Work in the Garden.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 4, 20 May 1927, Page 6

Work in the Garden.

By "OLD TIMER"

The month of May may be said to close the season for the kitchen and flower garden in New Zealand. There is little growth, and seeds sown now have little chance of success. But in this fertile valley weeds, like the poor, are always with us, and thrive all the year round. The chief work will be keeping the weeds in check among growing crops, by continuous hoeing or turning the weeds under lightly with the spade. Other work will be preparing ,the soil for future crops. The remarks made in the last issue, on the necessity for tidiness and the quick disposal of all decaying refuse and weeds, will apply as forcibly to the next month as to the last. Dig or trench all vacant plots, burying weeds, refuse and stable manure (as advised) always remembering that garden crops dislike rank manure, especially root crops, carrots, parsnips, beet, etc. Digging, trenching and manuring now saves much labour later on, and prepares the ground for early seed sowing. Cabbage and lettuce plants can still be planted but; a small sowing of early peas can now be made. Rhubarb roots can be dug up, divided and- replanted, working into the soil some well rotted manure. IN THE FLOWER GARDEN While the , fine weather. continues push on all alterations to flower beds and borders, dig and trench up new ground for future gardens. Plan and mark out suitable spots for roses, shrubs, etc. Prepare the ground for hedge planting; June and July is the recognised time for general planting. Anemones and ranunculus can still be planted. Finish planting up all other spring bulbs. Finally push forward all ground work; but do not wheel or tread upon ground during very wet weather; choose moderately dry weather for all such work. Soil once puddled into semi-mud is ruined or injured, for at least a whole season. FAVOURITE FLOWERS PANSIES AND VIOLAS The wonderful improvement made in violas and pansies in recent years, have raised them to the foremost rank among garden plants, and it is impossible to over-estimate the value of the violas and pansies for the flower garden. We are safe in asserting that no other genus of plants applied to bedding purposes will afford either the amount of colour, or field a display throughout the same length of time as these. Foul weather and fair make little difference to the coloured masses. Although easily raised and flowered within a few months from seed, pansies and violas are in the full meaning of the term perpetual flowers. For instance, viola golden perpetual flowers and grows when many hardy weeds lie prostrate and shrivelled. Pansies and violas thrive in a rich, moist, sandy soil, stagnant water at the roots is unfavourable as is a burning heat on a dry soil; a cool situation with partial shade in summer is the ideal spot for these favourites. Notwithstanding all this, pansies and violas will grow anywhere and anyhow. But if we require prize flowers reasonable care and attention should be given .to these favourites. First class culture is essential in growing any class of flower for exhibition purposes. The present time is very suitable for propagating from old plants; cuttings, and young growths with a little root may be taken off and inserted in a cool spot, and when rooted removed to their flowering quarters, preferable as an edging to beds or borders. An easier method may be adopted, i.e., breaking up the old plants and replanting.