GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 3 December 1952, Page 6

GARDENS IN TAUPO

SEASONABLE WORK

(By

"Flora.")

With the recent spell of cold weather our thoughts turn each night to the risk of frost. But up to the fime of writing we have escaped. By this time of the year they are serious indeed. Most of the tender vegetables are too large to be adequality covered. Planting in the vegetable garden should be well advanced. Get in the main crops of carrots, parsnips and tx>tatoes so that they may be well established before the dry weather .sets in. Peas, beans and lettuce and sweet corn can still be sown. The latter is a great favourite; but unfortun•ately it requires a rather large area oi ground, and conditions which ensure rapid growth, that it may mature before late autumn. Sow in biocks rather fchan in rows to avoid damage from strong winds. It requires a moisture holding soil, leafmould rather than too much animal manure is to be preferred, as the latter induces the growth of foliage, rather than heads of corn. Sow small quantities of brusselsproufc, broccoli, savoy cabbage and leek seeds for planting out during December and January. If space allows prepare the ground for these vegetables. They are hungry customers, and will be growing for long period, providing you with food at & time, when the supply of fresh greens is at a premium. Remove the -laterals from tomato plants, and tie as required. The Flower Garden. Continue the planting of all annual seedlings. The following few will give a bright show later on: Petunias, Phlox drummondi, SalpigJossis, Schizanthus, Livingstone Daisies, Bonfire Salvias, Cosmos, Asters, French and African Marigolds and Zinnias. Firm the ground before planting. Should the soil be dry immediately before setting out, it (should receive a gcfud soaking of water, and be left for some hours to ^Llow the surface to dry sufficiently, so that it is possible to work it without it being sticky. If possible, choose for the planting, a dull day, when there is little wind. With a trowel make a hole deep and wide ?enough to take the roots without their being squeezed into place. Press the soil firmlv round the roots, but do not force the crown of the plant below the general surface ievel. To settle the soil more firmly, and to enable the plants to recover quickly from the check they have received in transplanting; each plant should have a good watering immediately the bed has been planted. Pruning of 'Shrubs. . As the spring flowering shrubs pass out of bloom they should be iightly pruned, even if it only consists of the removal of the dead heads. The hybrid brooms require this attention; the growths that have. flowered should be cut back to within an inch or two of the old woodl The evergreen ceanothuses ani prostantheras should be treated similarly. Should the lilac be getting out of hand you may prune if oack immediately after flowering. Most hedges should be making rapid growth now, and the first trimming of the season can be attended to. Finally, keep the top inch of soil loose round all growing crops; this .allows pre access of air, very neces&&vy for plants, and it also acts as a vsbght mulch against a too great a transpiration during a dry period.