Spring is here Take care not to overdo it

Press, 2 September 1983, Page 10

Spring is here Take care not to overdo it

GARDENING

by

M.Lusty

It is necessary to seek tolerance for my once again drawing attention to the inadvisability of embarking on too early a sowing and planting programme. This is particularly relevant as it has come to notice that advice to the contrary has been percolating down from that bit of land just the other side of Cook Strait.

Unless ground is favourably situated, little if any benefit is gained from rushing to get things in. If your soil still has a really cold, wet feel when squeezed waiting another week or two is generally well worth the delay. Conditions will vary, sometimes quite considerably so, almost from property to property, so individual assessment will have to be made about when to apply current general work guide lines. Vegetables This month heralds the commencement of a really busy period in the vegetable garden with crops to tend, seed to sow and much to plant. Sowings can now include asparagus, beans, beetroot, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, celeriac, Cape gooseberry, endive, leeks, lettuce, kohlrabi, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, radish, rhubarb, salsify, scorzonera, silver beet, spinach, swede and turnip. Tomatoes, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, melons, squash, marrow and peppers can be sown under glass. Silver beet, artichokes, cabbage,' cauliflower, chives, lettuce, onions, and parsley can be planted fairly generally. Seed beeds should be well prepared. The soil should be friable, of even tilth, free of lumps, etc. and firm on top. Fertiliser should be worked into the top 10mm of ground prior to sowing of seeds. If beetroot and silver beet has lacked colour in

the past then add either ammonium sulphate or nitrate of soda, at the rate of 35g per square metre. A sprinkle of salt along the row will also help to improve growth and texture of beetroot. Fruit Spraying: Now that fruiting subjects are rapidly bursting into bud, full leaf and flower critical periods for applying appropriate sprays must be noted so that they are timely in their action. If black spot and/or powdery mildew have been particularly prevalent on your trees in the last year or two, do not miss a good cover spray of either colloidal sulphur or benomyl at the green tip stage. Brown rot control of stone fruit, as well as control of a number of other ailments common to these fruit, must begin early — right from bud movement. During the season, alternate use of captan and benomyl can be recommended; good results have also been obtained from the use of triforine. Grafting: This is a task at the time when the bark lifts readily from the wood and will vary from place to place depending on the prevailing conditions.

Do not use other than perfectly healthy material of known origin for grafting purposes. Use sharp, clean tools; work steadily and avoid letting the cut surfaces of stock or scion dry out; make sure of good cambial contact which is more important than a 100 per cent straight cut, and bind the union securely.

Ornamental section

Annuals: Sow the seed of suitable bedding plants now: alyssum, aster, balsam, celosia, cleome, verbena and zinnia provide examples. Some annuals do better if sown where they are to flower and these include cosmos, delphinium, and godetia. Dahlia tubers should be sorted out and set into boxes for sprouting. Only the very best should be retained and all other discarded. When the shoots

appear divide the tubers up so that at least one good bud is retained per set. Alternatively the shoots can be removed with a sharp knife when 70100 mm high and use as cuttings. Cuttings should be dipped in a soft-wood rooting hormone and dibbled into sharp sand to root.

Gerberas can be planted now. These plants prefer a slightly more acid medium with plenty of organic matter plus good drainage to do really well.

There is a good choice for selection available although the widest range may come from the specialist raisers rather than local nurseries.

Polyanthus really provide a great and lasting display of colour; they are more readily available now, both in bud and

flower. Again, a lime free, well drained but moisture retentive soil is best for them.

Lawns can be sown now. Most weed problems can be controlled effectively by spraying with glyphosate which permits cultivation and sowing in relative safety and without loss of herbicidal efficacy within a week. General lawn seed mixtures are applied at between 25g and 35g per square metre and the most usual mixture comprises a 2:1 ratio ofchewings fescue and browntop.

The addition of crested dogstail provides a more rapid cover of the bare ground but this grass eventually dies out of the established lawn.

Ryegrass is added where hard wear is necessary, and blue grass and yarrow are sometimes

favoured in sandy coastal areas.

Weed control in lawns, paths and other areas can be attended to now as can moss control.

All sprays should be mixed, handled and subsequently stored with care. Always read the label before preparing and applying any chemical. And always use strictly according to respective recommendations.

Hedges can be trimmed at this time of the year. - Now is the best time for hard cutting back and/or reshaping, if necessary, as . conditions are conducive to steady recovery. ?

Do not use other than sharp tools and avoid axe and slashers as they can cause considerable damage by splitting the ends - of thick stems, especially if wielded by inexperienced users.