GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 29 May 1919, Page 42

GARDENING NOTES

.ji r* fj (\ 10 r* y r: ’ ■ r,; if t* » • ■ r \\ ■ ■ . (By Mr. J. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.)

WORK FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE. ‘ • . The s Kitchen Garden.—All - ground intended for cultivation •: should now n be well ; manured, and, when dug deft with a rough surface during the winter. The soil will ; be thus .benefited by the action of , frosts and rain ; (preparatory to the sowing of early spring crops. Clear away the past season’s growth from asparagus beds, and apply a good dressing of well decomposed stable manure. The winter rains will then wash the fertilising matter down to the roots of the plants. With regard to sowing and planting generally, only a limited amount is advisable at this period of the year. An early sowing of peas and broad beaus, in well prepared favorably .situated ground, may be ventured. A small quantity of cauliflower and cabbage may be sown, also a bed of lettuce, to come in early in the spring. The Flower Garden. —Continue digging the beds and borders, using a little manure where necessary. Separate clumps of herbaceous plants which appear too large, and replant in a vacant spot requiring to be filled up. Dig in all scattered leaves and dead vegetable’ matter, as these provide the plants with an active fertilising aid. The digging should be fairly rough, as at this season of the year it suits the soil better than if it were raked over smoothly. Dig up old stools ot dahlias, separate them, and replant where desired. This fine, showy flower deteriorates and eventually dies out if not attended to each season ; and small clumps give greater satisfaction. Now is the time to plant all trees and shrubs intended for the garden, it is also a suitable time to plant roses. When planting roses it is necessary to have them well pruned back. Newly planted trees cannot maintain a heavy growth of branches. When removing old rose trees from one position to another both the roots and branches require to be severely pruned, and if the soil is dry they should be well watered. Soil well mixed with farmyard manure is a requisite when preparing a rose plot. Where space allows for planting in clumps one color in each separate clump will produce the most effective display. Keep the lawn mown, and thoroughly roll often during the winter, especially after rain. Rolling is necessary to the life of a good grass lawn. Top dress, sowing down at the same time, all bare patches, and if there are any grubby patches rake the soil so that the grass grub may be destroyed, and leave for a few days before sowing down. •;r. The Fruit Garden. — Pruning must now be carried out as quickly as possible, root pruning, also, trees that are making too much growth. This latter process is effected by digging down about a yard from the tree, and, with a sharp spade, chopping off the roots half round the tree is sufficient for the first year. Clear away and burn all the primings, and when the work is complete attend to the spraying without delay.