THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 28 (Supplement)

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN The great secret of success in growing vegetables is to keep constantly cropping, although at this time of the year it depends on the season that follows to a great extent as to the measure of success. Failures often occur, yet, on the other hand, they frequently succeed when least expected. The following plants may be set now:—Cape gooseberry, tomatoes, celery, r£d pickling cabbage, broccoli, egg plant. Brussells sprouts and kumeras. On no account buy onion plants for transplanting as the season is too far advanced and the plants will not mature. The following seeds may be sown in drills:—Leeks, broccoli, lettuce, beet, spring onions, radish. Sow in groups of three or four pumpkins, marrow, squash, melon and cucumber. This is one of the most suitable months to sow parsley seed and may be grown in almost any soil and situation. Sow seed in drills 12 inches apart and cover lightly. Parsley often takes four to five weeks before germination shows. Continue sowing sweet corn this month. if two varieties arcset, one early and one late, they will mature in succession and supply sufficient cobs of this delicious vegetable to last the whole season. Sow in drills 6 inches apart and 24 inches between the rows. During November much thinning out of vegetable rows takes place. Always try and weed out the small seedlings when the weather is showery, thus the roots of the remainder of the plants do not suffer from the shock caused by extraction. Continue spraying apples with arsenate of lead for codlin moth. Nectarines and peaches should be sprayed with bluestone and lime mixture for curly leaf. THE FLOWER GARDEN At last the plodding gardener has good cause to rejoice in the fact that his early work has at last borne fruit and the garden is now a wealth of bloom and loveliness. There is no doubt that the man or woman in question is performing a noble act among the community which, alas, is often accepted by the passer-by as a work of little consequence. Now that the weather is fine everybody’s thoughts should turn to the garden. The planting out of the following seedlings should now take plaae:—Cosmos, salvias, zinnias, asters, amaranthus, celoseos, petunias, verbena and marigolds. The last of the dahlia and chrysanthemum plants should be set this month. Procure only well-known varieties; better to grow four prize plants than a dozen ordinary varieties. Mulch the ground after planting and stake each variety. Kochia or summer cypress is a subject well worth cultivation. They are easily grown and maintain an oval-shaped bush of a light green colour which turns a dull red in the late autumn. These should be planted along a border 12 feet apart or one in the centre of a bed is sufficient. Now that the hot weather is approaching, gardeners are looking for plants that will withstand a dry situation. Calendulas, the old English marigold, should not be overlooked. These have been wonderfully improved of recent years and bloom for months. Plant out 12 inches apart. Hanging baskets should now be repaired and filled with any hardy trailing plant such as asparagus, tradescantia, lobelia and lotus. Pack baskets tightly with moss and fill with the best soil procurable. Erica or heath plains finished flowering should be pruned back to make new wood for next season’s flowers. Gladioli bulbs should be staked to protect from wind.