THE GARDEN IN JANUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 6, 8 January 1942, Page 10

THE GARDEN IN JANUARY

The wet season has resulted in very rampant growth of all kinds.

Moist conditions encourage very rapid, rank growth on tomatoes, which under such conditions are very liable to contract "blight" unless regularly sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. Potatoes^ also require this treatment to ensure healthy growth. ■

This is rather an important time in the vegetable garden as crops for winter use should be planted not lateV than the end of this month. Soil conditions are ideal for planting seedlings getting very little check when put out under such conditions.

To ensure keeping the plants in vigorous growth, frequent loosening of the soil is necessary, especially when dry spells, come. .'A ylight mulch is of great advantage in keeping the soil cool and preventing, to some extent, hardening of the surface.

The following crops are suitable for present planting:—Celery, leeks, broccoli, kale, cauliflowers, red cabbage, savoys, and silver beet.

Seeds of the following may be sown: —Spinach, silver beet, globe red beet, turnips, shorthorn carrots, lettuce; radish, and parsley; for succession a sowing of dwarf beans and a dwarf variety of peas.

Tomatoes require regular attention in the matter of tying in and rubbing out all lateral growths.

Pumpkins and marrows require to be pegged in as soon as the vines start to encroach on other crops. Encourage side growths by nipping the tips of the main vines. Most of the fruit is borne on the side shoots.

In the flower garden jobs can always be found. General clearing up is the order this month. Get rid of weeds before they ripen and drop their seeds.

Cut down the old flowering stems of perennials and remove dead blooms from shrubs of all kinds, roses, etc.

Early summer annuals which are past should be pulled out except where they are required for seeds. Ground so vacated may be replanted after proper preparation, with salvias, verbenas, petunias, zinnias, etc.

This is a good time to take cuttings of pinks, carnations, pansies, and violas.

Routine work must be attended to, hoeing, raking, watering when necessary, removing spent blooms, mowing lawns, and keeping paths weeded. Dahlias and chrysanthemums and other tall plants require support. Stakes should be fixed before the plants get blown down. ;

Roses respond to liberal supplies of liquid manure when producing theii: autumn crop of blooms.

Climbing and rambling roses are now making rapid growth, pushing out strong wands from the main stems and base of the plants. These new growths should, where possible, be retained, old worn-out growth which , has flowered being removed to make room for them.

Narcissi and other bulbs which are to be removed'may be lifted as soon as the foliage has died down. With the' exception of hyacinths and a few others which should always be lifted, it is not advisable to disturb bulbs unnecessarily. When they show signs of deterioration or overcrowding is soon enough to lift the bulbs.