HOME GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24576, 6 May 1943, Page 5

HOME GARDEN

WINTER GREEN CROPS CLEANING UP ORCHARDS BY KEPOS Hoe and weed between the rows of cabbages and winter greens whenever the soil is dry enough. Where the winter green crops were late planted a dressing of fertiliser will help the plants as soon as they have gained a hold. Cut down the asparagus when ripened off and clean up the beds for the winter. Plant shallots and potato onions and infike a sowing of onion seed for transplanting. Lift the kumara crop and have the pit ready for storing. Rhubarb may be planted at any time now in soil that has been well enriched with well-decayed manure. Preparation for Planting Citrus trees transplant well from now on, in fact, the present month is the best time. Prepare the sites for planting fruit trees, raspberries nnd loganberries. All supports for raspberries, loganberries and allied fruits should be overhauled and made good where decay has sf>t in. Clean tip the borders of the orchard of all waste growth, which becomes a harbour for serious posts. Vine houses Should be left wide open in order to ripen the wood well before pruning. Clear away the debris of tomato crops and do not omit to burn it if the plants have been attacked by stem borer. Bulbs for Early Flower Complete the planting of bulbs with the various hardv liliums. Pot up a few bulbs of lilium auratum, longiflorum nnd regale for early flower in the greenhouse.

Plant out annuals for spring display; stocks, nemesia, calendula and antirrhinum can all be planted now. Roses may be planted from now on, but prepare the soil well first; polyantha roses make good edgings for permanent rose beds, Cut down dahlias when damaged by frost; lift the roots and store in a frost-proof place. Border chrysanthemums do not stand the winter well in an ill-drained soil, so lift a few and plant on a warm border. Plants Under Glass If suitable side shoots are available, commence to insert cuttings of perpetual carnations in the greenhouse. In frosty districts, the garden frames should have some covers handy to put on at night. All the plants in unheated greenhouses are all the better for being kept rather dry at night; do the watering in the morning. Primulas and cyclamen coming into flower should have some weak liquid manure if the pots are full of roots. Get in a supply of potting soil before it becomes too wet and see that plants liable to damage by frost are taken under cover. Win tor-flowering begonias should be well staked out and all pinching out of buds should cease now, PIGEON RACING Onohuiisa Club.—First race from Ohakiine.E. Harland's Windy Weather, 040 yds, 1: T. Kemp and Son's Falcon, o."Jsy(ls, 2; H. Thornton's Midgway, (>!Myds. 3. Rare from •Paokakariki, 4-clock-rt: 15. "Duncan's team, 1058 yds, 1; E. Harland's team, 1022 yds, 2; H. Thornton's team, OoOyds, 3. Second race from Ohakunr: E. Harland's bird, 872.4yd5. 1; FT. Thornton's bird, 872.1yd5. 2; J. Collins' bird, 860 yds, 3. Younpr birds' season average: E. TTarland, 1; H. Thornton. 2; Duncan and Sons, 3.