THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 643, 20 April 1929, Page 30

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS APRIL SOWINGS.—ApriI is a. goud month to sow flower seeds for spring blooming. Sowings made later than this will be much slower iii growth and will have to struggle along through the colderweather. The following varieties may be sown in boxes or seed pans lor transplanting later:— . . ... SEEDS TO SET.—Antirrhinum, carnations, Canterbury bells, cinerarias, delphiniums, gaillardia, geum, nemesia, stock, pansy poppy, primula, scabiosa. verbena. Cover with a mixture of fine soil and sand and place a sheet of glass over the container. The following varieties may be sown outside where they are to mature: Calendula or English marigold. Virginian stock, dwarf nasturtium, linaria and mignonette. HERALDS OF SPRING.—For the past few weeks we have been advising the planting of bulbs. Have you done this yet? If not, make this your first job, otherwise you will be too late. All growth should be started while there is still heat in the ground, otherwise they will be late in flowering. Bonedust is the best fertilser to use. HERBACEOUS PLANTS.—Lift and divide all roots of primrose and polyanthus and reset in fresh ground. Take cuttings of calceolarias, bronze and yellow, for spring planting. Cut back the Michaelmas daisy and helenium and golden rod that have finished flowering. Give the hedges their final clipping before winter. ROSE TREATMENT. —In districts free from frost early pruning and thinning out of growth may be commenced. Cut back all weak-growing varieties and remove dead wood. Where heavy frosts are experienced rose trimmings should be left over till the middle of August. Hoe or fork the ground between the bushes and incorporate rotted stable manure and bonedust. SHOWY BORDERS.—There are many gardeners always at a loss to kngw what to grow along their flower borders or edges. Here are some varieties that may be sown now for this work: Primular Malacoides, a dainty, free-flowercr, lavender and white in colour. When ready set the plants six inches apart. Violas, or budding pansies are prolific in their growth and colour schemes may be worked with great effect. Seed may be had in separate colours of blue, yellow and white. They are great feeders, so rich ground is required. Lobelia: This lovely little blue flower is well-known to garden lovers and the quaint tufts of the Crystal Palace Compacta variety make an excellent and pleasing border. Set the plants eight inches apart. AMONG THE VEGETABLES URGENT SOWINGS.—ApriI Is the last month before the warmer weather of spring arrives that we can make any extensive sowings of vegetable seeds, as if sown in the cold weather the small plants will have to make a fight of it to keep their end up, and may become stunted and worthless. Sow or plant the following varieties at once in the sunniest corner available. BEETROOT (Annual). —Either sow seed in seed-bed or transplant seedlings—six inches apart will do. Beet is hardy. Use narrow' beds for carrot, parsnip, turnip or beet. BROAD BEANS (Annuals).—Average 3ft. Sin. Stiff soil the best. Beans are eaten, not the pods. CABBAGE (Annual). —Sow seed in open, grow quickly, manure land, bed out early, keep clean with hoe, plant 20 to 24 inches apart. Sow either St. John’s Day, Succession or Enfield Market. CARROT (Annual). —Sow seed over surface of well-prepared bed and cover with manure. Thin seedlings as early as possible. FOR SALAD—SOW MUSTARD AND CRESS together. Cut when about four inches high. May be grown all the year round. GARLIC.—SmaII bulbous specimens of the onion family. Very strong smelling, used for flavouring soups, and considered to possess medicinal properties. * LEEK (Annual) .—Plant out seedlings in rich, deep soil; feed hard. Leek likes lots of nourishment. PARSLEY. —Always have a bed of parsley somewhere round home. Prepare a border or bed, broadcast seed, top-up with manure, and leave the plants alone. The wife will see to the cutting later on.