THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 590, 16 February 1929, Page 28

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG rHE FLOWERS LOOK AFTER THE FLOWER BEDS AND BORDERS: It is not the constant use of the watering-can that keeps flowers in beds and borders bright during a long season, but the use of the hoe hand-fork, or even a pointed stick, to keep the soil from becoming hard between the plants- This should be done several hours after each watering. Stake the plants and pick off dead flowers. LAYER BORDER CARNATIONS NOW: Use only the strongest and best shoots to layer, as weak layers always make weak plants. Some nice light sandy compost should be placed around the parent plants and after making the slit, the layers should be firmly pegged down and kept moist. WORK AMONG THE ROSES: Rambler roses require particular attention just now, as next year’s show depends much upon this. In the first place, where plenty of young shoots have been made this summer, all old wood which has flowered should be cut away at the base; if the new shoots are too thick, thin out the weakest. SWEET PEAS: Sweet peas sown late in the spring must be well looked after in times of drought, for their roots have not had time to get to any great depth. When water is given, see that it is in the form of a thorough soaking. FEEDING GLADIOLI AND DAHLIAS: These flowers respond well to regular feeding during this month and next, with liquid manure and soot water. They may have an occasional change of some reliable food, either dusted round the plants and watered in, or diluted and used as a liquid. CARE OF LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS: Staking, tying and disbudding are the main points in conntiction with the culture of these. This is the season also when vermin are active, so means must be adopted to keep the points free from green and black fly. Spraying overhead \\ith bleak leaf 40 liquid insecticide every three weeks or so, is a splendid specific and preventive. BULB SEASON: The season for setting spring bulbs is here and special beds should be prepared for planting. Old clumps of narcissus may be lifted, divided and reset at once as root growth will start immediately. Plots for anemones and ranunculus bulbs should be manured with bonedust ready for planting. Gardeners who like to grow hyacinths and tulips in glasses indoors, should prepare the fibre now and hunt up the jars ready for planting. AMONG THE VEGETABLES EARTHING UP CELERY: Many amateurs earth up celery too soon. Do not commence this work until the plants are least a foot high, then not more than six inches of soil is given. All side shoots should be taken away and the plants tied loosely with bass to keep the leaves together before it is done. SOW SPINACH NOW FOR WINTER USE: If seed of prickly-seeded or perpetual spinach is sown now, the plants will be at their best and produce abundance of succulent leaves for use in , winter. Ground that was well manured for an early crop of potatoes is suitable for spinach and should be made firm; draw drills 15 inches apart, eventually thinning the plants to six inches apart. PLANT PLENTY OF WINTER GREENS: There is still time to plant out sprouting and spring broccoli, late savoys, drumhead cabbages and kales. Ground that has been cleared of strawberries, peas or beans may be planted on, but it is advisable to fork or rake lightly in a dusting' of lime before setting out the plants. HARVESTING SHALLOTS: Shallots have been later in ripening than .usual, but in most districts they have fully ripened now and the crop should be gathered at once. If left in the ground, fresh roots are rapidly made and this detracts from the value of the bulbs. Lay them on a hard bottom to dry. PARSLEY FOR WINTER USE: To have a good supply of parsley during winter and early spring, a sowing should be made now in fairly good, deep soil. Parsley will do well in partial shade or in a sunny place, but must have some shelter during winter. Shallow drills should be made; if m.ore than one drill is made they should be no less than one foot apart. PLANTING LEEKS: Leeks require well-enriched ground to enable the stems to grow to a good size and be succulent. Planting can be done on the level or in trenches, as for celery. Space the rows one and a-half feet apart and the seedlings 10 inches apart. ROOT CROPS: Sowings of carrots, short horn, turnips, white or golden, and garden swedes may still be made. Water the drills thoroughly before setting the seed. Sow thinly as thick sowings only constitute more work in thinning out and is only a waste of seed. Keep the ground well hoed between the rows.