HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 August 1939, Page 3

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Do not forget that most vegetables respond to deep digging and the addition of manure, either animal or'chemical. Lime should not be given with these manures. Prepare new esparagus beds if not already under way. Good drainage, a sandy, friable soil and plenty or room to each plant are the essentials. Sow parsnips at once; these must be sown early to be of full value. Sow peas, and earth up and put sticks to those already up. Blue Bantam, Little Marvel and Greenfeast are good early peas to sow. Sow asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and leeks. Earth up potatoes that are showing above ground. Dig-in green manuring crops to allow time for decomposition (before using the ground. Take advantage of fine days to break up the soil that has been rough dug for winter Now Is the best time to sow seakale formext winter supply. New beds made for rhubarb should be deeply dug and well manured. FLOWER GARDEN. Ftose pruning should now be completed ‘and the beds forked over and manured. Stir the soil frequently between anemones and ranunculus, especially after heavy rains, Lawns should have attention; removing large weeds, also topdressing. With improved weather any vacancies in the flower beds should be made good. Clean up any untidy corners and get the beds and borders clean. Rock gardens should be overhauled arid fresh compost applied to the mat and cushion-forming kinds. Ivy growing on walls should be clipped and all the leaves removed. Early flowering spring shrubs should be pruned directly after flowering. Increase hardy perennials by division if not attended to in the autumn. Plant out sweet peas raised in pots or boxes for later summer flower. FRUIT GARDEN. Prune the citrus trees when the crop has been removed; also attend to the manuring. Vines under glass should have a humid temperature when starting into growth. Increase the temperature gradually. Early tomatoes under glass should have a drier atmosphere when coming into flower. When the sap is rising graft any fruit trees that are required. Apply the Bordeaux spray for leaf curl of peaches at the first sign of bud movement. Some protection may need to be afforded to the early-flowering kinds of fruit trees in the event of frost.