GARDEN NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 24136, 5 March 1942, Page 2

GARDEN NOTES

Answer To Correspondent. “J.” (Port Chalmers).' —The name of ! flower spike submitted is Salvia uliginosa. j It is one of the best perennials grown, and i likes plenty of moisture in a sunny position. • FEEDING THE SOIL. It is very important to look over growing crops in tlio vegetable garden, and wnere growth is hot developing as it should be a little feeding will bo beneficial. Liquid manure, not stronger than the colour of weak tea, either from manure heaps or from manure which has . been placed in barrels, should be applied ai least once a week. If superphosphate at the rate ot loz to the gallon of manure water is mixed I together this will help the nitrogen and I potash which the liquid manure contains j to be easily assimilated by the roots of j the plants. As very little growth takes I place after April it is most essential to see that crops are well matured before the hard weather arrives. There is still time to sow silver beet. I spinach beet (perpetual), prickly spinach, ! Early Krun carrots, turnips (white and ' Orange Jolly), beetroot (turnip varieties), | onions for transplanting later (Brown ■ Spanish and Pukekohe Lougkeepcr are the 1 most suitable), parsley for winter and spring use, and Early Market and Greyhound cabbage for transplanting later. There are several crops which require attention when tlie weather is suitable. Shallots, if not already lifted, dried, and stored, should now bo fully matured. Onions should be thoroughly dried off and strung up with cord or raffia iu a dry and wellventilated store. Early potatoes, if not already lifted, should be dug, and after drying off placed in a well-ventilated shed. Watch for any tubers which may be affected by disease. These should be destroyed at once. Where potatoes are affected by disease and the growth has been cut off it is advisable to allow them to remain in the ground for a few weeks, as in this way these which are affected can be removed and destroyed when lifting takes place; but if the crop is lifted immediately and the haulm cut off there is a possibility of the disease making its appearance after the tubers have been stored, and ‘that means extra labour later. There is still time to make plantings of broccoli, drumhead and savoy cabbage, also borckaie and celery. When these crops are well under way a dusting of superphosphate worked in between the rows will be beneficial. This can be worked into the roots by using the push hoe. Carrot fly, unlike the onion and cabbage root fly, lays its eggs in the soil, and so the fly must he prevented from laying its eggs if possible. This can be done by working into tho soil a soil fumigant. Where the foliage is affected a useful spray ean be made hv adding a few drops o! nicotine to a gallon of soapy water. Some good fresh kelp (seaweed) placed in a sugar bag and then soaked in a barrel of water also makes a good spray. Use one pint of the liquid to a gallon of water, and spray when, the sun is off the bed. This spray is also excellent for other pests. LAWNS. Th" sowio" down of lawns and ver""s rap bp es'-ried out fmro now on. b"+ the s'tes must be nr«r>ared before sowing. Wb«re the soil is weedv it is nrast essential that the weeds he dest”eved Gio-onehla before any seed is sown. Through the fnf’*'‘tfTuction of a. pew y-"ed killer a lot of labour nan be saved. Finsf, fork hack the surface belitlv and allow it f o remain in that conditiou for two o- fbroe v-ppTrc. Bn that time the weeds will be showing through. The whole sin-Scoo should Mi "u hare an annl’eaf’ou of Rootovido. This is casfl v applied hv usrag the wafer ran "-’’tb flip reap at. tapl-nd. In a f~w dans all soft weeds will ho dast-oved. The sp’-fncp pap then bo n**e. pared fon -aaoiving fha n*ra ss paed. One nonnd of ■P'-ntoyida wi T ’ make 10 gallops, winch is snFia.ient for 200 souare yards of surface. This weed killer does not iuterfenp with the grass in apn wav; in fact. it. seerns to act as a stimulant to the grape plants. Apply when the surface is moist. TOMATO HOUSE. E N Due to the lateness of the season, many plants are just beginning to ripen, and in many cases the top bunches are just commencing to swell. Now is the time to give the plants_ a stimulant or the fruit will bo small. Keep all disease-affected foliage cut out and allow plenty of ventilation. FRUIT GARDEN. . Continue to plant out strawberry runners into beds which have been well dug and heavily manured. The raspberry bed will also need attention. First of all, remove all old canes, then thin out all small and spindly canes, leaving only the strong and healthy ones. These will require plenty of space between so that air and sun can penetrate through them. Feeding with liquid manure from now on will strengthen new growth and the fruiting buds for next season. . F.S.P,