IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23587, 14 March 1942, Page 2

IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK (speciai.lt written for the press.) [By W. J. HUMM.I VEGETABLES The principal work to be done now is to keep the garden tidy. Leaving decaying cabbage leaves and the residue of crops lying about the garden only harbours plant pests. Lift and store potatoes as soon as the tops die down. Lift onions as soon as they have completed their growth. Dry well before storing. Now is the time to sow onions and lettuce to stand through the winter. Make a sowing of carrots and perpetual spinach. Sow all vegetables grown for salads. Cut and store marrows and pumpkins. Do not forget the winter rhubarb. A few applications of liquid manure will make all the difference to this crop. Discontinue the cutting of summer rhubarb. Lift and store carrots and turnip-root beet if they have come to maturity. Do not cut the tops off asparagus until it has turned yellow. Make sowings of cabbage and cauliflower to provide plants to come in for late winter and spring use. Silver beet is a useful winter vegetable; sow this now. Cuttings of sage and thyme if put in now will strike freely. Earth up celery gradually. Take care not to cover the middle growth. Both leeks and celery should be given water during periods qf dry weather. Dust members of the cabbage family with derndust to check the grubs of the white butterfly and those of the diamondback moth. FLOWERS The continued dry weather calls for attention to the watering of such subjects as rhododendrons, azaleas, boronias, daphne, and all those plants grown for their berry or fruit effect. Continue to plant daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, ranunculus, anemones, grape hyacinths, arfd Spanish and English iris. Spray all wallflower plants with arsenate of lead to destroy all Icafeating grubs. Spray roses to combat mildew. Give the whole garden a good tidy up. Remove all spent blooms and stake up perennials when needed. It is quite a good time now to take cuttings of perennials. If they need it, peony roses may be transplanted now. Brompton and East Lothian stocks may be planted now. If you want sweet pea flowers early next season get the seed sown as soon as possible. Those desiring to. make a display of hollyhocks next season should get the plants in this autumn. Prepare ground to plant out roses, shrubs, and ornamental trees. GLASSHOUSE Now the days are shortening and the sun is losing its strength, both ventilation and watering will require careful attention. Reduce the shading and give plenty of air on all suitable occasions. It will soon be time to bring the winter flowering subjects inside. Before doing so give the house a good clean up. Limewash the walls and spray with a disinfectant on and under the benches. This will sweeten the house and drive away both insect and fungus pests. Tuberous begonias may have their flowering period prolonged by giving liquid manure at intervals. Those past flowering should be stood outside to ripen off. Cinerarias will need attention now. Pot these before the young plants become root bound Spray with arsenate of lead to control leaf eating grubs. Pot up bulbs for early flowers. Hyacinths, narcissus, tulips, freesias, and lachenalias are all suitable for this put - pose, Make cuttings of geraniums, pelargoniums and coleus. Pot on hybrid calceolarias and give these cool quarters. Sow schizanthus. These do best when raised outside in a frame. It is a mistake to give these hardy annuals artificial heat at present. . FRUIT ■Plant strawberries. Rake up and burn all fallen fruit foliage from under the trees. These are sure to be affected With blight. Spray fruit that l ® affected with brown rot with colloidal sulphur. If the dry weather .continues, water all trees carrying heavy crops of fruit. Giving fruit trees blood and bone manure now will assist the plants to develop fruit spurs. On these will be born next season’s crop. BULBS IN FIBRE A charming effect may be produced in early spring by growing such'subjects as hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, and lachenalias in fancy pots and other receptacles. Bulb fibre is a specially prepared mixture and may be procured at any horticultural store. This mixture may be used in pots with or without drainage. It is suitable to all classes of bulbs and will remain sweet, and can be depended on not to give off an offensive odour when the bulbs are subject to water when brought into the dwelling house. Growing bulbs in fibre is quite simple. Fill the receptacle up to within a little below the rim, and plant the bulbs in the same manner as is done with using soil—that is, cover the bulbs with the fibre, allowing them enough room to develop both foliage and flowers. The most important item in their culture is to encourage the bulbs to produce roots, and this can only be done by potting them now and placing them in a cool position outside. Cover the pots with damp sand or sawdust. In this position they should remain till top growths start. Keep them moist, but not too wet. This will encourage the bottom growth. When this takes place water may be given more freely. When the top growth starts the pot may be taken inside and placed where the bulbs can get plenty of light and air. As the flowers develop place them in a sunny window. Fibre may also be used for forcing bulbs for glasshouse decorations. SHRUBS Autumn flowering shrubs are limited in number, and because any shrubs flowering at present have special garden value. Escallonia mqntevidensis is beginning to bloom. It is an evergreen, and when fully matured will reach 12ft in height. Its large white cormbys of flowers are borne in great profusion. These are sweetly scented. Corinella cmerus is also in full flower. This shrub is most generous with its yellow, pea shaped flowers. It grows •to about Bft in height, and will do well in dry. sandy soils.