THE HOME GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN.

TEE FLOWER GARDEN. Present conditions being ideal lor sowing, planting and general gardening, the work must be pushed ahead vigorously to keep pace with tb© advancing season. Bedding-out zinnias, phlox Drummondii, asters, dwarf, French and African marigolds, ten-week Btocks, coreopsis, antirrhinum;, verbenas, delphiniums, gaillardias, lobelias, and a few other summer-flowering plants must be attended to. •The planting of the different varieties of pelargoniums, fuchsias, shrubby calceolarias, fibrous-rooted begonias, gazanias, mesemb ryanthemums, marguerites, and ether popular perennials, including carnations, should tie proceeded with. Cannis "&re indispensable summer-flowering and decorative plants. Gladioli and liliums also are suitable for present planting. Ground that has been dug for planting chrysanthemums should receive a libesaJ surface-dressing of lime. Stocks in flower and coming to flower are often spoilt at this season by green aphis. As a precaution and remedy, spray with black leaf 40 or Gishurst's compound. Two or more applications are necessary. Sow in the open ground seeds of linarias, eschscholtzias, dwarf nastirtiums, nemophilas, collinseas, Shirley poppies, lupins, and other hardy annuals. Lawns and other grass plots must receive regular attention in the direction of mowing, weeding, and an occasional rolling to maintain a close, firm sward.

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. From this time onward salads will be in increasing demand and every effort should be made to keep up a supply, of lettuce. Young onions,, too, are always in demand, while radishes, mustard and creas should be sown fortnightly. In sowing and raising seedling crops it is important that the soil has been thoroughly worked and finely broken-up to allow the young roots to penetrate unchecked. Attend to the staking of peas before they become too tall. Even the dwarf varieties that are usually grown for early crops succeed better when supported. The planting of a few well-hardened plants of tomatoes should now be made. Before planting, dip the plants in a solution of Bordeaux mixture as a precaution against disease. Autumn-sown broad beans will soon be setting their fruits and will be benefited by having a few inches of the young tops pinched oil. This will not only assist in the development of the pods, but will also be a means of checking the black aphis. Make successional sowings of peas, beans, spinach, turnips, beet, and other crops as required. Sow only in such quantities as can be used and that will not result In waste. Celery sown last month should be pricked out into boxes as soon as large enough to handle. In preparing the boxes, place a layer of well-rotted manure in the bottom of the box and fill up with fine, rich soil. In pricking out, place the plants 3in. apart so that, when large enough for transplanting, they can be lifted with a good ball of earth.