In the Garden.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 2 October 1936, Page 3

In the Garden.

HINTS FOR AMATEURS

THE VEGETABLE PLOTS From this time onward, there should be little difficulty by successions! sowing and planting in keeping the garden well stocked with seasonable crops. Grow as near as possible the quantity required to meet household requirements, and not in such quantities as will admit of waste.

bowing or planting should in no case he done while the soil is in a sodden condition.

Marrows, pumpkins, and cucumbers may safely be sown in the open. Tomatoes in the open should also be quite safe unless we get a late frost, which should he guarded against by covering with some protection if the. signs arcominous.

In lifting and transplanting seedlings, care should be taken to preserve intact as many of the young fibrous roots ns possible. The move of these that are broken or damaged in lifting the longer the plants' take to become established. In gardens of limited area that have been closely cropped throughout! H.c year the free use of some organic -iiaimif jg essential, or the soil scon becomes void of humus and poor growth results. Good stable manure is naturally the best for this purpose. , Where stable manure is not obtain-:-.ble, much can be done to renew the soil by Urn free use of vegetable refuse, such as the green tops of crops, grass clippings, fallen leaves, etc., that will easily decay. Artificial fertilisers are excellent when judiciously applied to growing crops, out this is more effective when applied to soil in which humus is fairly well distributed. ~ hi digging-in green manure, it should not he buried at too great a depth or proper fermentation is prevented by the absence of sufficient air, six to eight inches of covering being sufficient. In sowing or planting fibrous rooting plants, such as peas, _ beaus, lettuce, spi attach, cabbage, cauliflower, etc,., Hie ghj.tnd cannot bo. too well enriched with manure, while root crops such as carrots, parsnips, beet, salsify, and other tap rooting plants succeed better in ground that has been previously man'.tied and fiti’ii which crops have been taken. .. , Earth up and stake peas as they advance in growth. If plenty of stakes or branches arc not procurable, drive a, few stout stakes on each side o the rows, and stretch string from stake to stake at sufficient distances apart to support several rows. . . One of the most important m the cultivation •of the kitchen garacn crops is earthing up. It is of esnecia! value to crops growing m stilt, uiajej toils, whore voting plants have little encouragement to induce a downward tendency of the root system, ihe soil should "always be well loosened and pulverised between the rows with a lork before the plants are billed up. Cabbages respond quickly to this tientr ment, "as it not only stimulates root action and encourages growth, but steadies the plants in the rows, preventing damage to the roots I? pad beans and peas will also repay the time and trouble spent cm them m this icspect by giving an increased yield and more vigorous growth. The first early savoy may be sown now; also late cauliflower, and early broccoli. Do not row too thickly or the plants will ho weak and spindly. Most vegetables arc best tor table use when grown without check from the time the plants are raised until reac.y for use and this is best attained when the soil has been thoroughly pi'eP‘"'« and provided with sufficient plant food to ensure healthy growth. Established rows ol runner beans should have weeds cleared away Horn the crowns. A dressing or superplic .- pliatc or well-rotted manure should be liven and then the soil on each side forked over. , Make sttccossional plantings ol cab-

bage, cauliflowers, onions, potatoes, lettuce and turnip-rooted beets. Also make further sowings of peas, French beans, turnips, carrots, parsnips, onions, spinnacli, beet, lettuce, and other seasonable crops.

In order to maintain a regular supply of lettuce, sow once a fortnight. It is best now to sow where they are to grow. Thin-out as required, j Do net delay planting celery seed, j It takes a long time to grow large | enough to be transplanted. ! ’ ’MIDST THE FLOWERS

During this month large plantings of seedlings thjt have been raised in trays and hardened oft’ should be made ; also sowing in the open beds and borders of several that are best adapted for that style of culture to ensure a bright display and continuous succession of bloom throughout the summer. Always choose a fine day for sowing or planting, when the surface soil does not adhere to the feet and is easily raked without clogging. Take care not to injure the new shoots when cultivating around the lily clumps. Japanese' irises may still be planted. They succeed best in a moist loamy soil. The different varieties of pelargenimns may stiil be planted, regale and definitives, single and doub.j-llowered ivy-leaved. All are attractive flowering plants for the flower border and rockery. In arranging for the summer display, cannas must not be overlooked, as they impart a tropical appearance with their broad foliage and richly-coloured blossoms. Arrange them in dumps. Dwarf nasturtiums as a border !o walks and drives have a most striking effect, b'ow the seeds in a row, and thin out to required distances apart. The (lowers are suitable for small vases and decorating the dinner table.

Sweet peas must have their growths kept to the supports. Plant up the rock garden, filling the various' spaces and pockets with as varied a selection as possible, including some of the rarer species. This portion of the garden may be planted and tended irrespective of weather conditions. The commoner kinds of narcissus that have become too plentiful should be reduced by diggings out the surplus now being the best time, when they are in full leaf. Also take notes of best kinds for next year’s planting. Plants that are both showy in the garden and will provide useful cut flowers are antirrhinums, gaillardias, and scabious. Scabiosa caucaseia is excellent for cut flower purposes and will grow like a weed in most places. A great improvement has taken place in these flowers, and a wide range of colours is now available. Success is more likelv on a good loamy soil, deeply cultivated, and not too rich. As the "plants make little foliage, and cannot put up a fight against other strong growers, it is far better to give them a. little border to themselves" Plant then IS inches apart. Antirrhinums are probably one of the most popular of garden flowers. Obtainable in three sizes—-dwarf, intermediate and giant—-they arc valuable adjuncts for many positions in the garden. The intermediate type are most in favour, and are obtainable in many shades of colour, the pink and terracotta shades being more popular. Several named varieties are obtainable in shades of fiery scarlet and orange, that, when massed in small hods, lorm distinctive features that will command attention in auv garden. Gaillardias arc great favourites oil account of their long stems and great lasting qualities in water. They are extremely hardy, and bloom over a lengthv period" of the year. The plants should, however, be supported, and not allowed to straggle over the ground, as is too frequently seen. Several giant floweret 1 varieties "arc now obtainable ill several shades of colour, the most distinctive being the scarlet and gold edged one.