Garden Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 28, 7 October 1893, Page 5

Garden Notes

(By Murihiku.) OCTOBER. Vegetable Garden. —As early as possible, during the month, clear up arrears of work left over from lastmonth ;*i?Tain sowing of almost every kind of vegetable seed® should be put in this month, and also small lots of savoys, curled kale, Brussels sprouts, brocoli, etc., for use during winter months. To secure a constant supply of radish, lettuce, and other salads, small sowings should be made at intervals of two or three ft weeks. It will also be advisable to off the more advanced celery plants into shallow boxes, or cold frames so as to get them into a fit size to transplant int o trenches by the end of next month as a first crop. Sow cucumbers, vegetable marrows, pumpkins, and celery on ba|.t bed, and prepare Hot beds for cucumbers and melons. To protect potatoes from frosts (which may be expected at any time) those through the ground will require to be well earthed up. For the same reason the sowing of Freneh beans and scarlet runners should be deferred until late in the month. Fruit Garden. —As this is the month that destructive white frosts do most harm to fruit trees just setting their buds, as much protection as possible should be given them. Remove weeds and dead leaves from strawberries, and apply a mulching of stable manure between the rows to keep the plants moist during dry weather. Avoid cropping too hear fruit trees as they require all the nourishment they can get.^

Flower Garden.— Geraniums and other indoor pot plants require strict attention as to watering, and about once a week a good watering of clear liquid manure will greatly benefit them. Forward plants require shifting into larger pots, having some well prepared mould in readiness for the purpose. Sow seeds of all hardy annuals and perennials out of door, and on hot beds half hardy varieties such as asters, stocks, marigolds, verbenas, lobelia, &c. Plant carnations, pansies, phloxes, etc., for border decoration, and at the end of the month verbenas, fuschias, geraniums and ■dahlias.