THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 998, 14 June 1930, Page 30

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

AMONG THE FLOWERS JUNE JOBS.—June is the slackest month of the year in the flower garden and the gardeners principal work should be preparing ground for spring displays. Other jobs, such as pruning back roses, shrubs, straightening borders, repairing broken tools, etc., that have accumulated during the summer and autumn months, should be attended to. PREPARING GROUND.—AII weeds should be cleared away before digging over vacant land. Plenty of well-rotted manure should be incorporated with the soil. This will have plenty of time to settle down before planting time arrives. Sour soils mean bad drainage. This is the time to rectify it. GROWING BULBS.—Keep the soil well stirred round the growanemones and ranunculus. Any signs of mildew among these may be checked by dusting sulphur over the foliage. Keep the daffodil borders free from weed growth. Bulbs of gladioli, liliums and iris may be set at once for summer flowering.

SEED SOWlNG.—Outdoor seed sowing will be of little use as the growth is too slow. Sow only in seed boxes in warm corners of glass frames. The following varieties may be now set: —Iceland poppies, pansy, stocks, cineraria, nemesia, carnations, calliopsis, larkspur and cornflower. ROSES .—New plants may be set from now till August. In very cold and frosty districts the planting, also pruning, may be left until nearer the end of the season; but gardeners would be wise to reserve their requirements in case of stocks selling out. Under normal conditions, roses may now be cut back, removing all dead wood and unnecessary growth.

CLIMBERS .—Now is a good time to plant all creeping plants. Most subjects may be procured in pots and so may be shifted with safety. For covering pergolas and verandahs, the following are useful: Tacsonia, climbing roses, solanum, cobea, akebia and kennedya. For covering old fences and tree stumps, bougainvillea, dolichos and bignonia. AMONG THE VEGETABLES VACANT GROUND.—At this time of the year large patches of kitchen garden ground are lying idle. This is not right as weeds will only grow if nothing is planted. Oats, lupins or mustard may be sown broadcast for digging in later as manure. This makes excellent humus when well rotted and enriches the ground for further crops. SMALL FRUITS.—In the kitchen garden there is often plenty of room for the cultivation of small fruits such as strawberries, gooseberries, currants, etc. Purple or yellow guavas may be used as a dwarf fruiting hedge, being both ornamental and useful. All these plants may be set at once.

SEEDS TO SET.—Growers wishing to produce early tomatoes may start any time now sowing the seed under cover or in glasshouses. Small sowings of cabbage, lettuce and cauliflower may be made in boxes and transplanted later when large enough to handle. Keep the hoe busy along the rows of established plants, shifting the soil so that the sun may quickly penetrate through the soil. THINGS TO PLANT.—Rhubarb roots may now be set in a bed of rich manure. Asparagus roots, three-year-old, should be planted at once. Last year’s beds should be manured. Potato onions, tree onions, garlic and shallots should be set at once. Onion seedlings that are large enough may be shifted, although there is plenty of time. See that the rows are kept clean from weeds.

PRUNING.—The orchard trees may now receive their winter pruning. All dead wood should be removed and surplus centre growth. Be sure your secateurs are sharp and clean, otherwise the bark may be badly bruised. When cutting, always remove to the outside bud. Remove the grass and weeds from round the trunk of the trees.

SPRAYING.—Lemon trees may be sprayed with red oil to eradicate any signs of smut or scale. Peaches, nectarines, etc., should be carefullj r looked over and winter sprayed to kill any dormant disease lying in the bark.