Garden Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 29, 21 October 1893, Page 7

Garden Notes

(By Murihiku.)

OCTOBER. Vegetable Garden. —As early as possible, during the month, clear up arrears of work left over from last month ; main sowing of almost every kind of vegetable seeds should be put in this month, and also small lots of savoys, curled kale, Bxuxssels sprouts, brocoli, etc., for use during winter months. To secure a constant supply of radish, lettuce, and other salads, small sowings slxould be made at intervals of two or three weeks. It will also be advisable to pick off the more advanced celery plants into shallow boxes, or cold frames so as to get them into a fit size to transplant into trenches by the end of next month as a first crop. Sow cucumbers, vegetable marrows, pumpkins, and celery on heat bed, and prepare hot beds for cucumbex's and melons. To protect potatoes from frests (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 Freneb 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 frern stx-awherries, and apply a mulching of stable manure between the rows to keep the plants moist during dry weather. Avoid cropping too near 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 lax’ger 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 bods 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 vexbenas, fuschias, geraniums and dahlias.