THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 992, 7 June 1930, Page 32

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

AMONG THE FLOWERS June is the month in the flower garden when preparations for a dazzling spring show should take place. The gardeners who are lazy now- will regret it later on. Plant all summer flowering bulbs now. Gladioli should be planted in rich ground; a handful of sand under each bulb will help the young corms, which form on the parent bulb, to mature. Lilium bulbs should have a place in every garden. "What is better than a clump of beautiful St. Joseph or Madonna lilies at Christmas time? Do not plant these bulbs where the ground becomes too damp or w’aterlogged, as they have a tendency to rot. Sow the spring flowering sw*eet peas in their permanent positions. These will require watching from the ravages of the snails and slugs. Gardeners, beware about buying cheap seeds. Quality should be the aim of every enthusiast. It is impossible to produce and select reliable strains of flower seeds at too low’ a figure. The cost of the seed is nil if you obtain the required results. Sow* in boxes for spring flowering the following seeds; —Pansy, verbena, cineraria, nemesia. poppy (Iceland;, stock (beauty), antirrhinum, lobelia and carnation. VEGETABLE GARDEN At last the cold winter weather has come. In most places the soil is cold and damp and the growth of the plants is naturally slow. When planting out winter and early spring crops pick the warmest and most sheltered spots in the garden. Well-drained open spaces are preferable. All vacant ground that will not be required should be dug over and left in the rough state, as the effects of the frost will be beneficial to later crops. Make small-sowings of the following seeds;—Broad beans, onions (Spanish), cabbage (Enfield), to follow the winter crop. Prickly or winter spinach, drumhead lettuce, beet, parsnip and carrot. Continual cultivation betw*een the rows with hoe or rake is strongly advised. This helps the soil to dry during the fine days and prevents sourness. Set out plants of cabbage and cauliflow’er; these vegetables thrive w*ell during the W’inter. Blood and bone manure w’ill help to give them a start off. Have you ever grown asparagus? If not plant the roots now. This vegetable is delicious and easily grown. Procure three-year-old roots if possible, as these w'ill return a crop the first season. ORCHARD AND SHRUBBERY June is a month of splendid opportunities for those gardeners laying out new ground. All fruit trees, ornamental shrubs and roses, etc., may be planted from June onward throughout the W’inter months. Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, loganberries and guavas can be obtained at any time during their dormant state. The sooner the deciduous berries are planted the better. Orange and lemon trees can now be shifted. Plant in a warm, sheltered position if possible. Those gardens that are bleak and exposed might do well to wait until August when the worst of winter will be over. Start winter spraying. Red oil is a splendid winter dressing for all trees, penetrating into the bark and killing germs that are not visible. Ornamental and flowering shrubs should be carefully selected. The variety to choose from is large and often the wrong shrubs are planted in unsuitable spots.