THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 566, 19 January 1929, Page 26

THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER

AMONG THE VEGETABLES JANUARY PREPARATIONS.—This is a most important month in the kitchen garden as the foundations for the coming winter months must be laid. Also much time will have to be spent in keeping those plants already established on the move, by frequent waterings if the ground is dry, and constant lioeings to keep the soil loose and free from weeds. All spare land should be well dug and manured to receive the autumn planting of the cabbage family. This crop succeeds best in ground where root crops have just finished. « WHAT TO PLANT OR SOW. —Seeds of the following varieties may be sown at once for winter and early spring use. Cabbage, winter savov, drumhead, siiccession and red pickling sorts. The latter stands the ravages of the fly best and is quite nice to eat when cooked like ordinary cabbage. Broccoli, Brussel sprouts and curley greens may be set now. They succeed well in cold districts, especially if there is plenty of frost. If sowing the seeds of the above varieties, drill thinly out in the open and transplant when large enough. Plants are also now available. ROOT CROPS. —A good sowing of garden swedes and white soft turnips may be made at once. A great mistake in cultivating this crop is overcrowding. Sow the seed thinly in drills and thus save excessive thinning oLit. Short horn carrots are the quickest to mature now. Radishes may still be set if sufficient water is given to grow the crop quickly. Slow growing radishes are hot and tough. Beet, turnip rooted, is the best for present planting. Sow the seed where the crop is to mature as transplanting in the warm weather often causes them to run to seed. TOMATO ADVICE. —Most garden homes grow tomato crops and from now onward they will be ripening freely. Keep all fruit picked regularly as they colour. Any fruit showing signs of black spot should be cut off and burnt and the plants sprayed. Keep the foliage thinned out, the laterals pinched off and the plants firmly tied to the stakes. Liquid manuring with sulphate of potash and ammonia at this period helps the fruiting, loz per gallon of water. For caterpillar pests spray with arsenate of lead, teaspoonfuls per gallon. THINGS TO GROW.—A sowing of leeks can still be made although plants are now available. Set celery, solid white, from now onwards in well dug trenches. Don’t bother setting any more kumera plants as they will not return enough for the labour spent, but keep the first crop well watered. When the pumpkins have thrown out fairly long runners nip off the ends and encourage them to branch more. They always bear better from the side laterals. Keep the marrows and cucumbers well hoed round and the surface soil loose. Continue sowing succession crops of beans and peas, dwarf varieties. AMONG THE FLOWERS DRY WEATHER BEDDING.—Many subjects are suggested for bedding out at this period of the year. Perhaps the most hardy and showy is the marigold. A lot of gardeners do not realise their real value. If set now they withstand the dry autumn and bloom on to the winter months. The dwarf French is excellent for edging and massed bedding, the colours ranging in yellows to bronze and striped shades. The taller African marigold is fine for backing borders or centre of flower beds. The flowers are a giant double yellow and orange in colour. SEEDS FOR WINTER FLOWERING.—AII gardeners strive to grow winter flowers but few start early enough to accomplish this act. Sow seeds of Iceland poppy, the large sunbeam strain and plant out as early us possible for flowering in May. Beauty or early flowering stock should be sown in boxes for June flowering, but will have to be kept sprayed against the caterpillar. Winter sweet peas may be sown cit once in well dug and trenched land. If the soil is dry, soak the seed before planting. PLANTS TO SET.—The following plants are hardy and will succeed if they are well watered through the growing season:Amaranthus (Joseph’s Coat), pyrethrum, zinnias, verbenas, antirrhinums, calendulas, marigolds, celosia, salvia, phlox, petunia and cockscomb. For rockeries and stony paths, portulacca is a subject that thrives where others fail. The bulb season will soon be here again and beds should be prepared and manured with bonedust ready for planting. URGENT WORK.—Asters that are attacked by caterpillar should be sprayed with arsenate of lead every seven days until the pest is well choc »d. Dahlia plants should be tied up as they grow and kept well watered. Rust on chrysanthemums can be cured by spraying with lime and sulphur according to directions on label. Gladioli showing'flower spikes should be carefully staked.