THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 318, 31 March 1928, Page 26

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE FLOWER GARDEN March is drawing to an end, and from now on the climate will gradually get cooler. This gives the gardener more energy to work his little plot, and week-ends should be filled with the countless jobs waiting to be done. “For as ye sow, so shall ye reap.” This is an excellent time to take cuttings of most perennial garden plants such as roses, geraniums, verbenas, fuchsias, marguerite, daisy, pelargoniums, and such like, all of which will strike readily if kept moist and shaded until they begin to root. Herbaceous plants such as Michaelmas daisy, helenium and golden rod should be (*.ut well back after flowering. Have you ever grown aquiligeas? They are both quaint and elegant, and will repay any effort bestowed upon them. The new long-spurred variety is far in advance of the old Granny Bonnet, and if seed is sown now they will flower in the summer. Favourites for sowing now are pansies, which constitute most valuable bordering plants, and violas, which are fast coming into favour, the cultivation and habit being the same as the pansy. They possess a wonderful long period of blooming and are easily raised from seed sown in boxes. Bulb planting is still being carried on, but if one wishes early spring blooms, further delay will be fatal. Plant now for borders, freesias, tritonias, seillias, muscari, sparaxis, cyclamen. Plant in clumps round the beds daffodils, ixias, gladioli (small type), tulips, hyacinths, Christmas lilies, for bedding purposes lachenalia, anemone, ranunculus and jonquils. Chrysanthemums are now budding freely and a stimulant should now be given them if first-class blooms ax-e wanted. Sulphate of ammonia and potash are the best manures to use, applied in liquid form. Sow the following seeds in the open ground, water copiously first and drill thinly;—Virginian stock, mignonette, candytuft, Shirley poppies, phlox, alyssum, linaria and primula. Statice or everlasting flower, has sprung into prominence the last few. seasons and is well worthy of a place in every garden. Sow seed now ranging in colours of rose, yellow, lavender and white. Tom Thumb nasturtiums may be dibbled along the borders, and if kept under control make a showy mass. Hanging baskets may be quaintly decorated by poking seeds into the sides of the baskets: All ferns' and poc plants should be manured and fresh soil added if necessary. This may help them through the colder period of the year. Hanging baskets should be patched up, and fresh moss pushed into the vacant places. THE KITCHEN GARDEN Lawns have suffered frightfully this summer, and many front and kitchen lawns need patching up. For the back, ryegrass and clover may be scattered over the bare places and top-dressed, but a good reliable lawn seed should be sown in the front. VEGETABLE SEEDS TO SOW NOW: —Broad beans, onions, beetroot, silver beet, spinach, carrots, lettuce, swedes, turnips, cress. PLANTS AND TUBERS TO SET: —Cabbage, leeks, cauliflower, celery, broccoli, garlic and shallots. In former chapters we have stressed the usefulness of green manuring. Now is the time to start. Sow lupins or oats on soil that is inclined to be sour, mustard on soil that is very dry and hard. Ryegrass and clover may be sown in runs for the fowls to scratch among. Cabbage and cauliflowers thrive in opon spaces away from the shade of fences and trees. Unless these conditions are available it would be better for the small holder to turn his attention to more paying crops. For the best onion seed ask for Straw Spanish. This is a good variety for the kitchen garden, producing double the crop of Brown Spanish, and keeping quite long enough for the average household. Sow the seed in drills; loz seed will produce easily 1,000 plants. Scatter and rake in potash before sowing. Broad beans are often a failure because they are planted too late. Sow' now and they will escape the rust and bumble bee. Plant a clump of chives in the vegetable garden and you will have the onion’s flavour all the year round. Herbs should be cut back after their flow'ering period and new clumps of thyme planted if necessary. Sow a pinch of parsley every month and save that eternal buying. Commence earthing up early leeks and celery as they require it and water copiously unless rain falls. Rhubarb crops have finished and the roots should be lifted and stored for a short rest.