IN THE GARDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 8

IN THE GARDEN

VALUE OF DEEP CULTIVATION THE VEGETABLE SUPPLY The advantages of deep cultivation are most apparent during extremes of weather such ns a hot dry'spell or a prolonged wet period Another important factor in the successful cultivation of vegetables is the keeping of the soil in a good workable condition. Poor results are inevitable if the surface is allowed to become caked and remain hard. Frequent hoeing not only assists growth but helps to keep the weeds under control. In most parts of this district gardens are greatly in need of rain at present. The planting of leeks and all members of tlie cabbage tribe should be continued as space becomes available. 11l localities not subject to early frosts, it is not too late to make another sowing of dwarf beans. Keep both runner and dwarf beans well-picked. If there are more than von require for immediate'use or for preserving, it should not be difficult to find someone less fortunately situated who would be glad of them. Some of our social workers would doubtless lie pleased to receive supplies of surplus vegetables for distribution, ' Make sowings of carrots (early variety). parsnips, beet. turnips and swedes, also radish and lettuce. The salads should be sown sparsely and at regular intervals of time. Quick growth should be assisted.

When applying liquid manure, be sure to moisten the soil first. If the ground is hard and dry the liquid will do more harm than good by injuring the roots. Dry soil does not readily absorb the manure and it often runs off and is wasted.

When the matured crops . have been harvested, the ground should be dug over and well manured and allowed to

sweeten before planting tho next crop. Always remember, do not plant successively two vegetables of the same family. A considerable amoiini of ground will soon be falling vacant through the removal of peas, potatoes., etc. Spent crops of till kinds should he got rid of, its they appear, and no belter place for them can be found than in the bottom of a good deep trench. Not only docs this plan create humus ill the soil, and replaces a certain amount of plant food in the ground, but it tends to keep things tidy and wholesome. Heaps of cabbage leaves and oilier vegetable refuse are likely to be offensive at this season of tho year.

Digging and trenching should be carried out as the ground becomes vacant. Do not delay this work where it can be done now, as the sooner in autumn digging or trenching can be carried out the better 'it will be for Hie ground, particularly ground! that is inclined to get heavy and sticky later on in the season. Stimulate the growth of young winter greens and other crops bv tile frequent use of the line' and rake. Onions sown last autumn will now begin ripening off. To assist ibis process the tops of the plants should be belli over. With tlie aid of a rake the process is quickly performed. If time permits, it is a good plan also to scrape a way the soil from around the hasp of the Indus, in order to leave them exposed and thus further aid through ripening. As soon as the cron is completely dried off choose a dry day and Jiff. Some cultivators leave the bulbs on the ground for several days to dry when fine weather prevails. A better plan is to remove them the same day to ap open shed, where they can lie spread out thinly, turning occasionally. Thorough ripening is necessary, although these onions cannot be expected to keep as long as spring sown ones.

’MIDST THE FLOWERS Continue the lifting of liulhs that are not to he left in an old position and prepare for replanting. Don’t leave the bulbs exposed too long (o the sun. Narcissi make a fine showing 'and Nelson has produced some specimens of the highest quality. The narcissus poelicus and itsjrariefies and_hybrids_sliould _be Everest Soap Coupons secure wonderful free gifts. Ask your grocer for de seriptive pamphlet. “Washed with Everest” is February Happy Snap Title. v

■among the first to receive attention. Bulbs may lie planted ill the grass by lifting the hitter in irregular patches. It will favour the growth of the bulb it. some good soil is placed in the hole, the bulbs being planted in this and covered with some more of the soil and trodden firmly. A tool known as a. bulb planter makes this a very simple operation. A hollow cutter at the end takes out a plug of turf and a bulb is dropped in liie bole. The second piece of turf pushes the first one out of the planter, and this is put, hack in the first hole,, making the operation complete. Tito layering of border carnations ran he continued, for, although drv weather may retard the rooting a little, actually the results will he much belter. Herbaceous plants that are running up to flower should be neatly staked. The propagation of bedding plants from cuttings should he proceeded with. Salvias, celosia. and marigolds can bo used to fill in any vacant spaces. Make a sowing of early-flowering sweet, ficas. Slot Its are delightful in the garden because of their beauty and fragrance. For early (lowering sow beauty stocks. These will commence flowering early in May and continue through the winter months. Sow in boxes in the shade. Phlox druinmoiuli may still he sown for a quick show. If the seeds tire drilled outside and well watered, they will commence to (lower at the end of the gutiiniil. Marigold plants nia.v also he set as they will stand more dry weather than , most seedlings. Cuttings may now he taken of geraniums by clipping off the tops of any plants thal are growing too tall. 'These are easily struck in sandy soil and will make" good bushy plants for setting out next spring.

Water and feed sweet peas liberally. Remove till dead flowers and seed pods in order to prolong the flowering period. Manure with sulphate of ammonia and potash, loz to a gallon of water. Commence sowing all the early flowering annuals such as' beauty stocks, cinerarias. poppies, pansy, primula, nialaeoides, nemesin, Virginian stock, violas, etc.

If manure is added lo bods being prepared for anemones and ranunculi it should he well decayed. Arsenate of lead, half an ounce, to the gallon, will keep caterpillars off chrysanthemums, dahlias, asters, etc.

If water is available, the following seeds may he sown along border* nd

in llowur beds: Alyssiini, linaria, candytuft, wallflower, leptosyne. Every care must he taken in watering; those planting early will reap the reward in earlier and bettor specimens in winter and spring.

It is best to lift gladioli bulbs before the foliage has eiitii’oly died off.

Now is the time to apply a topdressing of good soil. If water can be supplied il is an advantage in some eases, hut chrysanthemums do very well, and in many cases are better, for being on the dry side. Dahlias that show signs of being attaeked with limps should he sprayed with a nicotine wash. Grass clippings, spent hops, stable or cow manure should he utilised as mulching for rhododendrons, azaleas, dahlias, elc. This is a good time to fork over the ground and turn out sorrel, convolvulus, couch grass and such like weeds with underground stoloniferous roots. Fork the ground and carefully pick out every piece of root. Lot the roots dry well, then hurli them. I’rimroses and polyanthus should he planted nut. for they will require all their lime to get strong enough for flowering next season. Select a half slia.dy border and give plenty of water to encourage growth. This also applies to old plants and young ones planted out earlier. Water every evening in dry weather. Gardeners use animal manure to a considerable extent as mulches to conserve soil moisture. A mulch acts not only in that wav. but also as a plant food. But tbit k surface layers of manure are not in every respect beneficial. for while carrying moisture they at the same time deaden root activity as buffers between the,, soil and the atmosphere. Against slight mulchings there is no such drawback and these can always lie renewed ns required. It is certainly remarkable that a surface dressing, whatever the material of which it is composed always acts beneficially. Nor does it matter wluit the nature of the vegetation to which it is applied, soft, wooded annuals or gigantic limber trees Uiev all alike exhibit gratifying marks of invigoralion.