THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 768, 14 September 1929, Page 32

THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS SEPTEMBER. —This month finds the garden filled with spring bu’bs in full bloom. Anemones, daffodils, primroses and violets all look d picture, but gardeners cannot afford to sit backhand smile at their now fruitful efforts. After spring comes summer, then autumn, so commence planting at once all those seedlings that will take the place of the spring bulbs. SEEDLINGS TO PLANT.—Open flower-beds may be filled with nemesias, carnations, antirrhinums, stocks, phlox, French marigolds, calendulas. Iceland poppy and schizanthus. For making border effects and edging pathways set the seedlings of pansy viola, lobelia, primula malacoides or French marigolds. Shady positions may be filled with cinerarias. Canterbury bells or dianthus. With the shops now well filled with choice seedlings, the gardener will find plenty to choose from. ROSE HINTS.—Rose bushes are now breaking out into leaf and careful watch should be kept for signs of green aphis or spider. This may easily be kept in check by spraying with Black Leaf 40. Ngyv suckers springing up from the ground should be removed as they are worthless to the plant. Fork between the bushes, stirring the soil over and removing weeds, etc. Well-rotted manure or bonedust should be applied as a general stimulant. IMPORTANT JOBS.—Prepare the ground and richly manure for the planting of dahlias next month. Harden off chrysanthemums that may have been struck from cuttings. Floe frequently between the iV>\vs of annuals to help the sunshine to penetrate through the loose soil. Annuals throwing up premature flower spikes should be qipped back to encourage branching. Plant gladioli bulbs at once. SEEDS TO SOW.—Virginian stock may be scattered about in odd corners to brighten up the gloom It is wonderful what results may be had. Alyssum, linaria, linum and mignonette may be drilled outside for border work. For summer flowering sow in boxes the seeds of celosia, petunia, asters, zinnias, salvia, cosmos, marigolds and balsam. THINGS TO SET.—Plant clumps of all perennials such as delphiniums, helenium, Michaelmas daisy. Plant gladioli bulbs at once. Final plantings of roses should be made before the buds get too advanced. Flowering and ornamental trees should be set without delay. >Hardy creepers for covering fences and pergolas will <lo well now. Ficus and ivy are useful for planting against brickYvork. LAV/NS.—New seed may be sown on bare patches. Weekly clippings should now be commenced. Topdress with superphosphate and blood and bone. AMONG THE VEGETABLES PLANTS TO SET.—Spring in the vegetable garden is indeed a busy month. Commence at once and set plants ol! cabbage and eauliflower. Lettuce plants should receive a warm corner. Transplant seedlings of onions, silver beet, red beet and plants of parsley, mint, thyme and sage. Early tomatoes may be planted only in warm corners or in the open if protected by tins or the new paper hotkaps. PEAS AND BEANS.—Peas should be sown from now onward in succession, say, a i-oyv every fortnight to keep up a continual supply. The best varieties for setting are Daisy, William Hurst. Petit Pois and Stratagem. Dwarf French beans, Canadian Wonder and butter beans may be planted from now onward. The new purple-podded variety is excellent for small gardens, a heavy cropper and turns green when boiled. FRUIT TREES.—Finish planting all varieties of apples, peaches, plums, etc., before it is too late. When they break into leaf the check of shifting is too severe. Pruning should be now completed. Have you finished yours? A spraying of Bordeaux power or lime and sulphur Yvill help to prevent the curley leaf. The trunks of the trees may be painted with rock lime. THEY PAY iO GROW.—Have you an ugly fence that wants covering? If so, set a two-year-old balled passion fruit. Plants of this size make rapid growth and succeed where seedlings fail. Loganberry vines are useful for covering a fowlhouse. Set them now. Guava plants make a fine dwarf hedge in front of the vegetable garden and the fruit makes excellent jam. Now is the time to set these good things. Get busy. ROOT CROPS.—Sow thinly in drills the following seeds: Carrots, shorthorn, and long varieties; beet, round and long; parsnip, leeks, spring onions, radish, long and round. Rake the soil until surface is fine and cover to a depth of half an inch. Bonedust may be dusted along the drill before sowing. Slugs and snails may be held at bay by using lime and White Island sulphur free! s’. SEEDS TO SET. —The following varieties may be set in boxes, for transplanting later:—Red cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, celery, borecole, endive and egg-plant. Tubers of potatoes may be set in every garden.