The Home Garden

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23181, 29 October 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

The Home Garden

By KEPOS

FLOWERS

Polyanthus which are retained for another season, should be - * lifted and -planted in a shady portion of the garden for , the. summer. When the aubretias have finished flowering, clip off all the faded blooms and seed-pods. Plant out asters, zinnias, salvias, marigolds, phlox drummondi, petunias, and other hardy and half-hardy annuals for summer display. The started dahlia tubers should be divided and planted; one shoot with a tuber attached is sufficient to make a good plant. Prune the spring flowering shrubs as they pass out of flower; the pruning should be more in the nature* of thinning out the older growths. Plant out the chrysanthemums as soon as well rooted in the nursery beds.

The Greenhouse

Climbers are growing freely, the shoots should be regulated and tied into position. ,Twberous begonias should be carefully watered until they have filled their pots with roots; special care is needed after repotting. Select -the most promising and best coloured of the coleus seedlings; the poor kinds will make plants for bedding out. Sow primulas for early flower next winter; there are many types to choose from. Recently repotted ferns and palms should be watered carefully until vigorous root action takes place.

Working, Guide for the Week

VEGETABLES

The Orchard

Make a plentiful sowing of runner beans, these are one of the most useful of summer vegetables. Parsley that has stood the winter should have the flower stems removed; when the spring sowing is ready, discard the old plants. Keep up the supply of peas by frequent sowings, the later varieties should be sown now in preference to the earlies. Newly planted rhubarb should not be pulled this season; build up strong crowns for next season. Thin the asparagus seedlings when they get a few inches high; do this while the soil is moist, otherwise the tops break off. From now on lettuce is best sown thinly in drills, then thinned out; this saves a lot of work in transplanting and watering.

When the petals fall from apples and pears apply the lead arsenate for control of codlin moth. A lime sulphur spray at the same time will be advisable where scab is troublesome. Dry weather greatly checks the growth of strawberries; give a thorough soaking of water where this is possible. Green and black fly is very troublesome; do not allow these to gain a hold or the foliage will be crippled. Vines should have their growths regulated by the necessary pinching and disbudding. Newly planted fruit trees are likely to suffer during dry spells; keep well supplied with water.