The Home Garden

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23073, 25 June 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

The Home Garden

By KEPOS

FLOWERS Early bulbs are making good growth. Keep the beds well weeded'and apply a dressing of sulphate of potash mixed with five times its weight of fine dry earth. Leaf scorch is apparent in the browned tips. Cut these off and burn them to arrest the secondary infection. Continue the planting of trees and shrubs when the soil is in good condition. Prune ornamental trees and shrubs, but leave the springblooming kinds till flowering is past. Manure and fork over the shrubbery borders when the last of the leaves have fallen. Remove suckers from grafted trees and shrubs, especially lilacs. The Greenhouse All available space will be needed for the early seed sowing. The various annuals to take the place of the spring flowers will be the first to attend to. Pot plants coming into flower will need weak liquid manure. [Thoroughly cleanse the woodwork and glass of the greenhouse; the shading required in summer will be best removed now. Prick off seedlings before they become drawn and place near the source of light. Avoid overheating where artificial heat is used; damping down must be frequent with such a dry atmosphere. Sow the early batch of tuberous begonias, gloxinias and streptocarpus.

lilacs.

Working Guide for the Week

VEGETABLES Make a plan of the garden for future reference and rotation of crops. In cold districts sow a pinch of cabbage, cauliflower <fnd lettuce seed in boxes under glass for an early crop. As soon as the soil is in a workable condition get in another lot of peas. Those who have glasshouses will find dwarf beans a profitable early crop. Plant out autumn-sown onions; dust with sulphur if mildew is in evidence. Dig artichokes and select well shaped tubers for future plantings. Early potatoes should be set up in seed trays to sprout. The Orchard Pruning and application of winter sprays to fruit trees will be pressing operations. Early-sown tomatoes may be planted out under glass when the positions are ready for them. Keep the atmosphere dry with sufficient ventilation. Old worn-out raspberry stools should be replaced with new canes. When planting young fruit trees see that the top growth is pruned to ensure sturdy growth next season. No manure should be placed among the roots of newly-planted trees. If the soil is poor, apply the manure as a mulch. Cut out all cankers when pruning, also gummy spots on stone fruits.