THE GARDEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 19

THE GARDEN

NOTES BY “RATA” IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Spray the iiotatoes. Make a sowing of red and silver beet. Prepare a bed for Brussels sprouts seed. Finch out; the tops of broad beans. Water the asparagus bed with liquid manure POTATOES. i Potatoes should be kept evenly j moist and well hoed up. It is unnecessary and. indeed inadvisable to leave the digging of the crops until the tops or huulin has entirely died down. Digging should be started when the tops begin to go yellow, and show signs of dying off. If the digging is left until the plants have entirely died down, then r.lie whole crop should be dug at one time and the potatoes stored away in a cool, dry place, and in such a manner that no light can reach them. If stored in a heap (which is a good plan), for it allows air to reach them; the heap should be well covered with several thicknesses of bagging, or a good coating of straw or other litter. In elevated situations, potatoes may still be planted, but whatever the position, the two factors for successful culture, a rich soil and an even moisture, are the main requirements. The growing crops of potatoes must be regularly sprayed now. as the warm weather is a very favourable condition for the spread of blight. USE THE HOE DAILY. The far-reaching beneficial effect of the daily use of the hoe cannot he realised by many amateur gardeners. Ten minutes’ use per day will worl: wonders in the garden. A little aid often goes a long way on the road to the successful growing of vegetables. By tho use of the hoe. weeds are eradicated, the ground is loosened, watering is lessened, ns the plants will respond to aeration of the soil, and light rainfall will have a more beneficial effect, the rent action of the plants will be immensely stimulated. and the vigour of the plants much increased. IN THE FLOWER GARDEN Plant out dahlias. Cut back lantanas. mbiscus, and acacias, which have finished flowering. Plant annual creepers such as mina lobata, thunbergia, and ipoinoea cardinalis. Transplant violets. Prune back flowering peaches and plums as soon ns they have finished blooming. , , , . , Give sweetpeas, Iceland poppies and pansies weak liquid manure. GARDEN PATHS * HINTS ON LAYING OUT. It is not a simple job to lay out paths, beds or lawns in graceful curves unless one knows the best way to go about it. In order to do this work successfully a long length of garden hose will be foupd of more assistance than could be imagined. If a curved .border is desired the hose can be laid along the path and curved in and out just where the line

is required, and it can be seen»at a glance whether the position is correct. When quite .satisfied on that point a line can be drawn alongside the hose, and so mark the position. The hose can then be moved further on, and the process repeated. Ovals can be designed in the same manner, but where a circle is desired a stout peg must be driven in, and the garden line, the length of the radius desired, attached to it loosely. A circle can then be drawn. SEASONABLE HINTS. . The wet weather recently experienced is responsible for the appearance of many garden pests. With the advent of warmer weather improved conditions may be expected, and the hoe should be in constant use, and the soil should not be allowed to cake. i ROSES. I In removing faded blooms from roses it is advisable to cut off the shoot right back to. the first strong bud when they will again shoot up and produce «a late crop of flowers. PLANTING OUT. The. time for planting out many varieties of summer seedlings is now at its zenith, and all kinds, such as phlox, asters, petunias, cosmos, and zinnias, can be planted out daily. The beds should, of course, be properly prepared first, and unless the soil is in the right condition probably the araioritv of the plants will he lost, and those that do manage to survive will never be worth much. Tlie beds should ho well dug. and a good dressing of lime applied. Then add a little well rotted manure or bonedust. and fork it with the soil about six inches deep, level the bed well; and rake fine. WALLFLOWERS. Ibis favourite old flower lias again become very popular, and a few seeds sown now will come into bloom during next winter and/spring. Amongst the single varieties the following are the best:—“Cloth of Gold,” “Eastern Queen,” “Harbinger” and “Sea 'Foam.” Tn the double varieties Golden Yellow, Dark Brown, and a pretty tone of Yioloty Blue are the most desirable.