THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 648, 27 April 1929, Page 32

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS SEEDLING HINTS. —April is a good month for setting flower seedlings for spring displays. Here are a few good tips to be remembered. ~ , . „ Anv plant with yellowy foliage is not worth buying. Make the land nice and friable, lumpy surfaces will not suit Never leave a parcel of seedlings to soak long in water. Damning the soil will do well enough. , , . , Firm everything as you plant it and don t leave too long between the waterings. . . . BEST TO PLANT NOW. —Iceland poppies are among the best seedlings offering. Set the plants close together for a good show. Early stocks arc splendid for quick returns, feet the plants in a warm bed 10 inches apart. Cinerarias are useful for setting in shady places or under trees. Plant 12 inches apart. Pansies should claim your urgent attention —rich ground and heaP HVI PORT ANT JOBS. —Feed the daphne bushes well with liquid manure. They will then give good returns this coming winter. Hvdrangeas should be pruned well back after flowering. feupply the violet rows with plenty of liquid manure to prolong their flowering. Bouvardias should be mulched with rotted manure to help the winter blooms. . „ . , . CONTINUE PLANTING. —The last of the spring bulbs, including anemones, tulips, ranunculus, narcissus and ixias. The named varieties of border and perpetual carnations should be shifted into well-limed and manured ground. Cyclamen are excellent subjects to pot up for early flowering in the house. Set seedlings of antirrhinum, nemesia, dianthus, sweet william, larkspur and pyrethrun. PERENNIAL PLANTS. —Cut back zonal geraniums and peiegoniums after the dry autumn. Fresh cuttings may be struck if required for spring planting. Michaelmas daisy and golden rod may be pruned well back as they have not finished growth. Head dahlia blooms require cutting off the bushes and the chrysanthemums tieing up as they grow. Keep the soil hoed among the plants and apply liquid manure. AUTUMN TIME IS LAWN TIME. —If you have not already sown that iawn do so now before the winter weather sets in. The colder the weather the slower the growth. Three pounds of seed will sow SO to 100 square yards. Roll the ground before setting, rake well and roll afterwards. On soils that are very heavy or sticky, one rolling may be sufficient. Lawns may be top-dressed with manure, 4ozs a square yard after the seed is up. THE KITCHEN GARDEN STRAWBERRY PLANTING. —Every gardener should have at least one little row of these delicious berries in his garden and now is the time to set. Procure sturdy young runners and plant in rows 10 inches apart. It is not necessary to have over-rich ground as they respond better to manuring later. For small gardens Marguerite, Ettsberg or Captain Cook are the most suitable sorts. THE ALLIUM FAMILY. —The most y important crop of the month is the setting of all the varieties 'of the Allium or onion family. Seed of Brown or Straw Spanish onion should be drilled thinly in rows for transplanting later. One oz. of seed will grow 1,000 plants. Garlic, shallots, tree and potato onions should be set in ground well manured with potash. Chives are a good standby for winter soups and spring salads. PREPARE FOR WINTER PLANTlNG. —Gardeners thinking about setting fruit trees this winter should start and prepare the ground now while the soil is easily workable. Holes may be dug and filled with manure and leaves to rot into humus. Guavas, loganberries and gooseberries should all be grown in the kitchen garden, as they are important for all cooking recipes. SEEDS TO SOW. —The following root crops may be sown for quick crops. Plant only in ground away from all shadows and where they will get the full sunlight. Sow winter turnips, white and yellow, Shorthorn and Oxheart carrots, because they mature quicker than the long species, round or turnip beet. An early sowing of broad beans may be set to mature early and so escape the rust disease. PLANTS TO GROW. —Cabbage plants are now free from the ravages of the fly and young seedlings may be set with safety. AV’inter savoys and Enfield Market are the best varieties. Caulillowers may be set for cutting late spring. Early White and Autumn Giant are the best. S il>er beet and spinach are excellent for winter greens. Leeks may still be planted in rows for using in spring soups. Mould up the soil round the earlier planted celery and leek crops. VACANT LAND. —“Waste not want not,” is an old motto. If you have land lying idle, plant it at once in oats or mustard for digging in. You will have to turn it over later in any case for idle land must grow weeds. Humus is the best manure you can use and by digging in green stuff you are supplying the land’s urgent needs.