HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 November 1939, Page 2

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Sow cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli for autumn and winter supply. Plant out the main crop of celery in well-manured ground. Lettuce is best sown in drills and thinned out from now on. Pinch out tops of broad beans when the plants are in full flower. Give the stem a vigorous shake to scatter the pollen. Do not allow self-sown seedlings to remain on the surface of the asparagus bed. Sow peas and French beans for successional crops. Thin out the root crops and take precautions against carrot fly. Leeks and celery can be planted out on prepared ground or in trenches. Plant out late cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli for winter use. Winter greens can be planted in the furrow between the rows of potatoes. Keep the onion beds clear of weeds by constant hoeing and keep a watch for any sign of mildew. Cucumbers, marrows and pumpkins need shading from sun for a few days after planting cut. Thin out seedling crops as soon as ready. Dust turnip or cabbage plants that show signs of aphis or caterpillars with Derris in one form or other. FRUIT GARDEN. Tie in growths of vines as necessary. Stop the laterals at two leaves beyond the bunch and break out any weak lateral growths. Sucker growths appearing at the roots of trees should be removed. Thin out an excessive heavy crops of stone fruit. Spray with arsenate of lead for codlin moth or plum leach; with lime sulphur solution or wettable sulphur for brown rot or “scab.” As soon as the blossom falls from the apples, apply the arsenate of lead spray for codlin moth. Where black spot is troublesome, lime sulphur will be needed at one in 80. Strawberries swelling their fruit will .need copious supplies of water during dry spells. Plant out cape gooseberries in rows four feet apart. Spray the tomato plants with arsenate of lead as a protection against the stem borer. Vines will need attention to 'stopping and training; also remove the surplus bunches, as overcropping is a great mistake. FLOWER GARDEN. Plant out asters, zinnias, celosias and other tender or half-hardy subjects. Prepare a bed and sow seeds of hardy perennials; they should flower next season. Canterbury Bells, Sweet Williams and Aquilegias can all be sown now for next season’s flowering. The thinning and staking of plants in the herbaceous border should be attended to before the growths fall over. Insert cuttings of special varieties of pinks it is desired to perpetuate. Many of the spring-flowering plants are past their best and should be replaced by summer-flowering subjects. Once the foliage of bulbs has yellowed the bulbs can be lifted. Plant dahlias and chrysanthemums. If the weather is sunny a little shade is advisable for a day or so after planting. Tie in the growths of rambler roses. Spray for aphis. Remove dead blooms and seed pods of rhododendrons and azaleas. Beds of early-flowering heaths should have the dead blooms clipped off. Roses should be watched for mildew and prompt measures taken.