THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Heeds to Sow. —Beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cucumber, herbs, kale, leeks, lettuce, melons, onions, parsnips, parsley, peas, salsify, spinach and turnips. What to Plant-.—Cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and potatoes. With the advent of October work in the kitchen garden becomes more pressing and interesting, and the many seedlings pushing up through tho surface soil will be watched with close attention. Weeds must be kept down by frequent hoeing to prevent the .seedling vegetable plants becoming choked by their stronger growth. We must bear in mind that both light and air are essential from first to last to secure a healthy growth. Examino early sown crops, and make good any failures. Beet may be sown at any time now. Put this crop on soil that has not been manured of late. Rich ground will grow big, coarse roots that arc not useful or’desirable for tho kitchen —small, deep coloured and well shaped roots are tho best. Broccoli should be sown according to requirements. It is yeti too early to put in the late varieties, which should be sown later. Cabbage for autumn use may now be sown, but not in small gardens where other more useful crops should have preference. Select one or two of the large varieties, such as Enfield Market. Carrots for the main crop should be put in as soon as possible so that tnc roots may get well down into the soil before tho hot weather sets in. Tho horn type is much the best for tho garden.' A good strain of Early Nantes is ono of the best-. For celery select a position near to the water tap, and sow this seed in tho open. Make the soil fine, scatter tho seeds thinly on the surface, and mix it with the soil by raking. A much sturdier batch of plants will result from sowing the seeds in the open than by raising them in a seed box inside. . , , Beans of any variety may now be sown in sheltered positions, but in open districts that are subject to late frosts it is advisable to wait till the end of the month. . Sow leeks according to demand. Thcs° seeds are generally good and should be sown sparingly. , Lettuce should he sown for succession. Sow a little at a time, and often to maintain a constant supply. _ cabbage varieties are the best for tiresent sowing; Scarborough and Mebb s Prize, are two of the best-. . r , +l Melon seed must be raised in a little heat. A small hot-bed is about- the best place for raising melons. Give them much the same treatment- ns cucumbers until they open their bWms Onions for pickling need different, treatment from that'given to the mam cop. This seed should be sown on comparatively poor ground. Make it firm bv rolling, sow the seed thick, and do not thin the plants. If they aro crowded and grown, in poor soil therjo will bo a crop of small, sound bulbs, just the size for pickling. The variety called Silverskin is one of the best. To keep up a constant supply fresh parsley leaves, a pinch of seed should bo sown twice a year—-ui Maich and October. . . Peas should bo sown according *o the room available, and the demand from now on. It is advisable to prepare shallow trenches, much the same as for celery, and put plenty of tat. manure at the bottom, mixing it with the bottom spit. Tread the soil family before sowing the seeds, because peas will not do well in loose soil. It is a good plan to make two drills along tho trench quite near the sides, and put the peas in two lines, _ and thm the plants out, giving ten inches between them. Grown ip this way they do better, the tendrils on one line take hold of the other and keep tho plants upright-, thus requiring fewer sticks to support them. • Spinach should be sown m plenty. This often serves as a- change vegetable when there is a big demand. Select tho prickly-seeded variety/ for present sowing, because this does not run to seed nearly as soon aa the round-seeded sorts. Turnip in small quantities may be sown, but. do not grow more than is likely to be required. • Sow vegetable marrow on a gentle hot bed for a few early plants. FLOWER GARDEN. Examine the seeds that were sown last month, and any that are largo enough should be thinned as soon, as possible. Keep the surface soil stirred around them, and any weeds that can be seen growing between the seedlings should be promptly pulled up. ■ Any varieties that were overlooked last should be got in as soon as possible. The aster gives much the best results when sown where tho plants are to ,flower. in gardens where there is a big demand for cut flowers three sowings should bo made—one in September, another in October and a third in October. If there is room in the kitchen garden that is an excellent place for ono or two of these sowings. Tho single varieties are the most popular for house decoration. There are several lovely self-colours in pink, red, mauve and purple, and these should have ample reom, because they grow eighteen inches to two feet high, and if they are crowded the flower stems will be on the short side. The rows should be two feet apart, and the plants thinned to twelve.inches in the row. The double varieties can do with a little less space. If not already sown, put in a few patches of mignonette for the sake of its fragrance. All varieties of stocks can be sown in the open during October. Make the ground fairly rich, and work some well decayed manure into the soil to hold water- and afford the roots a constant supply of food. Once these plants want for water or food, in tho hot weather, " fly,” one of the many garden pests, will soon attack and spoil them. Slugs and other ground vermin are very fond of young tender stocks, and a few insects will soon eat the lot unless some means of protection aro taken. A handful of soot, .fresh lime, or a dusting with “ aper-. ite” will protect tho plants until they arc too big and tough for these ground vermin. Carnation.seed can bo sown, in the open any timo this month. Provide a good seed bed and keep a sharp look-out for insect pests. The Marguerite section gives tho host results if sown in the autumn; tho plants begin to flower in November, and give a continuous supply of blossoms until the winter arrives. Stocks, phlox, gaillardia, and- other annuals that have been raised in glasshouses and frames may be set out into their final quarters. It is a great mistake to wait until tho plants ave overbig before they aro put out, and plant*.

that are set out when small give much better results than if left until they aro large. Dahlia roots that have been left in the ground all the winter should be taken uj>, the ground heavily manured and trenched, and tho tubers replanted If not taken up tho plants cannot give good results tho second and third seasons because tho roots will have used up all the plant food within their reach, and the dahlia is one of the biggest feeders among herbaceous plants. Gladiolus conns should he planted soon. Although there is no hurry, tho roots are better in the ground early in tho month unless there is an object for keeping some of them back for late flowering. Although the roots aro small compared with the dahlia, lacy respond to deep and thorough cultivation: Tho large spikes of flower scan at exhibitions are not produced by haphazard method, but by deep and liberal cultivation with consistent- aim constant, attention. Rut tho conns about six inches deep, and allow twelve, inches between the plants in the rows or clumps. Tim perennial varieties of sunflowers should have similar treatment to that suggested for dahlias. Lift the plants, ilig and manure the ground, and divide ancl replant as soon as possible, hie variety "Maximus” is the exception as regards manure; tins one will thrive and give good results when grown on comparatively ■ poor soil and in <i situation.