WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 24334, 24 October 1942, Page 3

WORK IN THE GARDEN

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENT. “ Como Street.”—lt is a common experience to get malformed stems of polyanthus and auriculas which generally carry an extraordinary number of flowers. This malformation occurs quite frequently in the lily, family. , , FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES. All gardeners should be busy from now on in sowing and planting in both sections of their gardens —(lowers and vegetables. It is important, where sowings are required in the flower garden, that they should ho carried out without delay. First of all, the sites should bo prepared to receive the seed. This should be done with a certain amount of care, and the soil should be worked so as to become fine and free from all clumps of clay, etc. After this work has been done, it is advisable to give the soil a good dressing of fine sand, or, better still, oyster grit (oceanic lime)., Little drills then should be made, into which the seed should be sown., All fine seeds, such as Iceland poppies, etc., should be covered lightly, but the seeds of asters, marigold, etc., require more soil to cover them thoroughly. Do not use the spade to pat in the surface after sowing. Allow it to remain as it is after covering in the seed. The rush of the spring blooms will soon be over, and no time should be lost in planting out from the nursery bed or boxes into their flowering quarters all plants that, are large enough to transplant. Before the plants are lifted for this work, do not forget that the spring bulbs, etc., have taken out a great deal of the necessaryfood which will be required for the summer flowering plants which it is intended to plant. If one has some good, thoroughly decayed, vogetable matter or other garden or even house icfuse, this should.be incorporated with the soil before planting out the young seedlings After the planting has taken place a thoroughly good watering should be given. Never water lightly. Always give good waterings, then leave the plants for two or three weeks before watering again; that is, of course, if we do not get sufficient rain in the meantime. Light waterings are very ; little use, as the water evaporates quickly and never reaches the subsoil. After watering, if is essential to hoe thoroughly, as this will stop what is known as capillary attraction and evaporation., It his been proved that a good hoeing is far better than many small waterings. For sowing in the open, the following flower seeds can' now be used:—Linum, linaria, Virginian stock, alyssum (SnowCarpet), poppy (all varieties), pansies and violas, marigolds, calendulas, mignonette, nasturtiums (Gleams and all other varieties), scabious, larkspur, mimulus, carnations, chrysanthemums, (annual and perennials). THE PERENNIAL BORDER. After hoeing the surface between the clumps, a dressing of well-decomposed manure or garden refuse should be given at this stage. This will not only preserve the moisture, but will feed the roots when these plants, which are all gross feeders, require it. ’ It is wise to stake all the tall-growing varieties at once, or else there is a danger of the strong growths becoming unsightly, as often the wind prevents the growths from growing straight when they’ are not fastened to a stake. Lawn mowings make an excellent mulch for the summer months, and the slugs do not enjoy travelling over them. THE ROSE GARDEN. Look over the roses, and where there is too much growth, this can be'removed at this stage very easily. Where pruning was carried out early, watch be keptto see the qjlrly growth is not affected with aphis. If so, spray- at once with nicktina. This is the best spray for aphis. If this pest is allowed to spread all the roses will be quickly ruined. A sowing of Virginian stock broadcast over the surface between roses in beds and borders will in a few weeks give a glorious display, and this will be the means of keeping weeds dow-n as well. Assist the roses when the buds commence to form by- applying liquid manure at least once a week. . . THE FRUIT GARDEN. ; Run-through - ,ypur. fruit trees ;and reniove any wood which is forming, and is not , re-, quired. In the" case eof peaches and nectarines on walls ' and trellises, all wood--buds showing on the front and back of the leaders should be removed at once. Leave only wood which is forming left and right of the tree. All else should bo removed. In the case of gooseberries, a great many of the wood bujjs can be taken out at this stage. Leave none that will have a tendency later on to make the surrounding wood. . ' Where aphis has made an .appearance spray with nicklirta as' soon as possible. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Where carrots have failed through sowing too early and the hard climatic conditions, sowings can be made right up to, the end of November. It will be wise to dust the drills with Pinepesto powder, which is a certain cure for wireworms. The same advice applies to all tubers, such as potatoes, etc. I understand that this insecticide is still obtainable from some seedsmen. Those who intend planting tomatoes from now on outside should certainly dress their soil with this powder to prevent rust. This should be done before planting. . The end of this month is the best time to plant tomatoes for outside cultivation. —F.S.P.