Operations For August

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1938, Page 6 (Supplement)

Operations For August

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Sow early peas, lettuce, turnips, cabbage, beetroot, parsnip, carrot, spinach. Plant autumn-sown onions. Plant cabbage and cauliflower as available. A few tomato plants may be put out in sheltered, sunny, positions. Sow tomato seed under cover in boxes. Prick out early-sown tomatoes in boxes of good soil. Sow melons, cucumbers, and marrows under glass. Manure rhubarb beds. Plant asparagus, also Jerusalem artichokes. Earth up potatoes that are through. Propagate herbs by divisions or cuttings. Complete the pruning of fruit trees as soon as possible. Spray peach trees for leaf curl before the buds start. Use fresh soil for seed boxes. Sow Brussels sprouts and broccoli. These take a long while to mature. Prune and spray outdoor vines, and tie in place. THE FLOWER GARDEN. Cabbage leaves placed among seedlings make good traps for slugs. The pests may be collected from under the leaves during the day. Divide Japanese Irises and poeonies. Prepare the ground for planting gladioli. If the soil is poor, dig in well-rotted manure or garden refuse at a spade depth, so that it will not be too near the corms when planted. Firm the ground after digging. Newly planted trees and shrubs should be made quite firm in the ground by treading. Staking is also necessary. Do not plant when the ground is very wet. Heel the plants in by covering the roots with soil in another part of the garden, until the bed is in the right condition. Calendula may still be planted out. This marigold has become a favourite with its new improved varieties. Tho plants will soon flower if removed from thfc boxes with soil attached to the roots. This applies to all seedlings planted at this time of season. Plants of nemesia, schizanthus, stock, cineraria, carnation and antirrhinum may be put out in sheltered, warm gardens. Sweet-pea seed may still be planted. Plants that are growing will need tying to their supports. A dusting of lime about the roots will bo beneficial.