HOME GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24541, 25 March 1943, Page 5

HOME GARDEN

VEGETABLES TO SOW PLANTINC FOR SPRING USE By KEPOS When the growth of asparagus ripens it should be cut oft' and burned before the seed falls on the beds. The earthing-up of celery and leeks should receive attention while the soil is dry. , Make sowings of turnips, both purpletop' and the vellow-fleshed varieties, for winter use. If pickling cabbage are required next summer the plants should be put out now in firm ground. Make plantings of cabbage for winter and spring use as soon as the soil is in a moist condition. Root Pruning of Fruit Trees The vigour of old strawberry plants can be maintained by mounding good, rich soil around the plants at this season. Root pruning may be taken in hand at any time now for the improvement of unfruitful trees. Stone fruit trees should be supplied with lime at least once in every three years; now is the best time to apply. When the fruit crops have been gathered give a good spraying where insect pests and disease has been rampant. Where quinces have been subject to leaf spot: all the leaves should be raked up and burned. Do not leave any mummified fruits on the trees; burn them. Attention to Rose Beds Where roses have suffered from black spot and rust, collect and burn the fallen leaves and spray with a good fungicide. Herbaceous borders will benefit bv a dressing of basic slag at this season.

Look over the chrysanthemums for disbudding and keep a watch for the caterpillars, which destroy the buds New rose beds and borders should be double dug so the soil can settle down before planting. Bulb planting should not be held over any longer than is necessary. Old beds of lily of the valley may be lifted and divided; beds it is not desired to lift should have a topdressing of old manure and leafmould. More Light in Greenhouse Spiraeas and similar plants can be potted up for early flower in the greenhouse. Hippeastrums now dried off should be placed under the stages where they will be free from drips. Old plants of streptocarpus that have had a long season of flowering should be thrown out and replaced by the young plants raised last spring. Poinsettias growing under cool conditions should now be taken into a warmer temperature. Pot some of the early-flowering gladioli of the Colvillei type. Greenhouse subjects require all the light possible in winter, so reduce some ot the summer shading.