THE GARDEN IN AUGUST

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 25

THE GARDEN IN AUGUST

Althoygh August is usually a wet month and often very, cold it may be considered the beginning of a hew season. The days are lengthening and the sun is gaining - strength, making for more favourable conditions * all round. Except in the colder, inland districts, where late frosts are the rule, seeds of all hardy vegetables may be sown soon whenever the soil is fit to work; it is wiser to postpone sowing if the ground is very wet and cold as seeds are apt to rot under such conditions, and that means the work has to be done over again with the inevitable added expense and loss of time. .

Planting of potatoes, onions, and all the cabbage family may be undertaken, always..thoosihg ±he.'warmest- and most favourable positions for early plantings, as the ground is not yet properly warmed up.

The planting of fruit trees should be finished as soon as possible, established trees being pruned and sprayed.

In the flower garden August is a busy month. All hardy subjects may be sown in the open under favourable conditions. Tender subjects must be raised in boxes under glass in readiness for planting out when the weather and

soil conditions are more . congenial. Any seedlings of hardy plants which are available can be plan-ted out. Early planting under normal conditions., will result in early maturity and the plants get well rooted before dry weather sets in.

Perennial plants may be lifted «id divided where they have become too crowded if this, was not done in the autumn. Be sure that the ground is well dug and manured before replanting. Many of the spring plants, especially the bulbous varieties, are throwing flower, and these subjects should be carefully tended by keeping them free from weeds and occasionally forking the soil round them, being careful at the same time not to disturb the roots.

Roses should be pruned as the eyes swell, a condition which shows that the sap is moving again.

Man tire and fork over the rose beds after pruning.

Flowering shrubs and trees as well as roses should be planted. This work should be done before new growth is too pronounced and early, enough to allow time for the plants to become established before dry conditions set in.' .