THE HOME GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

With drier soil conditions, every preparation must be made for sowing and planting by first digging over the ground, leaving the surface rough for exposure to the air and to dry and sweeten. After a few days' exposure, refork to break all rough lumps and pulverise the soil. Next apply a surface dressing of newly-slaked roach lime. In preparing ground for antirrhinums, stocks, asters salphiglossus and other seedlings that suffer from collar rot and damping-ofi, apply a liberal dressing of fertiliser and lightly fork into the surface. The different, varieties of lilies should be planted at once Insert the bulbs from 4in. to 6in. deep. As the roots proceed from the stem above the bulb, they prefer a deep, loamy soil. Complete the planting of roses as soon as possible. A dressing of sulphate of ammonia (31b.) and 81b. of superphosphate may be applied per 40 square yards. The present is a busy time for the planting of the many varieties of seedlings, including antirrhinums, stocks, cinerarias, nemesias, dianthus, gaillardias, coreopsis lobelias, pansies, penstemons, larkspurs, geums, dimorphothecas, sweet scabious, violas and others in properly prepared ground. Seeds of hardy annuals, notably luDins, clarkias, godetias candytufts, linarias, cornflowers, larkspurs, collinseas! mignonette, silene, gilias, etc., may be sown in the open ground in well-pulverised soil. Lawns and other grass plots must receive weekly attention —mowing and an occasional rolling. Clip grass verges.

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

In raising early crops much depends upon the character and locality of the soil, so that discretion must be exercised in the time of sowing.

The most successful grower of early crops is the gardener who notes carefully the condition of the soil and who • does not work the ground when it is sodden, but when it is sufficiently dry and friable.

From this time onward every effort should be made by successional sowing and planting to keep the garden well furnished with seasonable crops. A good plot of potatoes should be planted in well-pre-pared ground, in no case planting the sets too deeply, as they still require all the warmth obtainable. Sowings of peas should be made at intervals of aboutthree weeks. These succeed best in soils that have been deeply worked and are well-manured.

Make a further planting of cabbage and cauliflower. For these the ground cannot be mad© too rich with manure.

Transplant autumn-sown onions and make another sowing for using in the green state.

Take every advantage of favourable weather to deeply hoe or dig over the soli between all growing crops.