Work in the Garden.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 3, 6 May 1927, Page 6

Work in the Garden.

By "OLD TIMER"

KITCHEN GARDEN

It is now advisable to plan for next season's crops. So that, as the ground is cleared it may be properly treated for the futuro crop. Most crops require manure, and some a great deal more than others. Trenching is generally advantageous for stiff soils, and, where possible, the surface should be exposed for a month or two before cropping. The pi'esent weather is ideal for growth, and where not already dene, seed can still be sown of cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, carrots, onions, and turnips. Plant out cabbage and lettuce plants. Clean up and dig or trench all vacant plots. Keep the hoe going amongst crops to encourage growth and destroy weeds. FLOWER GARDEN The present time is most favourable for remodelling old, or making new flower beds and borders, old stools of all perennial plants may now be divided and broken up, the outside portions are most suitable for replanting and will get well established for early flowering. Plant out wallflowers and hardy annuals. Finish planting out narcissi, tulips, hyacinths and all spring flowering bulbs. Further delay is detrimental to the bulbs and their flowers. THE CARNATION A FAVOURITE FLOWER Anyone intending to cultivate these plants should obtain them now in the form of newly layered plants. Generally speaking, carnations prefer a rather heavy loam, dug well to the depth of 18 inches, diging in soot and lime in equal proportions. This acts as an insecticide for any worms. Carnations prefer a sunny position and well drained soil. If the ground is very heavy, some sand, road grit or old mortar will improve it. Bone dust and wood ashes as a top dressing is very beneficial. Dust the young plants with lime every week or two in wet weather. This will keep rust and stem disease in check. ROSES AND FRUIT TREES Preparing the Ground for Planting "Well must the ground be diged and better dressed New soil to make, and meliorate the rest."—Virgil. Trenching. This is one of the. most important preliminary operations within the whole range of horticultural practice. If the maxim "dig deep to find the gold" be true, how much gold may be found by trenching for it? Mistakes have been made about trenching to such an extent as almost to upset its true theory, and to arrest its practice. The simple turning of the ground upside down may be good or bad, according to the circumstances. It must be a very wretched surface soil that would not prove something better than that found two feet lower down. The theory of trenching, then, is deepening of the soil, and cultivating the sub-soil, but not to bring it to the surface. The best way to practice trenching is as a mixing and deepening, rather than an inversive process. Remembering deep cultivation is the secret of success.