THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 454, 8 September 1928, Page 28

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER THE FLOWER GARDEN Spring again unlocks another season and Dame Nature is busy producing new growth in every direction. Trees and shrubs are blossoming, countless weeds are making their appearance and the gardeners’ hands are full with odd jobs that have been neglected through the colder months. FLOWER SEEDS.—Nearly every variety imaginable may be set this month. The following should be sown in boxes and lightly covered with sandy soil. A. sheet of glass over the box will keep the moisture in and help germination. Sow now: Asters, Cosmos, Petunia, Kochia, Stocks. Delphinium. Salvia. Zinnia, Celosia Portulacca, Gaillardia, Antirrhinum, Penstemon, Larkspur. OPEN BORDERS.—For sowing in open beds or borders many varieties may be used. Gardeners must first study the weather and if climatic conditions are not favourable, a week s delay will not matter. Sow if ready: Linaria, Clarkia, Godetia, Phlox. French and African Marigold, Mignonette, Virginian Stock. Alyssum and Dwarf Nasturtium. SHRUBS. —Late plantings of some varieties of trees may still be carried out. Species that like the warm weather and are pot grown such as Peppers, Flowering Gums, Acacias, Hibiscus, Lasiandra, etc., are not affected by late shiftings so long as they receive enough water until properly established. GARDEN PESTS.—SIugs and snails are now’ taking vigorous toll of many choice annuals. A good dusting of lime or tobacco dust will prerve very effective. Sprinkle freely among the rockeries and along the hedges. Woodlice are breeding in countless numbers and may be checked by mixing loz paris green with 41b bran and sprinkling about their nests. THE KITCHEN GARDEN GREEN PEAS.—What is lamb without green peas? Now is the time to get busy and fill the garden with necessary crops. For early' and quick, cropping the dwarf peas are the best: William Hurst, Little Gem and American Wonder are the three best early sorts. For second crops to follow' on, a little taller type is advised: Qreenfeast, Stratagem, or Richard Seddon are three good podded varieties growing 30in high. For later crops, and taller varieties that will require staking, are Yorkshire Hero, Glory of Devon and Veitch’s Perfection. ROOT CROPS. —The following root crops may now be sown in drills and thinned out when large enough: Beet, Radish, Turnip, Swedes, Spring Onions, Carrots, Parsnips and Kohlrabi. Work the ground up finely and cover the seed about its own depth. Firm the ground with the back of the spade after sowing. SUMMER SALADS.—During the warmer months miith cold meat is eaten and so plenty of greens w'ill be required to make this dish tasty'. Sow now in beds and transplant when ready; Lettuce. Leeks, Celery, Beet, Spinach, Parsley and Endive. TOMATOES. —Tomato plants can now be planted out in warmer districts. Those readers following our calendar will have their own plants ready now. Dig the soil deeply' before planting and scatter a little sulphur or White Island No. 1 in the ground a few days beforehand. Secure as many strong stakes as tomato plants and mark out the rows with the stakes before setting. Set the plants deeply' as they will then root up the stem. BEANS.—Dwarf, Butter and French Bean seed should now be. drilled in rows. Set the seeds from two to three inches apart and leave plenty of room between the rows for hoeing freely. Have you ever grown the Purple Podded wax variety? They taste delicious and boil green when cooked. The same cultivation is required as other sorts. Plant runner beans along fences or wires for training later. PUMPKIN AND MARROW.—In warm gardens these should now be planted. The richer the ground the better, as all this type of vegetable are gross feeders. Dig in all garden refuse and manure and set the seeds on top in clumps of three and thin out, leaving the strongest plant. If the pumpkin patch is in a windy spot sow a drill of sweet corn round the plot to protect the crop. VEGETABLE PLANTS.—Cabbage and cauliflower seedlings should now be planted in well-manured soil for summer and late autumn use. When established, plants may be watered with nitrate of soda No. 1, loz per gallon, to force the crop along. Onion seedlings should be planted out 9in apart in ground that is rich in potash. FRUIT TREES. —As soon as the apple blossoms are wilting they should be sprayed with arsenate of lead to prevent the codlin moth from entering the young undeveloped fruit. Peaches and nectarines must be sprayed with Bordeaux powder or lime and sulphur to prevent leaf-curl. TIDY LAWNS.—Now is the time to set to work and patch up the bare places in the lawns. Rake the patches over first and apply new soil if necessary. One pound of seed will sow 25 square yards of lawn. Lawns set in the autumn should be topdressed with sulphate of ammonia, lloz. to the gallon. This kills all annual weeds and produces new growth to help them over the coming dry periods.