THE HOME GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN.

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. imJWhen tho' surface is fit to tread upon and work a gtneral tldying-up must bo undertaken. Weeds must be' lightly dug under where space will allow. Hand weeding will suffice among the plants. Tho pruning of all- roses should bo completed by the middlo of this month. Suckers should be removes and clippings burned. After the pruning spray tho roso bushes to kill white scale and control fungoid germs. Leave the surface soil fairly rough to 3weeten for a while. Jpush on tho planting of ornamental and aholter trees and shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous, and also the planting of hodges and other permanent subjects. The surface soil around anemones, ranunculi and other hardy-flowering bulbs, and also seedlings, must ba lightly stirred to break the surface crust caused by frequent rains. The planting of seasonable seodlings, including antirrhinums, nemesias, larkspurs, primula malacoides, • primroses, polyanthus, mimulas, stocks, Canterbury bells, pensteinons, cinorarias, etc., may be carried out. Avoid planting tender seedlings until the proper time. Premature plantings result only in failure and dis- . appointment. The pruning of camellias and other evergreen as well as deciduous shrubs that need a littlo attention should be done as soon as possible. Attend to tho sowing of seeds under glass for the coming season; also to tho boxing-ofl of all that are ready to insure a good supply for spring plantings.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. After the late heavy rains light digging and turning the weeds under will be. more effective than hoeing. Immediately tho soil is in a workablo condition sowings should be made of peas, broad beans, spinach, beet, silver beet, turnips, carrots, lettuce, onions, radishes, mustard, cress, parsley and other crops. If the soil is of a stiff, lumpy nature greater success will be attained by using good, sifted soil for covering the seeds. To keep up a succession of peas make a sowing about every four weeks; with later rowings at threoweekly intervals. Secure tea-tree or other suitable branches for staking. If these are laid out Hat until required for use they will be found much more handy for the purpose. The quickest and most successful method of raising lettuce, cabbage and cauliflower plants at this time is to sow in boxes in good soil, and place in a frame or warm situation, protected from slugs. Plant out a few rows of onions, for early use in wellprepared soil. In no case, however, should the soil be worked while in a wet condition. Always allow a few flne days •to olapse before treading upon the ground. Success cannot be achieved if sowing or planting is done irrespective of the condition or suitability of tho soil. In sowing tomatoes for later planting endeavour to obtain seed saved from plants free from disease. With the exception of dwarf and runner beans and othor tender subjects almost every variety of vegetable can be sown during the present month.