IN THE GARDEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1939, Page 2

IN THE GARDEN

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Pinch the shoots of marrows and pumpkins when six good leaves have been made. Another sowing of runner beans should be made for a later supply. Sow peas for succession. Greanfeast,, Stratagem. Little Gem, Marvel or Blue Bantam. Make successional sowing of dwarf and runner beans. Plant tomatoes, marrows, cucumbers, pumpkins, pie melons, Earth up and spray potatoes as they are ready. Sow cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and Savoy. Most kitchen vegetables can still be sown. Spray celery plants with insecticide, or dust with old soot, to keep away the fly which breeds the leaf-mining maggot. Thin out the rows of root crops, but see that the plants left are firm in the soil. FLOWER GARDEN. Prune early flowering shrubs as they pass out of bloom. Remove dead blooms of rhododendrons to prevent seed pods forming. • Disbud border carnations moderately. Winter sweet peas need their blooms cut as fast as they fade. Give liquid manure to carnations, roses, sweet peas. The young growths of creepers will need tying into position before they become an entangled mass. All the popular bedding plants for summer display may now be planted with safety. Spray roses for aphis and mildew. Continue planting of bedding plants. Plant zinnias, asters, sunflowers and other annuals. Plant chrysanthemums and dahlias. Sow polyanthus, pansy, Iceland poppy, asters and zinnias. Shrubs which bloom in early spring and summer may be pruned when the flowers have faded. Sow seeds of hardy biennials and perennials on a sheltered border. Grass plants need stimulants as much as the occupants of the flower borders; an application of lawn fertiliser will be beneficial. FRUIT GARDEN. Mulch newly planted fruit trees. Spray apples and pears for codlin moth as the petals drop. Use arsenate of lead for codlin moth and lime sulhpur for apple mildew. Keep soil under trees free from weeds. Give rhubarb a top-dressing of rotten manure if possible. Leaf-eating caterpillars should be combated with a poison spray such as arsenate of lead. The roots of fruit trees growing against walls and fences often become dry; give a good soaking of water. If young fruit trees are allowed to bear heavy crops in the first season, they will receive a severe setback; thin heavily. Examine grafted trees and, where new growth is being made, the covering can be removed and the ties loosened. Dust or spray the raspberries and loganberries as soon as the blossom buds show white, but are not upen. Use derrisdust.'