THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 946, 12 April 1930, Page 30

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

BULB WEEK THE SEASON. —ApriI is one of the best months of the year for bulb planting. Bulbs and seeds set now and properly tended should give an excellent show during; the spring months. Seeds are best sown in pans or boxes for transplanting 1 later. Bulbs will succeed in almost any soil that is thoroughly drained. ANEMONES. —This popular bulb should be planted one inch deep and eight inches- apart in open beds. They make excellent flowers for cutting bloom at a useful period. Soak the bulbs in cold water overnight before planting. RANUNCULUS. —These should be treated the same as the former variety. They are of taller growth and are useful for tall borders or the centre of flower-beds. DAFFODILS. —Most gardens have already a few clumps of this popular spring flower. If they have been planted for a few seasons, lift and divide, replanting at once. Daffodils may be planted in grass banks by lifting the turf with a spade and placing the bulb underneath. TULIPS. —Ir is every gardener’s desire to grow tulips and a few should be attempted even if grown in a pot. Bury the bulb from one inch to three inches, according to the size of the bulb. A mixture of leaf-mould, sand and soil is an excellent composition for their growth. HYACINTHS. —These are quite easily grown indoors without soil. Place a plump bulb on the top of a narrow-necked glass vase filled with water. A lump of charcoal at the bottom of the vase will keep the water sweet. Place in a dark place until the bulb has a sprout one inch long, then slowly expose to the strong sunlight. Fill the vase daily, if required, with fresh water. BULBS FOR BORDERS. —Spring bulbs make excellent subjects for borders or window-boxes. Here are a few suitable for this purpose: Freesias, scented; tritonias, New Hybrids; lachenalias, scillas or good hyacinths, babianas and crocus. Artificial manure should be kept off the bulbs when planting, with the exception of slag or bonedust. However, once the bulbs are well in growth may be added if necessary. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN LAWNS. —The sowing of front and kitchen garden lawns should take place at once. Autumn sowing is always better than the spring as the heat in the ground helps to push along the grass which becomes well-established before the summer weather. One pound of seed will sow 25 square yards of ground. A good specially prepared mixture is always better than sowing one variety of grass. Any of the merchants will advise you the best to use in your district. CELERY. —PIants set earlier should now be well forward in growth. Mould the stems up as they grow and keep well saturated with water. Plants may still be set for a later crop. ROOT CROPS TO SOW. —The following seeds should be sown thinly in drills in the sunniest spot possible in the garden. Thin sowing saves the seed and the later labour of weeding out. Sow now shorthorn carrots, long red carrots, garden swedes, white turnips and Spanish onions. Leave plenty of room between the rows for working the hoe. FORCING CROPS. —Established crops of lettuce should be pushed ahead by using nitrate of soda, loz a gallon of water, and applied after a shower. This also applies to any of the cabbage family that are backward. Continual hoeing and forking the ground between the plants will help along all crops. WINTER CROPS. —Set plants of cabbage Drumhead, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and borecole now for late winter use. Sow seed of prickly spinach and silver beet. The leaves contain healthgiving properties. Sow red beet seed where the plants are to mature. Don’t transplant, but thin out the surplus growth. FLAVOURING CROPS. —Cut off the seed-heads from the herbs such as thyme, marjoram and sage. Old clumps should be lifted, divided and the new shoots replanted. Bulbs of garlic, shallots and potato onions may now be planted. Divide and replant the chive clumps. Sow a pinch of parsley seed.