IN THE GARDEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1939, Page 3

IN THE GARDEN

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Saw asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce. Plant out cabbage and cauliflower from earlier sowings. The digging of vacant land should be pushed on as fast as possible. Successional sowing of peas and spinach should be made. A sowing of Model carrots and Globe beetroot should also be made. The ground'is still .very wet, but every chance should be taken, to get the hoe among the crops. Plant out an early crop, of leeks as soon as the plants are available. Make a sowing of seakale for next winter's supply and plant out thongs saved from the old roots. Dig in any green manuring crops still occupying the ground. This will allow of idecom posit ion before planting. Complete the planting of autumn-sown onions as soon as possible and make another sowing for pulling green for salads. FRUIT GARDEN. Vines under glass should have a humid temperature to encourage the eyes to start into growth. Early tomatoes coming into flower under glass will need a drier atmosphere to assist the setting of fruit. Make a sowing of cape gooseberries under glass for later planting. Recently planted; treses will need attention, with an occasional watering if weather should prove dry. Citrus trees can be pruned as soon as the soil is right. Remove low-hanging branches of citrus trees as a precaution against brown rot Any planting that Is waiting should be done as soon as possible. • The earliest fruit trees will soon be showing blossom, and it is then that an application of nitrogen will do good in assisting the setting of fruit. Pruning, should be completed and all the prunings cleared up; it is best to destroy these by fire. Citrus trees will transplant'now better than in the cold, wet weather of winter. , FLOWER GARDEN. Rock gardens should receive attention. Prick over the soil in the pockets and replace the winter losses. A top-dressing of a gritty compost will improve many of the rock plants. Hardy perennials can still be increased by division if this has not already been attended to. Narcissus coming into flower should be watched for slugs and snails. A piece of cotton wool tied on the stem will save special blooms. Renovate patchy lawns by sowing more seed, with a sprinkling of rich soil well brushed in. Topdress'lawns with fertiliser; remove large weeds and make good any. bare places. Michaelmas daisies will give better results if small pieces are planted. Sweet peas growing now need attention. Some of the weak growths will need cutting away. A sowing of sweet peas may be made now. These will give late blooms. Chrysanthemum cuttings can be taken at any time now. This season has not been so far a good one for cuttings. ; Carnation beds should be gone over and the plants cleaned of any bad foliage and the beds hoed. Any carnation planting that is to be done should be done as soon as possible. Cut hedges, clean up paths and get them in trim for the season. It is not too late to plant roses, but they should be got in without delay. Do not allow the soil to become caked after heavy rains, more especially between the spring-flowering plants. If new lawns are to be sown, get the site prepared at once.