THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 May 1927, Page 24 (Supplement)

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. At last more congenial weather conditions prevail and the month of May offers great opportunities for the enthusiast. Strawberry runners may now be planted out in rows lOin. apart and 2ft. between the rows. Ettsberg is a small sweet berry recommended for private gardens. Marguerite or Waikato strawberry is a larger berry but not so good in flavour. Asparagus roots should now be planted in beds that have been prepared for them. The older the roots the quicker they will come into bearing. No kitchen garden should be without shallots and garlic. These bulbs are obtainable now, do not delay in planting. Root crops, such as carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips should be sown in warm situations. Silver beet will also do well planted at this time of year. Rhubarb summer and winter should find its place in some corner of your garden. Well rotted stable manure or leaves should be buried under the roots. Brood bean seed should be sown early to mature before the rust or bumble bee spoils the crops. Remember June is the month for planting fruit trees; make your preparations now while the weather is good. THE FLOWER GARDEN. May is a month of sunny day temperatures and cool nights, generally fine with conditions sometimes broken by moderate rainfalls. , . .... . ~ .. Summer flowering bulbs may now be set, liliums, gladioli, amaryllis, etc. , , . Winter flowering sweet peas should be well advanced in growth if not already in bud. Apply sulphate of potash and ammonia in liquid form, loz. per gallon, to encourage growth and flowers. Plant out cinerarias in sheltered spots; they do exceptionally well when planted round tree stumps. Nemesia makes a fine bedding plant and gives a blaze of colour for weeks on end. Antirrhinum, stocks and poppies are among the earliest of spring flowering plants; procure only the best of strains. Quality not quantity is by far the best policy. Rock gardens should be overhauled and weeded. New cuttings can be planted where old stock have died. Thrift sedums, phlox subulata and arabis are all hardy plants worthy of a place in your rockery. .. llerbacious plants are beginning to show growth; cut away anv old growth and continually hoe round the plants. Rose trees may be pruned back as required, all dead wood out out and weak varieties discarded. Roses are the most important item for the flower lover as nothing gives such return for your labours as the "Queen of Flowers.”