IN THE GARDEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1939, Page 9

IN THE GARDEN

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Seeds will be quickly through the ground with the rains; take the first opportunity to hoe through the drills. Make plentiful sowings of broad beans; an application of potash to the soil will render the crop less liable to rust. Plant tree onions and make further sowings of onions for transplanting. Where the soil is in need of lime, now is a good time to apply a good dressing. Soil infested with pests should be treated with a good soil fumigant. Rhubarb may now be planted. In favoured positions sow a few rows of early peas. The site should • be well drained. Plant outjCabbage and Cauliflower for spring supplies. Hoe between and mould up the earlier crops. Clean weeds from asparagus beds and give a good dressing of fertiliser or manure. Prepare the site for main crop onions by trenching deeply; an application of basic slag will be useful. Little can Joe done in the way of sowing, but prepare all possible ground by digging deeply for the season to come. Lupins and oats can be sown on vacant plots to dig in as green manure. FLOWER GARDEN. When the soil is dry enough, plant out annuals for spring flowering in th 6 beds and borders. Stocks, Iceland poppies, primula, calendula, violas, pansies, aubretia, arabis and sweet peas may be planted now. Weed and fork .lightly between bulbs. Keep the hoe going between anemones and ranunculi, as they like plenty of cultivation. Plant out ornamental and evergreen trees and shrubs and do any other transplanting required. Cut down dahlias and chrysanthemums that have finished their season. Lift and store dahlia Toots when ripened. Lawns on heavy land are improved by a dressing of sharp sand; first prick the turf over wit'll a fork. Make good garden paths that have become worn and need resurfacing. Sweet peas coming through the soil should be protected from slugs and birds. The condition of the soil will now permit the arrears of planting to be completed for spring display. Roses may be planted from now on, but see that the beds are well prepared in the first instance by providing good drainage. Iceland poppy beds should have the weeds removed and the soil lightly stirred to prevent caking after rain. Clean up the herbaceous borders; some of the plants will need a dressing of lime, FRUIT GARDEN. Cuttings of bush fruits inserted last season can now be lifted and planted in permanent positions. Make new plantations of strawberries ns soon as the plants are available. The planting of citrus trees should be undertaken before the soil becomes too wet and cold. Stone fruit trees should have an application of lime at least every two years. A frequent examination of the stored fruit will enable decaying specimens to be removed; these soon contaminate others. Pruning of fruit trees can start as soon as the leaf has fallen. Begin with stone fruits, as they are the first to bloom. After gooseberries and currants are pruned, dig in a good dressing of manu re. Do not dig between raspberries and loganberries, as they are shallow rooted. Apply manure as a top-dressing.