Working, Guide for the Week

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23601, 9 March 1940, Page 5 (Supplement)

Working, Guide for the Week

FLOWERS Sow verbenas, pansies, violas, primulas, calendula, annual carnations, hollyhocks, stocks and all spring-flowering subjects. Continue the planting of bulbs and corms for spring flower. Sow anemone and ranunculus seed in prepared beds, shading from bright sunlight. Plant out the carnations from layers if they are well rooted. Pinks which have become overgrown may be pulled in pieces and replanted. Divide and replant flag iris which have become too thick, discarding the old exhausted centre portion. Keep the site for sowing grass seed well hoed to dispose of surface weeds; the sowing time is close at hand. The Greenhouse Prepare the available frames for the insertion of cuttings of bedding stock. Cinerarias and calceolarias will need constant watching for attacks of greenfly. Plants which have been out of doors for the summer will need careful overhaul before returning to the greenhouse. To prevent introducing pests, sponge the leaves or spray insecticide; also see that the drainage of the pots is in good order. Spanish, Dutch and English irises make good pot plants for spring use. Cacti and succulents should have a little less water from now on.

By KEPOS

VEGETABLES Sow winter or prickly spinach, cabbage and cauliflower (early varieties), short horn carrots, winter turnips and onions for pulling green. In districts free from frost, a few early potatoes can be planted; select healthy seed tubers which have been greened. Make a sowing of round beet to follow on present crop. Plant out silver beet from the earlier sowings. Earth-up the celery and leeks as required, selecting a time when the soil is dry. Dig all vacant land from which crops have been removed; turn over roughly to expose to the action of sun and air. Make a sowing of endive for winter supply. The Orchard Gather the fruit as it matures; allow to sweat for a few days before storing away. Unsound or damaged specimens should not be stored, but put on one side for immediate use. Tomatoes should be picked as soon as they show signs of colour; by this means much cracking by wet will be avoided. Trees which are making too vigorous growth with little fruit should be marked down for root pruning next month. Raspberries and loganberries should have the old fruiting growths cut out; give a good spraying with Bordeaux. Insert any cuttings of bush fruits required.