GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 December 1927, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES.

| (By “Wara-tnli.”) ! THE COMPOST HEAP. | The value of the compost heap as a fertilising agent is not sufficiently recognised and much valuable material -is wasted by burning, which only produces ashes of comparatively small value, whereas the compost heap supplies the humus necessary to all soils (and particularly to light soils) to maintain thenfertility and to act as an agent to hold moisture in suspension for the use of the crops during periods of drought. All vegetable refuse from the garden, such as grass cut from the lawn, weeds, dead leaves, etc., and vegetable matter discarded in the .preparation of vegetables for the table, tea loaves, or straw in packing -should he preserved and placed in come odd corner, where thev can he built up in layers, interspersed with soil- Tf any animal or bird manure be available, it should he mixed with an equal quantity of soil and placed in the heap between thi> layers of vegetable refuse. As each layer is added it should he (sprinkled with coarep salt to destroy any insects and to facilitate decay. The heap must ho kept in a moist condition and turned over occasionally to assist decay. When thoroughly decayed, the compost may be used to enrich any part- of the garden in need of 'it. or it may lie mixed until equal portions of soil and sand for growing pot plants or seedlings ip boxes. Its value in enriching the soil will lie found equal to any manure which can he purchased. FLOWER 0 ARDEN.

Anemones. —Those w'no grow these Mowers from seed should make a sowing now while the seed is fresh. Sow in good sandy soil in boxjets o-r in a nursery bed, and shade the boxes or beds until the seedlings appear. Ea-r'.v flowering annuals that have finished flowering should be pulled up and their olacos filled with .seedling plants of French marigolds, petunias, zinnias or African marigolds. All of these plants stand dry weather conditions, and will flower in profusion until cut down bv frost.

Where not already done, take up tubers of anemones and ranunculuses and of tulips and hyacinths, clean them free from soil, dry thoroughly, and store in a cool dry place until the autumn.

Hoe flower beds and borders frequently to h3ep down weeds and retard evaporation by maintaining a fine tilth. In dry weather water thoroughly any trees or shrubs olanted last winter or spring. Any seedling plants transplanted in hot. dry weather should be shaded until they hav)3 recovered the check sustained in transplanting. Chrysanthemums will be growing rapicl’.v now, and should be provided with suitable stakes, so that they may lie kept in an upright condition as they advance in growth. If large blooms are required, only three leading branches should he allowed to each plant, and all side shoots removed as they appear Provide one stake for each branch, and insert the stakes at an outward angle, so that each shoot can receive an ample supply of sun and air. Civ© ample supplies o (moisture in dry weather and a weekly dose of liquid mauUO3. Should “rust’’ make its appear" anr-e on the plants duet with flowers of sulphur or spray with lime-sulphur tionDahlias should he staked in the same way as advised above for chrysanthemums. Keep the .shoots tied to the stakes as thev advance in growth. The plants need plenty of water, and should be given a thorough soaking once a week in drv weather and a weekly supply of liquid manure. The faded blooms of carnations should he lucked off and the flower .stems neatly tied up. Should rust make an appearance on the plants dust them- with flowers of sulphur or vu--.iv with lime sulphur solution, after nicking off and burning all badly-infect-ed leaves.

Clio hednes and box .edgings. 1 Pick off all faded flowers from plants ( to prevent seed formation, and so pro- i long tlie flowering period. VEGETABLE GARDEN. * Sow turnip-rooted beet for late sum- - nier and autumn use and a long-rooted variety for use in winter. Sow" dwarf French and butter beans 1 everv fortnight for succession. Sow St. John’s Day or Succession 1 cabbage for autumn and winter use. 1 Sow “Early Horn” carrot to pull ■ young. , ' Sow mustard and cress and radishes at frequent intervals for use in -salads. ( Sow lattuce in a shallow trench. In a shady position. Sow silver beet. Sow turnips for succession. Sow edible-podded or sugar peasSow garden swede. Sow New Zealand spinachWhen sowing peas and beans now, sow in a trench 6in. in depth and cover the seeds with. 3in. of soil. The trench will make watering more easy and effective. Later on some earth may be drawn back into the trench to keep the roots moist and cool. Plant winter cabbage, Savoy cabbage. Brussels sprouts and broccoli for winter use. Make the soil firm by treading or with a light troiler. Puddle the plants in if the weather be dry at the time of planting. The best method of doing this is to make the holes for the plants first, fill each hole with water, and as soon a? it has drained a wav put in the plant. Plant 2ft 6 m apart each wav -if possible. Where . space is limited this distance may b a reduced a few inches, but the plants do much better if given ample- space to develop. Do not plant on any piece of ground that has recently been occupied hv cabbages or ca oh flowers. Give celery plants copious supplies of water in dry weather. Pinch out the tops of broad beans and peas when the plants are well covc;’£(l with flowers to divert the strength of the plants to the* formation of pods. T.ie nn the s tem« of tomato plants as tbev advance in growth, and pinch off all side shoots which appear at the junction of leaves and stem as; soon as tbev can be handled. Spray at intervals of three weeks (or more frequently jf the weather be .showery) to prevent attacks of the various fungoid diseases which affect tli3 tomato plant. Such subjects as ! ettuoes, spinach, peas, cucumbers, pumpkins, marrows, and celery must have copious supplies of water in dry weatherGive a thorough soaking once a week when necessary; a sprinkling on the surface does more harm than good. as it encourages surface roots, which are soon destroyed by the heat of the sun s lien hoeing through the -plots of cabbage, cauliflowers, etc., draw up some earth round the stem of each plant. When this is not done the action of winds causes a hole to develop round each stem, through which the moisture in the soil quickly evaporates. Plants of sweet corn will need the same attention. Peg down the stems of pumpkins, marrows, cucumbers and melons; place the peg near a joint and draw a heap of soil over the joint. The vines will then send out roots at the peaces where they are pegged down, holding the stems securely in position and giving the plants additional nourishment. When the shoots are not pegged down the plants are liable to sustain damage from boisterous winds.