GARDENER'S CALENDAR. AUGUST.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 538, 10 August 1866, Page 2

GARDENER'S CALENDAR. AUGUST.

This month may be termed the commencement of spring, and aU the changeable characteristics of an English February ; prepare ground for future culture by digging and manuring whenever the weather permits. Asparagus beds to be looked to and cltansed, fresh beds made if required. Beans plant : cabbage and cauliflower sow, and plant out autumn sown celery ; sow for early planting, leaving the general crop for September ; cucumbers plant out, thrust a stick into the hot bed to ascertain the heat, and if too powerful remove some of the soU around the plant but not disturb the plant, and weU saturate the bed with water to prevent burning, sow more seeds for succession ; dwarf kidney beans sow ; cress sow also rape, or mustard for salads ; carrots sow, the early Horn is the best for first crops ; garlic, eschalots plant, if not already done ; lettuce sow and"plant out from last sowing; look after the slugs as they now begin to be busy in their destructive habits ; majoram and basil sow ; sow full crops of peas, distance between rows must be * regulated by the sort. Best dwarfs are the Emperor, early Queen of dwarfs, Lord Eaglan intermediate Fanbeards, early superior Woodfords green marrow and Blue Prussian ; Sangster's No. 1, or Daniel O'Borke grows taU, but are ready nearly a fortnight sooner than other peas. Onions, sow for early puUings, also plant out the Autumn sown, the underground onion if not already done may be stiU planted ; rhubarb sow and plant from last year's sowing, they like a rich deep soU, radishes sow of each kind ; parsnip sow for general crop, they like a rich, deep and rather strong soU ; parsely sow, the curled is the best for garnishing, but the common best for seasoning, potatoes plant in light dry borders for early use ; spinach, tlie round, and the New Zealand sow. PKtriT. Graft aU those that show early budding as early as possible, reserving those last that are late in breaking. AU pruning should now be completed tha t can be done, choosing the early sorts of t-°*s, first cutting out all old. and useless wood, .ng a supply of last summer shoots. All trees recently planted, see that they are not too much shaken with the wind, stake them, and mulch them woidd be of service; suckers of all kinds should be removed forthwith, and planted for stocks for future grafting or budding. Strawberry beds look over and clean, and if not already done, fork in some weU rotted manure. Raspberries not yet done should be staked and tied, the soU turned with the fork, and weU decomposed dung forked in. Gooseberries and currant trees finish pruning. Planting out aU kind of fruit trees should finish this month, where practicable. j Filbert trees, remove aU suckers, fork in some rich manure around them, shorten last year's ! wood, but not the spurs. Root pruning, if not done, should be finished without delay. ILOWEBS. Hardy £*' .1 1'.oic Y*Y ,* auuac-ls sow ; auriculas sow, and top dress 'Yose in pots : azaleas and rhododendron 1- y, roly^nihos, cockscombs, sow in a slight h .--i b --*.'" ; boX edgings finish planting ; carnation, pati^-ov, pink byere, remove if not already done i.-v,i_i i Y-. p.ireat stock ; calceolarias pot from \t. Y'.ro .,-:.■! oatlY^s, dahlias, look to and plant ; herb;vc-..-o::s pY/nt;-. o.' fill \inds may now be divided aw.i Y.i..'-_d ; rauunculus plant, the soU rather si i-r.ous and rich ; roses prune, reserving a few for a latter blooming ; verbena cutting put in, tl.e cutting may be very small and divided iv the centre of the joint. Flowers in bloom, violets, jonquil, narcissis, snowdrop, daffodU, and the pvimvlais. Dig and prepare aU vacant ground for the September croppina, beth for kitchsu^nd flower garden, and be not sparing of the manure heap, when it can be obtained. Throw nothing away, aU weeds, cuttings of trees, bones, or anything that wiU char, coUeet them and they form an excellent manure for your crops.