THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 329, 14 April 1928, Page 26

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN The vegetable garden proves the mettle of the -worker and rewards him fairly, justly, according to the work and time spent. Remember, every minute among the crops goes to make a larger cabbage, longer carrots and in the end saves money and gives health apd strength to all those occupied. Do not forget to set broad beans now. They are of a very hardy nature and can be grown in almost any ground or situation. Early long pod is the best variety for home gardeners and if sown early will escape the pests that attack spring plantings. The following root crops may be sown in drills while yet the ground is warm: Carrots, parsnips, beet, turnips, swedes and onions. Small sowings of lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, silver beet and parsley should be made every few weeks to keep up u constant supply. Any vacant ground can now save you money by growing its own manure. Sow lupins, mustard or oats for digging in humus. This is far better than any artificial manure and cheaper. The most important and widely used crop is onions. Plants will not be available for many weeks and seed is cheap. Why not raise a few yourself? Sow the seed in drills and transplant when large enough to handle. Brown or early Straw Spanish are the best varieties. Autumn lawn grass sowings are always the best as the young grass has the cooler months of the year to establish itself. Three pounds of seed will, if properly sown, cover about 100 square yards of ground. In sheltered gardens, potatoes may be replanted and produce crops when most wanted. Plant the seed 12in apart, and ISin between the rows. One dessertspoonful of manure mixed with the soil under each set will work wonders. Garlic, shallots and chives may be set if required and are always useful for pickling and sauces. Celery plants can still be set foi' a late crop and should be planted in well-manured and treijched soils. THE FLOWER GARDEN Ideal weather prevails for Nature’s pleasing pastime and gardeners should all be busy making up for the last few bad months. Gardening is a real man’s recreation in every sense of the word —void of all unclean and evil influences, which condemn so many other so-called hobbies. Three good hardy annuals for present sowing are calliopsis, a free bloomer on long stalks bearing yellow flowers and useful for picking; clarkia which may be sown in open ground and makes a great show massed or in clumps; godetia which requires similar treatment to clarkia and can be combined with almost any other annual. Finish planting all spring bulbs such as hyacinths, tulips, ranunculus, anemones. If early blooms are wanted no time can be lost. Remember bonedust is the only manure suitable for using when planting bulbs. Prepare ground for the setting of giant gladioli, Japanese iris and lilium bulbs. All these may be set from May till July and require well-dug and drained soil. Choice varieties of carnations may now be set while yet the ground is warm. Force on early sweet peas with liquid manure to obtain early flowers. Sow the seed of the following variety in boxes: Poppies, stock, cineraria, nemesia, larkspur, carnations, Canterbury bells, verbena, calliopsis, hollyhock, antirrhinum. For borders and growing in clumps sow in open ground mignonette, Virginian stock, dwarf nasturtium, clarkia, godetia, linaria and linum. . Carefully stake chrysanthemums that are making growth. Disbud the plants if good blooms are required and spray to prevent rust with black leaf 40. Spent dahlia blooms should be cut away if the plants are expected to continue flowering. ifor quick flowering and to till up while the seedlings are growing, plant antirrhinum, pansy, stock, larkspur, namesia, primula or lobelia plants. Any of the above varieties are now available. Commence cutting back rose biishas to give them their required rest and also fork in bonedust and blood.