THE HOME GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21118, 27 February 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. The recent copious rains have penetrated and thoroughly soaked the soil, 1 refreshed the garden and grounds, and provided ideal conditions for general gardening operations. Proceed with the planting of narcissus, irises, anemones, ranunculus, ixias, and kindred species, lachenalias, tulips, freesias, alliums, and the other varieties of bulbs enumerated in last week's notes. The planting of bulbs should be done at suitable intervals as long as the bulbs are in fit condition, in order to cover as long a season as practical. Chrysanthemums for show blooms require constant attention. Select the second crown buds as they appear —pick off superfluous side shoots, remove suckers at the base and spray for caterpillars and rust fungus. Continue to bed out seedlings of zinnias, Phlox Drummondii, portulacas, antirrhinums, calendulas, Iceland poppies, etc., for succession. Dahlias, favoured by the recent heavy rains, longer and more dewy nights, are now at their best. Spray for caterpillars. Arrange and tie up the branches and disbud. Bow in the open ground seeds of Candytufts, annual lupins, larkspurs, godetias, scarlet linum, collinsia, mignonette, nemophila, summer-flowering sweet peas, .and other hardy annuals. Seedling weeds have come up In an abundant crop, necessitating timely hoeings to save after-labour. A general overhaul of the flower garden is again necessary to regulate the growth of many of the plants. Pick off dead flowers, stake and tie up any plants needing support.

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. To keep weeds under control, give timely attention to hand weeding and thinning out of seedling crops; then lightly dig and bury the weeds botween the rows. The growth of cabbagos and other colworts that are established can be greatly assisted by applying a light sprinkling of nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia along the rows, lightly hoeing the ground after the manure is applied. Take every advantage of present conditions to sow and plant out crops for late autumn and winter use. Crops such as carrots, parsnips, turnips, beet, spinach, lettuce, silver beet, and parsley should be sown without delay. Make further plantings of cabbages and other colworts, and make another sowing for later planting. To keep runner beans in a growing and fruiting condition, apply frequent applications of manure water. A further planting can b8 made of celery and leeks in richly-manured ground. Attend to the lifting and harvesting of potatoes as soon as they are matured. Also onions, shallots. Since the late heavy rains, tomatoes are growing rapidly and need frequently to be looked over and the lateral growths removed. Occasional spraying is still necessary as a preventive from caterpillars. Until ready for lifting, the laterals of kumaras should be occasionally lifted to prevent them rooting and weakening the development of the tubers. Clear all ground of spent crops and again manure and prepare the soil for further crops.