Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1940, Page 9

Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables

WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. , Where the soil is congenial plant cabbage and cauliflowers. A few early potatoes may be planted where the soil is well drained and warm. Parsnips are an important crop; where the soil is workable get these on the way. The Student and Hollow-Crown are two reliable varieties. Procure fresh seed, as old seed will not germinate freely. Sow second early peas. Greenfeast and Defiance are two reliable croppers. Sow onions, beetroot, carrots, early turnips, and parsley. Sow broad beans, lettuce, also summer spinach. Prepare'now for autumn and winter crops by sowing Brussels sprouts, savoys, winter cabbage, broccoli, and red cabbage. Sow mustard, cress, and radish for salads. Plant artichokes, rhubarb, thyme, and sage. There is still plenty of time to plant asparagus; two-year plants give best results. There is always a demand for well-grown parsley. Seed may now be sown in drills. Make these a quarter of an inch deep. Autumn-sown onions should be thinned out. Dust a little superphosphate along the rows and hoe in. Sow celery and leek seeds Ito provide plants for autumn and winter use. FLOWER GARDEN. As soon as the soil is workable sow hardy annuals in the borders where they are to bloom. Plant antirrhinums, pansies, polyanthus, penstemons, stocks, nemesia, Iceland poppies, lupins, and hollyhocks. Autumn-sown sweet peas should have the spindly growths removed. Keep the soil well cultivated. If sweet peas are sown now, they will .be effective during the summer months. Wistaria is one of the best climbing plants for covering pergolas, arches, and fences. It is hardy, free flowering, and is a vigorous , grower. Wistaria may be planted for some time yet. Plant gladioli. If planted for garden effect these are best placed in groups. Allow six inches between each corm and place them about three inches deep. FRUIT GARDEN. Where the birds strip the blooms from fruit trees, spray with a weak solution of tar disinfectant. ’ Aphis will soon .be making an appearance on the fruit trees, especially peaches and nectarines; spray with insecticide (as soon as detected. Unwanted sucker growths of raspberries should be pulled out, not cut off with the hoe. A good dusting of fold soot between the strawberry plants will compel the slugs and millipedes to seek fresh quarters before the fruit forms.