IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24116, 27 November 1943, Page 7

IN THE GARDEN

* WORK FOR THE WEEK (BPBCI4LLT WEITTBH FOB THB PEBBS.I tßy W. J. HUMMJ \ VEGETABLES 1 The rain has had a most beneficial effect on all vegetable crops. To get \ the lull benefit of this keep the sur* : face soil well cultivated with the hoe.. , This will prevent rapid evaporation and the benefit .of the rain wiil be last- - ing. Good cultivation is necessary if the best is to be got from the soil. If soil cultivation is carried out as it should be it will produce an even distribution of both plant food and moisture, will make heavy and cold soil . warm, and will check the too rapid I drying up of the moisture in the i lighter and more sandy soils. Thorougn s cultivation will enable the surface air • and moisture, warmed by the heat of • the sun, to penetrate round the soil , particles, and it will enable the roots l of the plants with greater ease to pene- . trate and take up the food which has been made soluble by soil germs, i The cutting of asparagus should ‘ cease by the end of the present month. ; Give the beds a good dressing of well- , decayed manure. This will do much to invigorate the plants. They will then develop healthy roots, if healthy top-growth is not encouraged after cut- . ting has stopped the asparagus next : spring will be of poor quality. Next t season’s crop depends much on how the plants are treated during the sumJ mer. Where manure is not obtainable, t, topdress with some new soil and give i liquid manure frequently. Place a few I supports round the beds at intervals > and run some good, stout string to support the growths, as high winds often [ cause damage. 1 Plant main crops of potatoes and mould up those that are through the t soil. E Sow robust kinds of peas. It is a • distinct advantage to have peas well staked. Sun land air can then do their - work. Sow dwarf and runner beans in deeply-worked soil. Plant cabbages and cauliflowers. Sow seed of cabbages and cauliflowers now. These will come in for late autumn use. If a line of parsley is sown now it will be ready for use next winter. Make sowings of onions, lettuce, and radish for salad purposes. Sow main e crop beet. Plant out pumpkins, mar- ; rows, and cucumbers. Bush marrows t are best to grow where space is limited. . Prepare trenches in which to plant j celery. The soil must be fertile if the j crop is to be a success, j It will soon be time to plant leeks. Get the ground deeply dug and well . manured. , Tomatoes may still be planted. They f must have a sunny position. Lime is essential when emwing this crop. Sow seed of kale, broccoli, savoys, and winter cabbage now. These will I come in during the winter months. , . Sow a line of carrots. They may be 5 pul’ed when quite young, j Make a sowing of maize in well- ’ worked soil. r Sow a line of yellow-fleshed turnips. 1 They will stand the heat much better than the*white-flesh <!> d sorts. FLOWERS Plant chrysanthemums and dahlias in sunny positions. Chrysanthemums in the open borders mav be cut to witbin 18 inches of the soil. This will cause them to grow bushy and more flowers will be the result. - Plant gladioli at intervals to keep up a supply of flowers. Dujt a little sulphate along the rows of sweet peas and hoe in. Transplant violets. Dig in plenty of well-rotted manure. Sow wallflowers to make an effect next spring. Plant marguerite carnations. Sow sweet williams and Canterbury bells. These should flower next season. Sow gallardias, pentstemons, forget-me-nots, heucheras. anemones, polyanthus, and Iceland poppies. Plant zinnias, asters, heliotropes, African and French marigolds, and other annuals to make a summer and autumn display. Prune back the flowering brooms as soon as the flowering period is finished. The varieties Lilac Time and Praecox should not be pruned. , Cut back arabis and aubrietia. This will remove the seed and encourage the plants to make new growth, oi which they will bloom more freely next season. Geraniums are the best bedding plants for making a lasting and bright display during bot weather. SHRUBS Kalmia latifolia is one of the most beautiful of the evergreen flowering shrubs. In growth it rather resembles a rhododendron, but is more refined. The flowers are produced in corymbs on the extremities of the branches. The colour is pale pink and distinct m formation from all other flowers. Kalmias do best in a lime-free soil in a position protected from the influences of drying winds. They are not suited to root disturbance by deep cultivation. Top-dressing with sawdust, welldecayed manure or leaf mould will keep the roots cool and encourage growth. Kalmias are perfectly frosthardy and will endure extreme cold, but are not suited to a draughty position.