THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 364, 26 May 1928, Page 28

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE FLOWER GARDEN It is generally accepted that most home lovers are “potterers” in the matter of gardening, but we venture to remark that the big majority do not obtain the results they should considering the time and energy spent. That little something which makes all the difference between failure and success is missing. The Sun notes are endeavouring to supply that something which will be the means of turning hundreds of unprofitable and colourless home plots into smiling and remunerative patches of verdant vegetation. The service it renders is unique inasmuch as all its teachings have been carried out by tutors who are all practical men. Autumn has passed and winter plantings are about to begin. P.enovate the rose bed, cutting back dead growth and discarding useless varieties. Dig over the soil in preparation for the new plants. Cut back chrysanthemum bushes that have finished flowering, burning the old stems in case of rust disease. Thin out the perennial clumps, discarding the overcrowding growth. For borders plant out primula malacoides 6 inches apart. This carries dainty lavender flowers for months on end. Violas are very popular for edging and can be obtained in colours of yellow, blue and white. Plant 8 inches apart. Set the bulbs of gladioli at once. Plant the bulbs from 2to 3 inches deep with a handful of sand under each corm. Christmas lilies should be planted this month if early blooms are desired. These may be flowered well in pots and are useful for house decoration. One bulb in a six inch pot. Sow the seeds of summer sweet peas in drills 4 to 6 inches apart in deeply trenched soil. The following seeds may be set in boxes. , Nemesia, pansy, cineraria, stock, carnation and dianthus. Plant out hardy seedlings for spring and summer flowering such as antirrhinum, canterbury bells, stocks, sweet william, anemones, ranunculus. Cyclamen if bedded out now will flower through the winter. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN The winter months are approaching and trenching, spading, pruning and renovating are but a few of the gentle reminders for the amateur. It is during the cold months that the drudge work is undertaken. . Prepare now for planting fruit trees, shrubs, roses and hedge plants. These may he moved early in June and the ground should he in planting condition to receive them. The economic gardener should he working ground to receive potatoes, asparagus, rhubarb, artichokes and many other vegetables of equal importance. ‘ Broad beans should be sown in drills 6 inches apart and 2 feet between the rows. When the seedlings reach a. height of 18 inches pinch out the tops to make them branch. This is a good idea to be applied in windy gardens as the crop may be kept dwarfed and bushy. Early long pod is the best variety. In sheltered gardens dwarf early peas may be sown. William Hurst is the best for planting now, maturing in about 9 weeks, but do not attempt this crop unless you have the correct warm situation. Strawberry runners are now available for the kitchen garden. Plant in rows leaving sufficient room to hoe along the lines. Marguerite is the most profitable variety for gardeners who have not enough room to experiment in fancy sorts. Sow the following seeds now:—Carrots, parsnips, beet, lettuce, onions, spinach, silver beet and cress. Plant out seedlings of cabbage, cauliflower, beet, celery and lettuce. Dig the ground deeply ant work in rotted manure. Herbs are an important crop that we all require about Christmas time. Plant out thyme, sage, marjoram, mint, and parsley roots. Lift and divide old clumps planting out jyre fresh new growths. Garlic, shallots and chives may be set in odd corners and are a good standby for early use. Old rhubarb crowns may be divided with the spade and replanted in rich ground.