THE HOME GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN.

THE FLOWER GARDEN*

Recently-planted seedlings and herbaceous and other perennials have greatly benefited through recent splendid warm rains, making the soil in good crowing condition. & Alternantheras, iresines and other tender bedding plants should be ready lor planting out early next month. Carnations and picotees: Some of the superfluous flower buds should be nipped of! and the flower stems neatly arranged and supported by light stakes. Dahlias. The general planting should be proceeded with at the same time attaching a stout stake to each plant. Make good holes, loo:en up the bottom of each, and incorporate some stable manure or a little bonedust. Roses: To prolong the flowering and obtain the best results, lightly stir the soil around the plants and pick off all spent blossoms and spray for aphis if necessary. Chrysanthemums: When the plants have made a good start, and are about 6in. high, pinch the tops out. Complete the planting lor exhibition. Those for garden decoration and cut flowers may be planted up to the middle of December. Asters, zinnias, French and African marigolds, celosias, cosmoea, scarlet salvias, gaillardias, portuiacas, petunias, verbenas, penstemons, etc., may all be planted at the present time. Narcissi: Allow the foliage to properly mature before cutting it off. Freesia bulbs are sufficiently matured to take up in readiness for digging and manuring the ground to replant with another edging for succession.

PROGRAMME OF] .WORK.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

In sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings, always use a line for drawing the drills. Irregular rows are unsightly, while the use of the line tends to neatness as well as to economy of space. A barrowful of well-prepared soil for covering seed after sowing will invariably assist most rapid germination and growth. Tomatoes for the main crop should now be planted. Wood ashes, worked in the soil, is good for this crop. Look over melons, cucumbers, and marrows, and fill up any vacancies by resowing or planting. Peas and beans, unless the ground has been fairly well supplied with manure, can be greatly assisted by occasiona l light dressings of superphosphate. In no case omit to spray potatoes, tomatoes, or other crops subject to disease. Spray so that every portion of the foliage receives some of the liquid applied. Attend to weeding and thinning out of seedling crops, the distance apart being regulated by the variety and size the plants attain to. Kumeras may still be planted in ground that has been well-worked and finely broken up. In sowing sweet corn, the rows should be so arranged as to afford shelter to any of the more tender crops. Recently-planted onions should be frequently hoed over and kept free from weeds. Two sowings of scarlet runner beans, made at intervals of four or five weeks, will provide a supply until well into the autumn.