IN THE GARDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 13 March 1936, Page 7

IN THE GARDEN

HINTS FOR AMATEURS THE VEGETABLE PLOTS Hoeing and keeping the soil loosened bwlween. ail growing crops,, though at all times important, is especially necessary after every heavy rainfall, as tiie surface becomes beaileu and forms a hard crust after a few fine days. Sowings of lettuce, swedes,, turnips, beet, carrots, and raddish can be made. Prepare the ground, and sow onions for transplanting in spring. Examine celery, and if rust appears give the plants a spraying with lime sulphur solution. Give further earth-ings-up if necessary. Keep- tiie surface soil loose by frequent hoeing. This will expose the larvae of slugs and other ground vermin to tiie sun and small birds. It- is astonishing wliat large quantities of small slugs and eggs there are in the ground under a cabbage, tor instance, with its leaves on the ground. Unless destroyed- these would, pass the winter just- beneath the surface, and in the spring attack any crop near these colonies of eggs and small sects are distributed during the fine days thousands will perish from hot sunshine and small birds. For deep-rooting crops sow in ground that has been manured for previous crops, and that has been deeply worked. Other green crops such as cabbage, lettuce, and spinach, can always be assisted by the application- of • some stimulating manures when growing but, if applied to the root of the crops mentioned, is almost certain to result in badly forked roots. Broccoli seed may be planted instead of cauliflower. It is much hardier and less likely to blight. They are similar to cauliflower, but take longer to mature. Sow the seed in boxes on » well-prepared bed, and when the plants have made their second leaves transplant into their permanent places. Runner beans should be kept closely gathered. Liberal supplies of clear water and liquid manure will help to keep the crop going. Leeks which were planted early win stand some earth drawn up to them. Leeks respond in a very marked manner to liquid manure, but it must be weak and in ample supplies. People fond of Brussels sprouts, kale and silver beet may make sowings at once. Sow the seeds in beds, and when the plants have made tlieiin second leaves transplant in rows.

Support the growths of asparagus. The maturing of this season’s growth makes it possible to get a good cutting next spring. If the growths are broken by storms or wind, the check given affects the /following season s crop. Lift potatoes when the haulm dies down. The ground can be forked over, and used for winter crops or cabbage or turnips. Cabbage for early spring use should be set out at once. Give the quarter a thorough preparation. Manure it heavily, and if there is any black ash from a rubbish fire spread this over the surface and fork it into the soil. Don’t plant starvelings.

’MIDST THE FLOWERS All bulbs are now making roots, and the sooner they are in their proper position the better. Cut off any seed pods on the roses. Glean and hoe the. beds. A light pruning may be given, and cutting halfway down any old flower shoots. Give cuttings a sandy soil. See that the base of the cutting rests ion firm soil. Keep the soil damp, but do not keep the cuttings too wet. Shake till robted . Chrysanthemums will need careful attention Disbudding must be done, feeding and watering will -be needed. A daily watch for grubs must be kept. Should grubs appear dust the buds, when moist, with hellebore powder;- If there are no flowers showing colour the plants can be sprayed with arsenate of lead. Early sown seeds of annuals and perennials that are now large enough should be pricked out either in beds or boxes to be ready to plant out as soon as the first autumn rains set in. An nuals that are to bloom during the winter and very early spring should be planted as soon as possible so they will be able to get a start before the soil gc-ts too cold. When pricking out, whether in boxes or beds, shade will be necessary to keep the sun off the plants until they are established. The shade should be removed gradually giving a litle more light every day. All shade should be removed every night. Keep the liquid manure going amongst dahlias and chrysanthemums. It should be applied two or three times a week. Weak and ample quantities are better than small quantities very strong. All dead flowers should be kept cut closely to prevent seed production. Usually the mixed and herbaceous border begins to wear a worn-out look long before it needs to, due to this neglect ol keeping down the production of seed.! Make a sowing of hardy annuals such as mignonette, Iceland elegans, poppies, staticc, etc. Cut the runners off the violet plants. If there is any sign of mildew or red spider, spray with lime-sulphur solution. Rose cuttings can be inserted now. Choose flowering shoots about six inches Isi fig, remove flower bus, .plant firmly and water well. , Cuttings of pansies and violas can bo inserted now. A light, rich soil and shade is necessary. ... Many of the most popular bedding plants’ can bo propagated from cuttings at this time of the year. lent stemons, salvias, antirrhinums, verbenas, calceolaria, and geraniums are amongst the number. Tulips take front rank among the most beautiful of hardy bulbous plains. In the middle of the 17th century tulips realised most fabulous prices never before or since reached in the history ot plants. New varieties of tulips are obtainable from seeds. The general method of increase is by offsets. There are Darwin tulips, Parrot tulips, early single early double, and late-flowering tulips in endless variety They are barely and of fairly easy culture. Double and single flowered varieties mixed together, planting the bulbs five inches apart and from two or three inchef deep in groups in the mixed border, oi in separate beds, produce gorgeous effects with flowers. Commence planting now, at intervals to secure as long a flowering period as possible. they succeed well in volcanic soils. In stiller soils a little sand around each bulb is recommended. , Sow new lawns, allowing from one ana a-hnlf to two ounces of mixed grass seed to every square yard. Overhaul the rock garden, removing the less valuable kinds and undesirable duplicates; remove the soil from the pockets and fill up with a gritty mixture composed of clean loam three parts, leafmould or peat two parts; slungle and coarse sand and lime rubble mixed one part. Planting can be done now and after weeding and forking up tbs surface, the pockets of established plants can be top-dressed