PLANTING OUT SEEDLINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 237, 7 October 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

PLANTING OUT SEEDLINGS.

This is the busiest time of the year an bedding out the different varieties of annuals and biennials. The more tender varieties, such as celosias, portulaccas, and salpiglossis, should be kept back -till next, month. Before planting out, see that the soil is firm anc! in good ■working order. To have to plant in a s=')il largely unade up of hard lumps of foil and half-rotted weeds is a tiresome *iob and often accounts for many failiues. In the garden it is often necessary to do a job just when everything is not quite right, but at the same time with care and forethought many jobs could ilia made more successful. Young seedlings aro naturally tender, and there aic many pests waiting to them -that for a few days after planting it necessarv to give them a little extia attention. If weather is sunny and dry, fi little water and a little shade during the day may bo an advantage. If a cold wind springs up, a little shelter 3-1 lav make all the difference. A few short branches of macrocarpa, pinus, or tea-tree will often bo sufficient to save ■the plants. The soil around the plants should bo kept loose, and this will keep plu"-s at bay —they do not enjoy travelling over* loose, bare ground.'Above sll, do not start to feed the plants with manure until tliey have made sufficient Toots to bo ablo to absorb it. It is not unknown for gardeners to plant one d.a\ :i.ncl to commence feeding the plants with liquid manure the next day, under the miistaken idea that the manuro will make the plants grow .faster. The result is ■that tlie plants are poisoned, and the •failure put down to the seedsman or manuro merchant.