THE WEEK'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 279, 24 November 1928, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. The best mulch is two inches of loose soil. The hoe and a little labour will apply it to any ground. The planting of Violets should be done as soon as possible. The planting of Dahlias can be done any time now. Do not plant too early if the blooms are required for the autumn shows. December is quite soon enough. Vacant beds can be filled with summer flowering plants. Zinnias, Celosias, Cockscombs, Salvias, and Petunias are amongst the varieties that can be planted now. The Asters should have the soil stirred round them, so as to retain a good dust mulch. A lot of unnecessary watering would be saved and the plants benefit if the hoe was used more freely. Watering may be necessary at times, but it is not altogether an unmixed blessing, as it washes out of the soil a lot of soluble plant food, and also causes the soil to " pack." Begonias can be bedded out. Thesa are not used so much as formerly, probably owing to the decline of the " bedding out" system. Planted in a suitable soil, and where ample supplies of water are available, they make a very fine display during the summer and autumn. When planting out during dry weather make the soil as fine as possible. Either draw drills or make the hole and water them before planting. Plant as soon as the water has soaked away, and draw some fine dry soil round the plant. A few branches of Pine stuck in the ground to give a little shade to plants freshly put out will be of great assistance in giving them a start. When planting, try and give the plant a position suitable. Geraniums, Salvias, Petunias, Portulaccas, Celosias like the sun and plenty of it. Begonias, Pansies, Verbenas, Phlox Drummondii like a little shade. Polyanthus, Primroses, Violets will do in almost dense shade. Chrysanthemums can be planted now. No time should be lost, as the quality of the blooms will largely depend on the roots made from now on. Many of the perennials and spring flowering plants, such as Canterbury Bells, Sweet Williams, Wallflowers, Alyssum can be sown now. &s>••"•■&s>■—•&s>•>—<&& THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. The most important work just now is keeping the surface loose and friable. Salad plants need a little extra care if they are to be successful for the next few weeks. Well manured ground is essential. Sow a little seed every week or ten days. Sow thinly and avoid transplanting. Cucumbers, Marrow, Pumpkins, Melons can be sown. Early sown plants should be secured to prevent winds twisting them about. Where more than one seed has germinated in one place thm out the plants to one. Prepare trenches for Celery. A row or so of early plants can be put out. A pinch of seed can be sown to provide late plants. Beans, both runner and dwarf varieties, can be sown to meet requirements. Peas can be sown on deeply worked soils. On shallow soils they do not succeed during the hot weather. The plants crop promaturely and give very small returns. A sowing of Onions for salading can be made. The main crop Onion bed should have a loose surface. An application of nitrate of soda, soot, or Hood and bone will help to keep the plants growing. r r Kumaras can be planted. These require a loose friable soil free from Jumps. Too rich a soil is inclined to cause an excess of leaf, fotash is necessary, and a dressing of sulphate of potash at the better cro" ° UnCe '° ****** 7Ud "'" assist in Providing a RUnn !nl!r 1 M rai " ed J in . b r? eS ° r pots and the transplanted. A sowing made ,n December will give a good autumn Thin „ 0 0 U f t B Pa , rßn T S ' Turn 'P s ' et «=- .Growth is now rapid, and there is not « surplus supply of moisture in the soil, therefore get rid of all except the permanent plants as quickly as possible