug. over and either manured or limed ,in preparation for replanting. Outdoor tomatoes usually start to ripen up this month. The plants should be kept healthy by spraying with Bordeaux Mixture to which may be added arsenate of lead to keep off grubs which would otherwise spoil the fruit. Remove all lateral or side growths as they appear to prevent the foliage from getting too dense. As soon as the first blooms appear on pumpkins and marrows pinch out the tips of the main growths to encourage branching. Most of the fruit is borne on side growths. .■ ■ Keep beans picked regularly; if "allowed to ripen seeds the plants cease to bear. ' In the flower garden many of the annuals are -over and should be removed, their places being filled with other seasonable plants after the soil has been dug and enriched. . Zinnias, asters, salvias, portulaca, and other late flowering annuals are suitable for filling the vacant spaces. _ , Spent blooms should be removed from the plants and ir a mulch can be supplied it will help the plants and save much labour' in water-

mS' Dahlias and chrysanthemums require a lot of attention in- the matter of supporting, feeding, and watering and thinning of buds or growths. The hoe should be used whenever the weather is dry, as this not only keeps weeds down while quite small but conserves moisture by keeping the surface soil open. Be sure that all tall-growing subjects are properly supported. Rambler roses should be cut back as soon as flowering is over to encourage strong growths from the base.