THE HOME GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN

THE PLOWEE GARDEN. Cyclamens should he planted now in separate round beds, also In the rockery and along any of the borders, keeping them about 151u. from tho edges. Beauty stocks, antirrhinums, larkspurs, sweet scabious, Canterbury bolls, neraesias, primulas, polyanthus, and cinerarias are all suitable for present plantings. Precautions must, bo taken to protect cinerarias from frosts. Where only a few are grown an inverted flower pot placed over each plant when frosts are likely to occur is sufficient. Sowings of a few varieties of the hardiest annuals should be made, such as candytufts, lupins, mignonette, linarias, acroclinuras, poppies, calendulas, and sweet pea 3. Avoid unseasonable plantings, as many failures and disappointments occur from this cause. There are always plenty of suitable kinds to select from. Some kinds, too, cannot he successfully grown on account of slugs and excess winter rains. Hasten forward bulb planting, especially such varieties a3 Spanish iris, freesias, isias, etc., that start into growth early. Anemone and ranunculi may sUll bo planted for succession. Evory preparation must be made for the wet winter season. &edij and borders should be cleansed from weeds by digging them down. Somo of the shrubs should bo cut back, lawns renovated and resown, and walks put in order. Perennial delphiniums aro so subject to the attack ol slugs that, being dormant' throughout the winter, the seedlings shouid bo kept in the' send trays, and not planted until they re-stajt into growth in the spring. Winter-flowering sweet peas are a great acquisition, they provide early flowers for cutting. Always arrange for a row or more in the warmest and most sheltered position. Summer flowering sweet peas may still be sown in tho open ground or in pots to provide suitable plants for spring planting.

PROGRAMME OF WORK

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. While the weather is fine, every inch of garden soil not in crop should be v/ejl cultivated. Light digging or forking between the rows of cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, ancl other autumn crops will greatly assist growth. In preparing soil for sowing or planting, well-raised beds should bo formed for most varieties of winter crop. Raised bods get the maximum amount of sun and warmth, and aro free from surplus moisture. Asparagus beds should be kept clean and free from weeds. In no case, however, should the tops bo cut until thoroughly ripened. It would, be better to allow tbs tops to die down' naturally than to cut before they are ready as the future growth and strength of the next season's shoots depends upon their preservation until natural decay tabes place. Every efiort should be made to keep up as good a supply of vegetables a,3 tho season will admit. During the winter, crops remain in a stage of usefulness much longer than in summer, and the sowings made should be only such as will meet requirements. ' Tho latest planted celery should now bo sufficiently advanced to allow of finally earthing up; this Is best done when the soil is reasonably dry.' In placing the soil around the plants, every care must be taken to keep the soil f rom the centre, or heart, of the plants. Potatoes intended for very early planting should he placed in boxes for sprouting beforo planting. It is a well-established fact that better results are obtained when potato sets are sprouted, for not only Is a more even growth obtained, but two or three weeks is gained in the growth and development of the tubers. Potato sets should be placed on'ead in shallow boxes and just covered with dry soil. IS the soil is perfectly dry there will be little or no root action, and they can be lifted and planted without check.