Practical Gardening by Dianthus

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 162, 10 July 1926, Page 24

Practical Gardening by Dianthus

-- ■ ■ i — ii— Correspondents will greatly oblige Dy observing the rollowing rules In sending questions for publication Id these columns:— „. . *—Letters should be in not later '.nan Tuesday to be answered the same week— addressed to Garden Editor. -Star" Office Auckland. ooßßuMe Wllt * ° D ° ne Bide Of the paper - and make all communication* ac concise ac i>n n L- 3 T^ lowers, etc -- sen ' for naming must be sent separately, and, if possible tranlii ID -. a tiD or wooden box cardboard boxes are very liable to be Iroten in transit and the contents damaped _.„ *" The tun name and address ot the sender must always be sent, but a norn d» mf or 'Ditial may be civeD for publication ********* I THE WEEK'S WORK ! I % * * * THE FLOWER GARDEN. * Seeds of Antirrhinums and Pentstemons can be sown in boxes. This % * sowing will produce plants for planting out in early summer, * sf: and flower during autumn. Do not over water the seed box, J * and shade during sunny periods to prevent the surface drying. * J When the soil is not too wet young plants of Antirrhinums, Pent- * ■f stemons, Delphiniums and other autumn sown seedlings can be planted. * :;; Rose planting should be pushed on whenever the soil is in a * favourable condition. Beds for Roses should be deeply * ijj trenched if good results are expected. 'f. * -utting* of Geraniums root readily if planted firmly in sandy soil. % !|! These plants enjoy a dry, sunny position. Damp, wet soils are * He fatal to them. 4; * Where the thinning and training of Climbing Roses has not bee-- * % done during autumn, it should receive attention at once * ■\- Remove as much as possible of the old wood, filling in with the -£ $ young shoots of last season. Any defects in the supports of * :}: such Roses should be attended to. % * Climbing Roses against fences, walls, or as specimens on a lawn ;j: X should receive a good manuring. The best way is to remove * * some of the top soil, add a good layer of well-rotted manure % % and replace the soil. If stable manure is not available, giv * * a good dressing of bonedust, mixing it with the top soil. * 'lant new shrubs and trees. See that the ground is prepared as wei # * as possible. If the position is inclined to be damp do not plan * * deep. -k '£ Weeds should be kept down. In many cases hand picking will b * * necessary. Even where the hoe can be used it is necessary '•• Jjj H" gather up the weeds to prevent them growing again. * THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. | * io far as planting and sowing is concerned this is the off season; it i * * only in very favoured soils and positions that planting <•• * possible. . £ S \ few early potatoes can be planted in warm sheltered position. J * Gardens that are cold and wet will be better to wait for a timt * * before planting. , . j * 5; ti damp soils the best way to plant early potatoes js to lay the *ecd ;ic * on the ground and draw the soil over them. After earnings # % will give them enough soil to grow in. * % owing, of early Peas can be made. Sow shallow and draw soil up # * to cover them. Birds are particularly severe on the germinating * seeds at this time of the year, and prompt measures must be | * taken to keep them off. * % Clean up rubbish heaps and odd corners; slug* and snails breed in * :|: such place*. , ~ Hf * Trenching and digging is a good exercise on cold mornings, and Uie * % garden will be better for trenching and digging; such work never | :j= goes wrong. J I****************************************************