Garden Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 41, 6 January 1894, Page 5

Garden Notes

JANUARY.

(By Mcbihiku)

The px-iucipal requirements of the vegetable garden this month will be to see that it is well stocked with the varieties of cabbage suitable forautumn and winter use. The ground formerly occupied by early potatoes should be filled up with these its it becomes vacant; for savoys, kale, and early cabbage, about 21 inches apart will be enough, while cauliflower and broccoli will require 2 feet. The main crop of celery should also be put out this month. The trench forthese should he dug about 18 inches deep and filled in with f> inches olt well rotted manure covered with othersix inches of good soil, and the plants planted on this and earthed up as growth proceeds. This latter operation should always be done where, the ground is in a dry state, and the heart of the plant left well open, so as to prevent it rotting. Turnips and prickly spinach for winter use may be sown now, also successional sowings of radish, lettuce, and cress. Late sown onions and other root; crops, not thinned last month should, be attended to immediately. Duringdry weather, the hoe should be kepfe constantly going to loosen the soil, and to destroy weeds, and, as the latter are almost seeding, extra attention should be given them. In the flower garden little requires to be done beyond keeping the borders in a general state of tidiness, and as frequent spells of dry weather maybe expected during the next month or two,, a considerable amount of watering will require to be done feu promote growth. Dahlias, hollyhocks, verbenas and other plants required for show purposes will be greatly benefited by frequent mulching with liquid manure ; attention: should also be given to see that they are secured from injury by winch. Mignonette, godetia, and other an—armL should be thinned at once, and any blanks in the borders filled up with surplus plants.