THE WEEK'S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 116, 6 August 1927, Page 26

THE WEEK'S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN August heralds the coming of spring, the gardeners busiest months of the year. Continue to dig or trench all vacant ground and prepare for sowings of all main crop vegetables. Large plantings of potatoes can now be made of both early and late varieties. The southern potato seed offered this year appears to be sound and free from disease. The best early varieties are Early Puritan and Early Rose. Main crop varieties, Arran Chief, Gamekeeper and Up-to-date. Prepare the ground for early sowing for Butter and French Beans, these can be planted about the middle of the month. Early dwarf peas may now be set, William Hurst and Dwarf American Wonder mature quickest. Shallots, garlic and onions should be planted at once in newly trenched ground about Gin. apart and lOin. between the rows. Wood-ashes raked in the surface of the soil will prove beneficial, Vegetable Seeds to Sow:—Beet, broad beans, cabbages, carrots, endive, cress, lettuce, mustard, spring onions, parsnips, peas, spinnach and turnips. Large sowings of the above can be commenced almost any time. The soil should be made rich, well-worked and pliable before sowing. THE ORCHARD AND SHRUBBERY Plant all fruit trees at the first opportunity. Such trees as nectarines, peaches, etc., commence growth early and if the planting is left much later the check of removal will keep the tree back. Continue to prune all fruit trees with the exception of figs, walnuts, and mulberries which are best left until all danger of frosts are over. Spray the trunks and branches with lime and sulphur to clear any sign of moss away. The planting of ornamental and flowering trees should be carried out as soon as possible. Pepper tees, scarlet gums, poinsettias and acacias or wattles may do better if left until the September warm weather. Roses of all descriptions may be planted at once. Careful pruning operations should take place, cut out all dead wood and unsightly growth. THE FLOWER GARDEN If weather permits push forward with all digging and hoeing that may be required in the herbaceous border. Roll all lawns well if the ground is not, too wet, to give them a good surface. Final plantings of all summer flowering bulbs must be made. Gladioli, liliums, cannas and Jap. Iris. If you are contemplating planting any of the above varieties don’t delay longer. All herbaceous plants such as shasta daisy, rudbeckia, phlox, perennial asters, solidago and helenium which are to be divided should be lifted now and replanted out. If the plants are to remain in the same spot hoe in manure round the roots. Don’t start too early with the sowings of phlox, aster, marigold, etc., wait until the weather is more settled, towards the end of August. Sow the following flower seeds now:—Cornflower, sweet peas, linaria, pansy, Virginian stock, lobelia, gaillardia, salpiglossus, poppy, mignonette, sweet sultan, etc. Indoor pot plants are now looking very sick; maiden hair that is turning brown should be cut off and not overwatered. Rex Begonias may be repotted into good, sweet soil. When watering nephrolepis ferns try and keep the leaves dry during the cold weather as nothing destroys them quicker than this.