The Home Garden

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

The Home Garden

FLOWERS Many of the hybrid pinks require annual propagation to keep up the stock; insert the cuttings now. Divide and replant the mossy saxifrages where they arc be- , coming dead in th c centre. Sow aquilpgias; delphiniums, polyanthus, anemones and ranunculus for earliest bloom. Mignonette : own now will flower in winter. Make a first sowing of winter sweet peas. Layer carnations in .beds of prepared soil; remove all spent flowers from the beds. Commence the budding of roses. Cut back the pelargoniums. Disbud dahlias and chrysanthemums; keep tied to the supports*. The Greenhouse Prick off the primulas as soon as large enough to handle; keep shaded in a cool frame. Put in a few lachenalia and freesia bulbs in pots for early flowering. Propagate any special gloxinias by leaf cuttings. When the old corms of cyclamen are showing root action, repot in some fresh compost. Cuttings of hydrangeas root readily at this time of year; use terminal growths about four inches long. Pot on the seedling cyclamen'. Sow stocks for winter flowering under glass. Sow Iceland poppies, Humea elegans and hardy biennials.

Working, Guide for the Week

„ VEGETABLES Sow swedes for winter use; also white turnips for autumn. All supplies of broccoli should, be planted out at the first opportunity. A sowing of shorthorn carrots made now will be useful. Late spraying of potatoes will prevent the tubers becoming infected at lifting time. Do not leave potatoes exposed to the attentions of the tuber moth at night lime. When shallots have ripened off they shoiild be lifted immediately, or they may start to grow again. Make a good sowing of parsley now for spring use. Cut and dry herbs when the plants arc coming into flower. The Orchard Budding of fruit trees can be commenced. If new plants of loganberries are wanted, bend down a runner into the soil. Summer prune fruit trees as required. Vine houses where the fruit is colouring will need plenty of air. When the crop is cleared from bush fruits give a good spraying with an insecticide or fungicide; it will save a lot of trouble later. if new strawberry plants are not wanted, keep all the runners pinched off. Keep a look out for silver leaf among the stone fruits and cut out branches where seen. Fruit trees on grass should have a circle kept clear of weeds and grass around the base.