THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 496, 27 October 1928, Page 30

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS SOIL CONDITIONS. The ground is now in excellent condition for general planting. and seed sowing. The soil should be thoroughly hoed between all plants to allow the sun to penetrate through the loose surface soil. Applications of lime sprinkled round the flower beds will help the soil to reproduce elements that are now lying dormant. A general top-dressing of blood and bone will help backward cropsOUTDOOR SOWINGS. —Gardeners who cannot afford the time or patience to sow seeds in boxes may drill the following seed in sheltered corners or rockery pockets. Care must be taken to cover well, but not too deeply: Eschscholtzias or Californian Poppies make a. dazzling show on rock gardens, yielding flowers from yellow, orange'and reds through to pink shades. The Dwarf Tom Thumb Nasturtium makes a splendid quickflowering border, and is bright and showy. This is easily cultivated and never becomes a pest if pulled out before the seeding. Other worthy subjects are Phlox, Unaria, Mignonette, Dwarf French Marigolds, Linum, Candytuft, and the world-popular Virginian Stock. CARNATIONS. —Autumn planted Border and Perpetual. Carnations are now showing plenty of growth. Any dead loaves should be removed, and a general application of bonedust will be beneficial. Plants that are slightLy affected by rust or mildew should be sprayed with lime and sulphur or Bordeaux powder to prevent spreading. Plants that are starting to show flower buds should be disbudded if choice blooms are expected. PLANTS THAT HAVE DONE THEIR WORK. —AII gardeners are striving to grow plants that flower in the winter, but they must not neglect them after. Those with Bouvardias should cut them well back now to promote new bushy growth. Remember they always flower from the young shoots. Apply bonedust round the roots' and work in with the hoe. Violets are now about spent and should receive proper treatment. If new borders are required remove the strongest runners from the old plants, and set out Gin apart. If the old beds are satisfactory remove the runners and clean off the old leaves, applying blood and bone to tbe roots PRODUCING YOUR OWN PLANTS. —Every true gardener at some time or other loves to produce something worth while. Why not try now to produce a record show of flowers for the autumn? Here are many subjects worthy of your attention: Sow now in boxes Zinnias, Asters, Petunias, Salvias, Kochia, Celosia, Cockscomb, Larkspur, Amaranthus, Pyrethrum, Sunflower, Marigolds, Phlox, Penstemons and Geums. THE KITCHEN GARDEN TWO CROPS'OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. —Onions, the most used of any vegetable, should be planted at once. Further delay will be detrimental to the crop as the plants will not bulb sufficiently before the dry weather. Potash and bonedust are the two best manures. Set the plants 9in apart by 12in, thus leaving room for hoeing between. Tomatoes may now be planted in all districts. The two best home garden varieties are Market Favourite and Carter’s Sunrise. The former is the larger fruited of the two. Set the plants deeply to encourage stem rooting. SWEET POTATOES. —TIie famous Maori kumera should be planted this month. Deeply worked soil is more important than heavy manuring, and the two combined will yield a record crop. Be sure you obtain your plants from a. reliable source as there are many Java kumeras on the market. Before planting tie the roots in knots to ensure surface cropping and save labour in deep digging. Set the plants one foot apart on ridges. PEAS AND BEANS. —Most gardeners have a few already sown. These may be moulded up on either side to help support the plants and retain the moisture. Continue sowing Stratagem and Yorkshire Hero Peas, setting a row every fortnight to ensure continuous cropping. The Purple Podded Butter Bean is an excellent variety for small gardens, the purple pods turning green when boiled. Golden Wax is also another -worthy of your attention. Set the seeds in drills 3in apart in double rows and 30in between. A crop of lettuce or spinach may then be grown between the rows. SEEDS TO SOW. —The following root crops may be sown in boxes for transplanting:—Celery, Capsicum, Egg Plant and Salsify. Sow in beds for setting out later, Red or Pickling Cabbage, Broccoli, Savoys, Brussel Sprouts, Borecole or Curley Greens and Lettuce. Pumpkins, Cucumbers, Melons, Marrows and Kumi Kumi may be sown. INSECT PESTS. —SIugs and snails are always busy because they try to keep pace with the spring gardener. To stop this, keep down all weeds and freely sprinkle tobacco dust, White Island No. 1 or lime over the soil. Gardens attacked by slaters may be freed by using Paris Green, loz to 31b bran, sprinkling round the places that are infested. Broad beans showing signs of rust may bo sprayed with lime and sulphur, 1 in 40. CHRISTMAS HERBS. —Push on the herb bed by applying liquid manure to the plants. Remove all dead foliage and work round the plants with the hoe. Old clumps of mint may be divided and fresh, young shoots planted in new ground. A sowing of parsley made be made to keep up the continuous supply of tender foliage.