Working Guide for the Week

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 10 (Supplement)

Working Guide for the Week

FLOWERS - >■.: * .* r ' " '' : Sweet peas coming through the soil should <be protected from ' • slugs and birds. . • ,r '

The condition of the soil will now permit the arrears of planting to be completed for spring display. Roses may be planted.from now on, but see that the beds are well prepared in the first instance by providing good drainage.. ,

There is still time to plant ranunculus for flowering next , i> ' spring. Iceland poppy beds should have the weeds removed and the soil lightly stirred to prevent caking after rain. Clean up the herbaceous borders; some of the plants will need a dressing of lime. The Greenhouse ' With a return to moister conditions in the atmosphere, less moisture will be required to be applied in the greenhouse. / Leafminer and caterpillar play havoc with cineraria leaves; spray with tar water for the former, and arsenate of lead for caterpillar. ,

Corms of begonias should be gradually dried off and'stored away till next season.

Introduce some of the earliest-potted bulbs to a cool house; . heat should not be applied until the flower buds show. £ease feeding the poinsettias when the bracts are half developed.

Plants that are to flower in winter will need all the light obtainable during the following weeks.

By KEPOS

VEGETABLES Seeds will be quickly through the ground with the rains; take the first opportunity to hoe through the drills. Make plentiful sowings of broad beans; an application of potash to the soil will render the crop less liable to rust. Plant potato and tree onions and make further sowings of onions for transplanting. Lift kumaras and store after sweating for a week or so. Where the soil is in need of lime, now is a good time to apply a good dressing. Soil infested with pests should be treated with a good soil fumigant. Rhubarb may now be planted. Make fresh beds of horseradish. The Orchard Cuttings of bush fruits inserted last season can now be lifted and planted in permanent positions. Make new plantations of strawberries as soon as the plants are available.

The planting of citrus trees should be undertaken before the soil becomes too wet and cold.

Stone fruit trees should have an application of lime at least every two years. .

A frequent examination of the stored fruit will enable decaying specimens to be removed; these soon contaminate others.

Vines under glass can be pruned when the leaves have fallen.