THE GARDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 May 1945, Page 3

THE GARDEN

Seasonal Notes for Amateurs WINTER WORK As the condition of the ground permits, such areas that are empty should be well dug and enriched with any organic manure available. Do not work the soil down but leave it as rough as possible for weathering. Developing winter greens should be kept clean and have the soil firmly around the stems. Brussels sprouts are developing rapidly and if ready to use should be picked from the bottom up. They are much improved by the action of the frost. Seedling cabbages and cauliflower may be set out for spring development but it must be remembered that under ordinary conditions there is a risk attached to such crops set out now as they may bolt to seed if the early spring weather is marked with too much warmth. It is better to plant just a few. Broad beans may be planted now and. if conditions permit, early peas. The ground should be prepared for the setting out next month of shallots. Easier to grow than onions this crop is always satisfactory from a production point of view and with care the bulbs can be cultivated to a useful size. Autumn sown onions must be kept free from weeds but take care not to disturb the roots. Lettuces growing now should be kept well hoed and would benefit from applications of weak liquid manure. Earth up leeks and keep the bed free of weeds. A GOOD CLEAN UP Heaps of rubbish and dirty corners give shelter to slugs and other pests during the winter. Clean them up and use all matter that will decay in a reasonable time in the manufacture of compost. It is difficult to have successful fires with everything damp but use what wood ashes are available to enrich the soil. Runner beans should be cut and burnt as soon as any ripening beans are harvester:. Tomato beds should be cleaned up and the .stalks burnt. Remove all stakes from’ the ground and hang in a dry place. Check over all stored vegetables to see they are not rotting or suffering from the depredations of rats. SELECTING SHRUBS Many of the leaf losing shrubs may" be propagated by cutting at this time. Keep the chrysanthemums well supported with stakes and select good blooms worth propagating later on. Most kinds of shrubs’’and roses can be planted now in well prepared locations suited to their needs. When selecting shrubs try to choose those suited in size and habit to the proposed environment. There is nothing worse than seeing attractive trees stunted and crowded in places where they should never have been planted. There are plenty of small shrubs suited to gardens where the size must be limited and to select specimens of large habit is only going to cause trouble when they mature.