THE GARDEN

Southland Times, Issue 24891, 3 November 1942, Page 6

THE GARDEN

WORK FOR NOVEMBER

By

RIWHI

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN The main tasks for the month are thinning and hoeing among growing crops. Both of these activities must be persisted with until crops have ample room for full development, and until that development has made impossible further use of the hoe. Early crops of potatoes should have a final moulding up and a light dressing of potato fertilizer. Main crops should receive a light moulding, plus intercultivation. Seeds of all kinds may still be sown and succession sowings of lettuce, radish, golden-ball turnip, beetroot, peas and beans should be made. Sowings of runner beans, marrows, pumpkins, butter beans, maize, swedes and New Zealand spinach can now be made.

Seedlings of all winter greens should be lined out in nursery rows if this has not been done already. Further sowings of sprouts, leeks, savoys, broccoli and kale may be made. These late sowings must be given the best possible conditions if they are to develop well. If celery trenches have not been prepared the work should be done as soon as possible. Plants should be out and growing in a month’s time. Asparagus beds should be allowed to grow as from the end of November. The exact time to cease cutting varies with the district and the season. Stakes may be inserted here and there over the bed to give some support. Tomatoes can be planted in' warm, sunny sites in the open on well prepared soil. Give them one good watering, but do not overdo watering until the fruit is set in December. THE FRUIT GARDEN

Take special care of all newly planted trees and bushes. In any dry spell of weather they should be given a thorough soaking, and after any wind storm they should be inspected to see that they have not been loosened in the soil. Strawberries are in full bloom and a mulch of clean straw should be put down to keep the fruit off the ground. Nets or frames should also be in readiness to protect crops from birds wherever this is necessary. Gooseberries, raspberries, red and black currants are all promising abundant crops this season. As soon as gooseberries are fit for stewing they should be well thinned out. Thinning may also be necessary, especially with young trees of certain varieties once the apple crop has set. Here the routine sprayings for codlin moth will need attention. Any attacks of woolly aphis should be checked by applying a little kerosene on a brush. THE FLOWER GARDEN

Seeds to be sown during November include polyanthus, anemone, ranunculus, wallflower, forget-me-not, sweet William and Canterbury bell. Continue to bed out half-hardy annuals and to make sowings of hardy annuals in beds and borders where they are to bloom. Staking and tying is most important in November, and nowhere more so than among the perennials. Give special attention to delphiniums, scabiosa, lupins, Canterbury bells, pyrethrums and lilies.

Where polyanthus have to be removed from their flowering quarters, see that they are planted in a cool moist bed where growth will not be seriously checked. Healthy crowns during the summer carry a wealth of bloom next spring. Aquilegias or columbines of the long spurred types make a beautiful display at this season. They are easily raised from seed and are most accommodating in that they will thrive even on poorish soil or in semi-shaded positions.