THE HOME GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

The planting of pelargoniums, fuchsias, tuberouii and fibrous-rooted begonias, shrubbery calceolarias and echeverias should be deferred until the soil is warmer and the temperature more uniform. Attend to the propagation and preparation of the ground for the planting of chrysanthemums in Ootobßr. Apply a liberal surf ace dressing of lime, mixed with a little soot, to sweeten the soil and kill insects. Restart old dahlia stools by placing them evenly under a glass light or warm place outside. Covjr the tubers with some light soil, leaving the crowns from which the shoots start bare. Allow a few days to elapstj before giving them any water. The present should be a busy time in planting the different varieties of annuals that are required for the summer and autumn adornment of the flower garden.

Seedlings for present planting include phlox drumrnondii, which are the showiest and best of summer-flowering annuals. They are good dry-weather subjects. Plant in large beds and in groups for mass production. , Arrange the plants eight inches apart. The dwarf French marigolds, in single and double flowers, are' next in importance for a prolific and continuous display. Arrange the plants about eight inches apart in borders, groups or beds. Other seedlings include verbenas, Iceland poppies, miniature sunflowers, Marguerite carnations, godetias, penstemons, petunias, gaillardias, Canterbury bells, cornflowers, nemesias and several others. Defer the planting of asters, zinnias, feathered cockscombs and portulacas until toward the end of October or later. Failures of zinnias last year were the result of too early planting.

Complete the planting of evergreen and deciduous trees and flowering shrubs, hedge plants, roses and other permanent subjects.

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. The planting out of new beds or plots of asparagus should no longer be delayed, and if the ground has been prepared as advised success should be attained. Complete the planting of rhubarb. For this, to obtain well-grown stalks for several years in succession, the ground cannot be too deeply dug and thoroughly manured. Carefully watch and protect seedling crops just as they are coming through the soil. In addition to keeping the soil frequently stirred, frequent dustings with lime, slugene, or other slug destroyers should be applied. Pay special attention to weeding and thinning of seedling crops. Weeds form a harbour for slugs and should in no case be allowed to accumulate. By making judicious selection and sowing of crops there should be little difficulty from this time onward in keeping the garden well furnished with useful vegetables. Further plantings should be made of potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, cabbages and autumn-sown onions. Continue to spray growing potatoes. Spray so that every portion of the foliage is well moistened with the material used. Deeply dig and well manure a trench in readiness for sowing scarlet and other runner beans. Kumara sets should now be placed in a frame for sprouting. A hot-bed composed of fresh stable manure, made to a depth ot 12in. to 18in., will furnish sufficient heat to start the tubers into growth. Attend to the staking of early-raised peas. Even the dwarf varieties succeed better when supported. Trees that were budded during the summer should now be cut back to just above the bud. A sharp knife and as clean a cut as possible is necessary.