IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 3

IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK [By W. J. HUMM.] VEGETABLES Hoe all crops frequently. Pay attention to thinning. Peas and beans should be staked as soon as they are large enough. Continue to plant main crops of potatoes. Use only sets that are free from disease. Supplies should be obtained from a strain that is known to be • free from disease. Sow the robust kinds of peas now, also dwarf and runner beans. Those that have come through the soil should be moulded up. Sow seeds of cabbage, cauliflower, savoys, and kale for planting later to supply greens for winter and spring supplies. Make sowings of onions, lettuce, radish, mustard and cress for salads. Sow a line of parsley. Parsley does well in an open position. Work the soil in a fine tilth. When the young plants are large enough thin out so that they stand 12 inches apart. Plant vegetable marrows, pumpkins, and cucumbers. To grow marrows to perfection for summer use there are two points to remember —grow them rapidly and cut them when they are about a foot long. During periods of dry weather marrows should be given plenty of root moisture. Marrows fruit much better if their leading growths are pinched out. Where space is limited grow bush marrows. These are compact growers and are prolific. Prepare the soil in readiness for planting out leeks. This crop requires plenty of good rich manure worked into the soil. Prepare trenches to receive the celery. Tomatoes may still be planted. Do not make the soil too rich for these. Celeriac, or turnip-rooted celery, should be present in all well-appointed vegetable gardens. This member of the celery has a large turnip-like root. This is the part that is used. Celeriac thrives best in a well-manlired soil. Plant in rows on the flat. Trenches are not needed. Allow 18 inches between the rows and 12 inches between each plant. Tli is crop does not require earthing up like celery- All that is required is keeping down weeds and giving liquid manure when the plants are well established. a Make a sowing of yellow-fleshed turnips, FLOWERS Plant out dahlias, chrysanthemums, and fuchsias. The last planting of gladioli should be made during this month. Those through the soil should be well hoed. Marguerite carnations should be planted now. Plant all classes of annuals. Salvia bonfire, zinnias, and heliotropes plant out well now. Perennials and biennials may be sown now, such as polyanthus, aquilegias, Canterbury bells, sweet william, pentstemons, heucherias. and pansies. The following three _ blue-flowered pentstemons are now in full flower and will remain so for some time:— Pentstemon hetrophyllus. azureus, and blue gem. Hemerocallis nuddendorfu is a yellow-flowered perennial that should be represented in all perennial collections. This plant is also effective when grown near water. Remove all seed pods from lilacs, azaleas, and rhododendrons. If these are left on they will rob the plant of much of its ■ vitality. FRUIT Continue to spray for the control of 1 the codlin moth grub. The best control ■ for this pest is arsenate of lead used 1 at the rate of loz to four gallons of water. For the control of brown' rot, mildew, and leaf curl use colloidal sul- ! phur and lime sulphur combined. ■ Where there are only a few trees to spray use one teaspoon of colloidal and i the same quantity of lime sulphur to ; one gallon of water. Spray thoroughly and always when the weather is fine. Keep the soil well hoed under all fruit trees. Cut out and burn all withered, . foliage and branches. , SHRUBS : Few of the buddleias are more effec--1 tive than buddleia alternifolia. This- ; species is quite distinct from all others, i both in its habit of. growth and the ■ formation of its flowers. The delicate : fragrant flowers are borne' on long, arching branches. These are freely pro- , duced. It makes rapid growth and soon attains full height, which is from 10 to 16 feet. This plant is quite good natured and will thrive in most localities. Give it an open, sunny position. Should it outgrow its position and pruning be necessary, the best time to reduce the plant is just after the flowers fade.