GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 July 1925, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES.

CULINARY PEAS

(By “AVaratah.”)

Where an early supply of peas is wanted a sowing should be mad e as soon as possible, especially on warm light soils. If not already done the 6oil should be deeply dug and well manured, for peas to do well must have rich feeding. Newly dug ground should be first made firm by treading, then take out a drill about six inches wide and four inches deep, and drop the seed in at two inches apart. Cover the seeds to a depth of two inch©* with part of the soil from the drill, leaving the remainder in ridge form on each side; this will be useful for earthing up later. If mice or birds are likely to prove troublesome roll the seed in a thin paste composed of red lead and water, or soak in kerosene for fifteen minutes before sowing. After the seedlings are through, the ground it will be necessary to protect them from slugs by dusting lime or soot along the rows, and from birds by means of a few strands of black cotton stretched along the rows. Early dwarf varieties should be sown now such as William Hurst, Little Gem, or English Wonder. These varieties may be grown without stakes, although they ar e the better for a few twiggy sticks placed among them to which they may cling and 60 be kept off the ground. It is a good plan to save hedge clippings for this purpose. As soon as the first lot of seeds show through th e soil another sowing should be mad e to follow on. For succession, sowings may be made every three weeks from August to the middle of February, and by a judicious selection of varieties, a constant supply of green peas may be had throughout the entire season. If possible the rows should be run north and south, and the distance between the rows the height of th© plants when fully grown; peas that attain a height of two feet should be- sown two feet apart and so' on. PLANTING GOOSEBERRIES AND CURRANTS. The heavy rains experienced this season have delayed the work of planting. A s soon as “possible, when the soil is at all workable, planting of these should be done, as these small fruits start into growth very early, and unless planted in time to get a good root hold before the hot dry weather arrives, often suffer severely. When planting spread the roots out evenly, cover with fine soil and tread it in very firmly. VALLOTAS.

Vallotas, known generally as the I “Scarborough Lily” can be shifted now. These bulbs do not need moving often, it is only necessary when the clumps are over-rowed. The bulbs flower much better when they are thoroughly established. They are not particular as to soil, but must have as much, sun as possible. \\ hen planting, do not put the bulbs down deep, th e top of the bulb sshould be just above the surface of the soil. No manure is necessary unless the soil is veTy poor, when a small quantity of bone-dust may be added. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. The work in this department during the next two or three weeks will depend upon the weather. When the ground will bear treading upon without sticking to one’s feet, take advantage of every favourable hour to trench spare plots, and make ready ground for sowing peas and broad beans. Seed sowing should be don e with caution while the weather remains wet and cold. In warm sheltered situations peas, broad beans, onions, turnips lettuce, carrots, spinach, radishes, cabbage and cauliflower may be sown. Artichokes may be planted at any time now, weather permitting. THE FRUIT GARDEN. Pruning should be completed as soon as possible now. All kinds of fruit trees may still be planted if the soil is iu a fairly dry state. Never plant when the soil is in a wet sticky condition. If the trees arrive when the weather is not suitable for planting, open up a trench of sufficient size to take the roots and cover them with soil. They will be quite all right left there until the soil is fit for planting. ROUTINE WORK. Put early varieties of potatoes in boxes to sprout. Plant cabbage and cauliflower plants Plant rhubarb roots in well-manured ground £pur feet apart. Plant fruit trees, shelter and ornamental trees and shrubs, hedge plants and rose bushes. Sow under glass tomato, hardy and half hardy varieties of flowering annual and biennials, cabbage, cauliflower lettuce, mustard and cress, and on a- warm border, outside, if weather conditions are favourable, dwarf early peas, broad beans, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, onion, spinach, radishes, and turnips.