THE WEEK'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 25

THE WEEK'S WORK.

| THE FLOWER GARDEN. \ 5 Where frosts have cut the Dahlias the tops can be cut down to about 6 a foot from the ground. Lift the tubers and allow them to i X stand on the surface for a few days to dry before storing them. t X Rose and shrub planting can be done at any time now. The earlier i g the planting is done the better. * ft Old Rose bushes that have been in the same position for several ft years can aften be renovated and given a new lease of life by i g lifting them, adding some new soil and manure and then | ft replanting. .j ft Clear away any spent plants on the borders so as to give as good * g appearance as possible to the garden at this time of the year. ft Chrysanthemums, as they have finished flowering, should be cut i g down lo within six inches of the ground. Clear away and * g burn all the rubbish. J ft Tree and shrub planting car. be done. If the plants have not arrived J g prepare the ground by deep digging, but do not leave the holes | ft open. If left open and heavy rain comes they fill and often take i, g a long time to dry again. 3 ft Clip all hedges, except Macrocarpa and other conifers. Clear all J c> weeds and rubbish away from under the hedge so as to give J g no quarter to slugs and other pests. > ft Gather up fallen leaves, and put them in a pit or stack them in a i g heap. A little soil scattered on each layer-will prevent the leaves J ft from blowing about. Where Icafmould is not required the leaves 2 ft can be dug into the ground at once. i g Hand weed such things as Anemones, Ranunculi and other small | S bulbs. Where the Daffodils arc showing through the ground the £ ft hoe can be used. J | THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 5 1 Keep the ground clear and the surface loose between any growing S ft crops. It has been ideal weather for working the ground, and £ g one cannot expect it to last too long, so that every advantage a £ should be taken. ? n Cabbages and Cauliflowers that are well established should be earthed 5 J: up as they grow. A little nitrate of soda scattered on the soil 5 ft before earthing will help the plants. 5 g Make sowings of Lettuce and Radish. Select a well drained position ? ft with rich soil. Protection from slugs must be given at this time ■? ft of the year. $ X Prepare Potato sets for early planting by standing them in boxes, in £ ft a light position, to sprout. The ground must be well prepared 5 ft for this crop, and no opportunity should be lost of working the ? a Vacant plots should be dug over and sown with a crop of Oats or 5 £ Mustard for digging in later on. ? 2 Seedling crops of Onions, etc., must be carefully attended to. Weeds 5 ~ pulled out whilst the weather is favourable will save a lot of 5 ft trouble later on; in fact, careful weeding now may save the 5 ft crops. ( 5 g The pruning of Poaches, etc., can be commenced as soon as the r. g majority of the leaves have fallen. J ft Root pruning, if it is to be done, should be commenced early, So that 5 ;:!' the cut roots have a chance to heal whilst the ground is still * o. warm. 5 g Bush fruits, such as Currants, Raspberries, Gooseberries, Logan- i jj berries, should be planted early if good success is expected. * ft Cuttings of any of these should be put in now. With our mild $ g winter, to have any success with these small fruits, very early i ft planting is required. J ft' . Strawberry planting should commence as soon as possible. The -J 0 ground should be ready, and the manure (bonedust) scattered < a along the rows and lightly raked in. |