HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 November 1939, Page 8

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES

WORK FOR THE WEEK

VEGETABLE GARDEN,

Keep the ground well stirred between the rows of potatoes and other crops. Sow parsley at once where existing plants have commenced to run to seed. Gather herbs for drying purposes before the flowers open. Dry in an airy position, but not in full sun. Stake runner beans as soon as they commence to climb. Plant out pumpkins, marrows, melons and cucumbers, but beware of frosts until the snow on the Tararuas has gone. Sow spinach and lettuce between the rows of peas to make the most of the available ground. Spray the potatoes with Bordeaux as a protection against blight. Keep the hoe going among the vegetable crops, especially after rain. A sowing of Globe beet and Little Marvel carrots should be made. Make a late sowing of tomatoes for autumn fruiting. Stake those already growing. Make a sowing of leeks, and where plants are ready they may be planted in deep drills or trenches. Sow onions, lettuce and mustard and cress for summer salads. Continue the’sowings of French and butter beans at intervals. Attend to the staking of peas before the vines fall over.

FRUIT GARDEN. Thin out the fruits of peaches and where there is a heavy crop. Spray the trees with lime sulphur I—l2o1 —120 to check brown rot. Spray applies and pears with arsenate of lead—one ounce to two gallons of water—to check codlin moth. Keep the surface soil around the trees loose and clean of weeds. This is a good time to plant passion fruit plants. One or two waterings may be required ,if weather is dry. Grow them against a wall or side of house away from the cold wind, and beware of Masterton frosts. Spray or dust raspberries and currants with derris to control insects. Plant out the main crop of tomatoes and cape gooseberries. Outdoor vines should have the growth trained in a proper manner and not allowed to become a tangle of growths. i Aphis may be expected on peach and cherry trees; take control measures in good time. Attend to the thinning of grapes under glass soon after they have set. Spray the apples for codlin moth when most of the petals have fallen. Thin out the crops of stone fruits where the set has been too heavy. The strawberry bed will need copious’supplies of water should a dry spell occur.

FLOWER GARDEN. Tie in creepers and climbers before the growths become tangled. Sweet peas grow fast now and constant attention is needed in tying and disbuddjng. Seeds of most hardy perennials can be sown now in a cool position. Choice varieties of aubretia can now be increased by means of cuttings. Remove the spring flowering plants that have finished their season. Complete sowing and planting of tender annuals. Thin out and prune where necessary azaleas that have done flowering. Mulch and stir the surface of the soil around the plants to encourage fresh growth. Stake and secure the stems of border carnations. Stir the soil about the plants. Plant out chrysanthemums and dahlias raised from cuttings. Stake the tall growing plants in the borders before they fall over. Gladioli require feeding when the flower bud can be felt low down in the sheath. Spray to keep down insects and mildew on roses. Watch for suckers on roses and and remove them at once. Tie up the new, long growths of climbing roses. Copious supplies of clean water, followed by a plentiful supply of liquid manure will be of great benefit to roses in bloom. Pinch out the tips of the chrysanthemums grown for decorative or garden purposes to cause the plants to produce side shoots. Dahlias can be planted. This is a good time to sow dahlia seed. Save the lawn mowings and use them for mulching in the vegetable garden. Prepare beds for'planting out young plants of perpetual flowering carnations. Well-drained and raised beds are necessary.