IN THE GARDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 7 August 1931, Page 3

IN THE GARDEN

APPROACH OF SPRING

THE VEGETABLE PLOTS There is ample evidence of the approach of spring. Tvecs are bursting into leaf, daffodils arc blooming, and \iolets are peeping shyly from their beds. With warmer days the garden will soon burst into renewed life. -A busy time is ahead for the amateur, and every spare moment should be utilised in making preparation for tho numerous plants and seeds that will soon need attention. 'The rhubarb patch should be attended to and new plantings should be made where the old blocks are to be removed. The strawberry beds should be gone o\er. They wiil soon begin to grow. Topdress with manure if wanted. Asparagus beds should now be dug over and begin their annual manuring. Radishes may be sown now but- only in reasonably light land and in warm positions. Peas should go in as early as possible now. Use only tho very early varieties. They may bo rather slow to begin with but they .will be making a start. On very light land carrots may be sown, but only in very warm spots. Where plants are available they should be planted out now as long as tho soil is suitable, nicy will be slow in growing just now, but they will become established and be ready to come on as soon as tlie better weather begins. , On light land, however, growth will be much more satisfactory as the diaiuage is better. Lettuce should be sown about every three weeks now, and planted out in lows when ready. The seed beds must, lie well prepared, the soil well broken up and the beds raised at least six inches above tile surrounding soil. The seed should bo only slightly covered. It would be advisable to protect the young plants from the birds as they are very destructive at this time of the year. Cape gooseberry may he transplanted now. Not, young plants but old mocks. Plant deep, so as to protect them from tile frost.

Now is (he time to replace sage and thyme. Lift the old block, divide these and replant small pieces, but they must have a little root with it; plant these deep enough, so as to lcavy only two or three inches of their tops out of Hie ground. Both sage and thyme may be raised from seed, but tho dividing is easier and makes plants more quickly. Cabbage and cauliflower seed should be sown now for the main spring transplanting. Beds for this purpose should also be well prepared, and protected from the birds even more so than the lettuce. The birds soem to be very fond of the cabbage and cauliflower seeds.

Asparagus beds should be cleaned over, and a dressing of salt given. A dressing of nitrate of soda should he given about the middle of August. In most, gardens where the soil is at ail suitable the first early potatoes should be put in. Where the soil is too wet tlio seed tubers should be spread on trays or Poxes and allowed to sprout. Place them so that the sun can reach them. If the seed is not sprouted it is best to wait until they have done so before planting, it saves a lot of time. If planting is continued while this unsuitable weather lasts the drainage must be attended to, as no satisfactory growth need be expected if the drainage is not as perfect as possible. Onions for salading may be sown in a warm border. A top-dressing of soot once every three weeks during showery weather will push them along wonderfully; but let tho young plants have a good start , before applying the soot.

’MIDST THE FLOWERS The annual scabiosa should be planted now, if early blooms are desired. Root out any old worn-out rose hushes, and replace with some young trees. Better results are obtained from young slock. Cover up the early growth of delphiniums and gypsophlia to protect it from the slugs 'Hie pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs should receive attention, especially in small gardens. Trees and shrubs should not be cramped or mutilated, but aggressive growers must be kept within bounds.

Chrysanthemums should he examined to see that slugs are not damaging them. Cuttings will be ready for taking, off, and should he inserted in shallow boxes or pots. A cold frame is very useful for rooting the cuttings in, but once rooted give them open-air cultivation. The following seeds may he sown in the open border:—Dwarf nasturtium, candytuft, mignonette and Virginian stock. Sow the following in seed pans or boxes: —Dwarf marigold, phlox, pansy, stocks, calliopsis, verbena, hollyhocks and scabiosa.

Sweet peas for late flowering should he sown now so as to bo ready for planting out in 4 to 6 weeks’ time. Seed of tuberous-rooted begonias should be sown now. and the seedlings, if well grown, will flower during the autumn, making a succession of the plants grown from dry tubers. The seed pans should be well drained and filled with light, rich soil, yhich should be watered with a fine rose can some hours before sowing. The fine seed should be placed on the surface, afterwards covering the pans with a piece of glass until germination takes place. If water is necessary, stand the pans in a vessel of water, and thus prevent disturbance of (be surface.

A few plants of asters, stocks, and other annuals l'oc early planting, can be sown in pots or shallow boxes. The planting of seedlings has been quite out of place, but once tile soil is dry enough the work should be done.

Prepare beds and borders for the planting of annuals to be planted out during September and October. Bulbs and tubers of begonias, gloxinias, and such like in store, must be examined. A small dirty coloured grub is often very destructive amongst them. A light dusting of dry arsenate of lead powder will keep I hem off. Mix the arsenate of lead with twice its bulk of lime.

(live anemones and ranunculus all Possible attention As soon as they start In bloom they should be lopdressed with old manure. Plant or replant all perennial plants.

’I lie following hardy annuals may be planted ouL: Antirrhinums, larkspurs, sliitiee, Canterbury bcllsi, poppies, nemesni, primula and earnatflons. Slocks may do if given a. dry situation. Cinerarias are suitable for shaded situations. Lobeha makes a good spring border planted oin. apart.