THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 98, 16 July 1927, Page 26

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE KITCHEN ORCHARD July is the best month for planting any new varieties of fruit or citrus trees that might be required in the garden. The damp weather is very suitable for the transplanting of trees, especially evergreens, as they then have plenty of time to recover from the shifting before the summer comes. Start winter spraying of all fruit trees, red oil. black leaf 40, or arsenate of lead are the best sprays for insect pests, bordeaux powder and lime and sulphur for fungoid diseases. Prepare ground for planting fruit trees; dig down two feet and fill hole up with rotted leaves and plenty of lime. Start pruning operations, cut out all unnecessary wood, care being taken to cut to the outside bud only. Paint the trunks and branches of the established trees with lime white wash mixture; this keeps the scale and moss from settling on the trees. Plant all fruit and citrus trees during July, gooseberries, strawberries, tree tomatoes, grapes and sundry nuts. THE FLOWER GARDEN. The planting season is now in full swing, and no delay should be made by those who desire good displays in the planting of roses, shrubs, climbers, hedge plants, liliums, gladioli, carnations, Japanese iris, lily of tlie valley, delphiniums and other herbaceous plants. All rose plants should be pruned this month; the object being to concentrate the sap into fewer channels, and so enhance tlie size and quality of the blooms. All old wood or branches that are past their prime can he cut out, allowing the younger and more vigorous shoots to take their place. Always prune to a good eye, pointing outwards, and weaker plants will require harder cutting back than stronger growing ones. Shrubs that produce their flowers on new wood such as hydrangeas, lasiandras, lantanas, tecomas, etc., can be cut hack and surplus branches removed this month, thus promoting new growth in early spring. Flower Seeds to Sow: —Antirrhinum, calliopsis, carnation, candytuft, cornflower, dahlia, dianthus, gaillardia, lobelia, larkspur, linaria, marigold, mignonette, nasturtium, poppies, salpiglosses, sweet peas, sweet sultan, scabious, verbena. Flower Seedlings to Plant: —Antirrhinum, calliopsis, dianthus, pansies, primula, poppies, aquilegias, gallardia, lobelia, larkspur, scabious, violas. Lawns that are a bit backward in growth may he topdressed with superphosphate and basic slag. The super will take action immediately and the slag will stimulate the growth for early spring. So much rain often makes the young .seedlings throw up premature flower spikes. This especially happens with stocks, antirrhinums and Iceland poppies. Nip off the flower stalk to allow the plant to continue making growth and they will then flower abundantly during the spring. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Extensive cultivation is impossible this month as the ground is too wet and cold, but gardeners must not be idle during the few fine days between the showers; constant hoeing and xVeeding will keep down the evergrowing hosts of weeds. All vegetable crops should be well dusted with lime every three or four days to keep down the ravages of slugs and help to stop the damp ground from turning sour. Plant out cabbage, cauliflower and onion plants in their allotted plots. Rhubarb, asparagus and strawberry plants are best shifted this month. Sow the seeds of broad beans, early peas, carrots, beet, parsnip, and turnip. Tomato seed may he sow'n in boxes or cool frames for the raising of early plants. Seed potatoes are now obtainable and many varieties are being offered to tlie public. Among the best sorts for present planting are Early Puritan, Up-to-date, Arran Chief, Robin Adair and GameThyme, sage, marjoram and all herbs should be planted now. Those already in the garden can be lifted and divided for growing on for Christmas use.