THE MONTH’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1070, 6 September 1930, Page 28

THE MONTH’S WORK AT A GLANCE

'll IE FLOWER GARDEN WINTER HAS PASSED. —Spring, with her more congenial weather, sets the gardener thinking about reconstructing his flowerbeds and planning out schemes for a bright disiflay through the summer months. Gardeners must now get busy, for the work automatically brings health and happiness and sets a sure foundation for the cultivation of a joyous home and life. SEED SOWlNG. —During the month large sowings of seed should be made to ensure bright displays during summer and autumn months. The following can now safely be sown in the open ground: Clarkia, centurea, phlox, mignonette, Virginian stock French marigolds, dwarf aiyssum. linaria and liptosyne. DAHLIAS AND “MUMS." —Cuttings should be taken now of chrysanthemum plants for setting out in November. Secure good, stout tops about 4in long, cutting below a bud eye with a sharp knife. Dahlia tubers may be planted in boxes for striking new stpck. LAWN RENOVATION. —Spring is a good period for patching up the bare places in established lawns. One pound of seed will sow from 20 to 25 square yards. Rake thoroughly the bald places and top-dress with new soil, scattering the seed where required and covering with good soil. Roll well after sowing. Lawns that are full of annual weeds may be top-dressed with sulphate of ammonia, 2oz to a gallon. HARDY FLOWERS. —The following seeds may be set in boxes for transplanting when large enough to handle. Sow in sandy soil and keep well watered and sheltered until germinated: Salvia, petunia, African marigold, stock (10-week), phlox, portulacca, zinnia, kocliia, celosia, delphinium, gaillardia and pansy. ROSES. —Plants are now showing plenty of new growth, and a light spring pruning is sometimes advisable. Cut away all dead wood and remove unnecessary ingrowing growth. CLIMBERS. —New shoots of climbers should be tied securely to their trellis. Cut away some of the old wood as they flower profusely from the new growth. THE KITCHEN GARDEN INFLUENCE. —The vegetable garden is real man’s recreation in every sense of the word —void of all unclean, mean and evil influences which condemn many other so-called hobbies. The worker sees some results for his hard labour and the joy of'producing something is in us all. SPRAYlNG. —Nectarines and peaches breaking into leaf should be sprayed with a weak solution of Bordeaux Powder to prevent leaf curl. Apples, as soon as the blooms begin to wilt, should be sprayed with arsenate of.lead to prevent the codlin moth entering into the forming fruit. PLANTS AND TUBERS TO SET.— Young seedlings of cabbage, lettuce, beet and cauliflower may be planted out in all districts for summer and autumn use. Transplant on a dull day as the seedlings stand more chance of success if established when the weather is cool. Dust the ground with tobacco dust or lime to keep off the slugs and snails. Set now chokos, garlic, potatoes, early and maincrops. Transplant onions, set into ground well manured with potash, planting 9in apart. SEEDS TO SOW. —The following root crops may be sown now: Beet, carrot, parsnip, radish, turnips and swedes. Sow the seed thinly in rows and carefully thin out when large enough to handle. One packet of seed should do a small family for a whole season's sowing of succession crops, but the general tendency is to sow too thickly, and most of the seedlings are then wasted. SALAD CROPS. —With many warm weeks looming ahead the aim of the gardener should be to plant crops that are welcomed by the cook during this trying period. Lettuce, spinach, mustard and cross, beetroot, leeks, celery and tomatoes are all popular with cold meats.. Work the ground deeply, liming well and digging in plenty of rotted manure, which helps to the moisture during the dry spells.