IN THE GARDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 26 July 1929, Page 8

IN THE GARDEN

UNPROPITIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS * THE KITCHEN CROPS "This time last year 1 hud a fine first, crop of potatoes in and everything in readiness for the usual early sowings. Now I have no potatous and nothing ready at all.” This remark, made a few days ago by a very successful amateur gardener, could have been made by most, amateurs in this district. There will have to he a great improvement in the weather if the ground will lie in lit condition to lie prepared for its customary attention on “Spud Monday.” which is drawing near. It is useless to expect satisfactory results from very early planting of potatoes in localities subject to late frosts. In the selection of sets, medium sized evenly formed toilers that require no cutting are the best for early planting, as there, is lass risk of rotting during wet weather. The successful raising of early sown crops is attended with considerable risk, especially if the soil is of a heavy retentive nature. Every advantage should be taken of line front her to weed anil lightly dig between growing crops.. This is more necessary after -recent exceptionally heavy rains, as a hard surface lias naturally been formed, so that air aval warmth cannot penetrate until tin* soil is again broken up. Turn green crops in where the soil is workable. There is still time, to trench piuees of land that are to grow,exacting crops such as cauliflower, celery, tomatoes, or very early potatoes. It is a gopd plan to trench a different part of the kitchen garden, each year. It is surprising what a difference it makes to the. growth of the plants, especially very early or very late crops. It may he slow work and to some extent costly, but if will repay handsomely, especially where space is limited. Oil saml.v soil it is possible lo push things ahead more. , In exceptionally favoured situations onions and carrots may be sown but under the conditions that have prevailed lately if is not yet lime to sow the main crops of, these useful vegetables. Autumn sown onions may be .trails-, planted where the soil i,s suitable. A dressing of soot will prove of great value. If plants are available the giant roeea and Ailsa Craig may be planted. Prepare beds well for. seed as well as for planting. Onions like well pulverised soil, Fresh stable or other animal manure should not be given lo them as it affects'their keeping quulL ties. Another, sowing of- broad beans should be made, also peas it the ground is ready. In raising lettuce at this season the safest plan is to sow in boxes in good rich soil, and place iii a Iraiiie or in a warm sheltered position protected from slugs. To have cabbage and cauliflower ready for spring planting, the safest method is to sow in boxes in good soil, and place in some warm, sheltered position. .Soil well dug and manured should he selected for eseliqllots. lMaut the bulbs eight inches apart in the row, with the row’s about lo inches apart. Avoid the mistake of planting deeply; bury the bulbs to about an inch deep. Make them firm, and keep the ground clear of weeds. All herbs such as thyme and sage ma v he planted. Asparagus will not tolerate weeds at any time of the year. The use of agricultural salt improves the beds, nnd at the same time keeps weeds hi check. "" ’ ’MIDST THE FLOWERS Now that the spring flowering bulbs are showing above the -ground the shrubbery borders in which they are growing can be cleaned and forked over mid a* dressing of wood ashes, basic phosphate or basic slag will help the flowers and also the foliage later on. It is jfist as necessary to have/ strong, healthy foliage as flowers if our bulbs are to continue flowering from year to year. When weather conditions art* favourable the herbaceous borders can lie manured and dug over, taking care to lift and divide all Hie kinds which become overcrowded. Watch the rock garden for slugs, remove any leaves and rubbish which may have -accumulated in the pockets during the winter, and sow seeds of annuals in any empty pockets to provide a display duiing the summer. Do not walk or tread‘about the flower beds and borders while the soil is heavy and wet. Plants that are being grown for keeping up a winter and spring display of flowers, such as primulas, cinerarias, cyclamens, herbaceous calceolarias and others, should have special attention. Calceolarias when well grown,' are without doubt one of the most attractive of spring flowering plants, and allhough they require more careful culture Gian tin: others named they amply repay when in flower for the extra care bestowed. When growing their greatest enemy is the green aphis, and imhss this'is kept under by frequent fumigation the plants soon sicken and die. Suotv mould, or smut, that disfiguring black deposit which is so often seen on evergreen trees and shrubs, can be cleaned off by using an oil spray. Red oil, one part to twenty-live parts water will clean it off. Grass clippings may be utilised for mulching trees and shrubs on the lawn nr removed with fallen leaves and other suitable debris to the rubbish heap to rot and produce leaf mould. Clippings from roses, shrubs, cliiubora and trees should lie burnt to deist rov any scale or insects that may be upon iliumMM*ds ot stocks, verbenas, larkspur, antirrhinums, coreopsis, pentsteluons. lobelias, dianthiis. phlox, delphinium. poppies, sweet peas, cornflower and other annuals, in seed trays under glass. Meantime give full attention to indoor requirements. At this time there j p opncrallv plenty lo do in raising and pricking out ol annuals. Striking out cuttings and attending 11, oilier greenhouse requirements -houhl also lie done. The balance of tin* planting season

should lie mailo the most, of. No time slioulcl In; lost by 111 oho who desire good displuvs of roses, shrubs, _ climbers, lifil"f' plants. liliums, gladioli,. lau niitions, Japanese iris, lily of the valley, delphiniums, etc. In pruning rose plants the. object should be to concont.rule the sap into fewer elm muds and so enhance the size and ijim lily of the blooms. All old wood or branches that are past their-prime can lie cut out, allowing the younger and more vigorous shoots to take their place. Always prune to a good eye, pointing outward, and weaker plants will require harder cutting back than stronger growing ones. Shrubs that produce their (lowers on new wood, ..such as hydrangeas, lasiandras, lantanas, tecoma, etc., can lie cut hack and surplus branches removed, thus promoting new .growth in earlv spring. Lawns that are a bit backward in growth may he top-dressed with superphosphate and basic slag. The super will take action immediately and the slag will stimulate the growth for earlv spring. So much rain often makes the young seedlings throw up prematuic spikes. This especially happens with stocks, antirrhinum and Iceland poppies. Nip oil' the flower stalk to allow the plant to continue making growth and they will thou flower abundantly during the spring.