THE HOME GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21758, 24 March 1934, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN

THE FLOWER GARDEN

Sow hardy annuals in the open ground for early flowers in spring. Sow under glass verbenas, pansies, violas, stocks, nemesiti, primula malacoides, etc. Prick off annuals sown last month. Iceland poppies from earlier sowings are ready for planting out for winter bloom. Continue planting of bulbs. Seedi. of the hardier perennials may be sown out of doors in a sheltered position. Delphiniums, Canterbury bells and giant scabious do well in this way. Transplant in spring. Chrysanthemums need feeding with liquid manure. Watch, for caterpillars in the developing buds and see that plants are well secured against autumn storms. Dahlias should have all spent blooms removed as soon as they fade unless seed is desired. Remove annuals from borders where they have finished their display. The vacant spaces can be filled with spring-flowering subjects. Sow new lawns and renovate bare patches on old ones. Use lawn sand for large-leaved weeds. See that the heating system of the glasshouse is in good order. It may be wanted any time from now on.

I PROGRAMME OF WORK

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Sow cabbage and cauliflower (early varieties), lettuce for winter supplies, early horn carrots, prickly spinach, and turnips, both swede and whitefleshed varieties. Sow onions on land worked to a fine tilth for transplanting, and Tripoli and giant rocca for pulling green in spring before the main crops are ready. Lift and store potatoes and onions as they mature. Dry before storing. Any onions showing a tendency to sprout should be put aside for immediate use. Earth-up and feed with soot water advancing crops of leeks and celery. Break the leaves over hearts of autumn cauliflowers to protect from frost. Cut out old fruiting growths of loganberries, raspberries and black currants and train out new growths. Gather maturing fruit on dry days. Only sound fruit should be stored. Slightly-damaged fruit can be used at once. Dig over all vacant land and sow down with crops for digging-in later. Mustard is a quick maturing crop for this purpose and will clean land of wireworms. Mark any trees in the orchard for treatment for silver blight or unfruitfulness.