THE GARDEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 846, 14 December 1929, Page 34

THE GARDEN

By

LEONARD A. GRIFFITHS. F.R.H.S.,

“Jl tree is the gift of heaven to man.” — Yu-ta-

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS Lawns will benefit with a dressing of sulphate of ammonia sprinkled over the surface at the rate of ioz to every square yard. This preparation is also excellent for killing out annual weeds. Spring flowering bulbs have now fully matured and should be lifted and thoroughly dried before storing away. All spent blooms should be cut off daily. If seed is allowed to form, the plants soon give over blooming. A little nitrate of soda as a liquid manure at the rate of half an ounce to the gallon of water will help late-planted annuals. Petunias are good warm-weather subjects and, planted now, will soon make a good display. Chrysanthemums are growing freely and watch must be kept for aphis. At the first signs spray with Katakiller. Portulaccas can be sown now. These dwarf trailing plants will grow in the hottest and driest positions. There are single and double varieties. Dahlias can be planted, although it is time the plants were in the ground. When about a foot high the top should be pinched out to cause side-shoots to form. The idea is to produce a plant having three or four strong stems growing low down and forming a strong, bushy plant. Roses should have all spent blooms picked off daily. Rambler roses should have tire new long growths tied in carefully. Celosias, balsams, verbenas, cosmos, salvias, marigolds, can be planted now. VEGETABLE GARDEN Early planted tomatoes are now making rapid growth, and the fruits should be setting freely. , Keep all lateral shoots picked off, and the main stem securely tied. Do not water or manure until the fruits have set. Mulching is the best means of retaining moisture in the soil. It is far ahead of frequent applications of water. Stable manure is the best material, but any kind of semi-decayed vegetable matter can be used. Almost every kind of vegetable is the better for mulching, but beans, peas, cabbage and cauliflower especially benefit. Success in cultivation of vegetables, especially during the summer months, largely depends upon cultivation. The soil should be frequently stirred, and such things as peas, beans, cabbage, etc., should have soil drawn up to them. Kumeras can be planted. Work the soil to a fine tilth and apply a little sulphate of potash or wood ashes before planting. A planting of leeks can be made. These like a deeply-worked soil with plenty of manure. Once the plants are growing, frequent applications of liquid manure will give good results. Lettuce and radish must be sown frequently. A well-manured soil, slightly shaded, and the plants mulched, will produce good, succulent saladings. Cucumbers, marrows and pumpkins are now running freely, and pinching out the tops of the leading runners will encourage the production of laterals. Seeds of melons, pumpkins, etc., can still be sown. These require a sunny position free from cold winds. Further sowings of dwarf and runner beans should be made. Sow thinly, and as soon as the plants produce the first rough leaf, pull the soil up to the first or seed leaves. Keep the onion bed free of weeds. Be careful not to injure the bulbs when w-orking the hoe.