The Garden.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 40, 8 January 1898, Page 6

The Garden.

(By “ Mubihiku.”)

NOTES FOR JANUARY.

Now that the bustle and worry of the holiday season is over, the routine of work can again be taken up. In the first place it will be necessary to see that the vegetable garden is well stocked with the varieties of cabbage suitable for autumn and winter use. The ground formerly occupied by early potatoes should be filled up with these as it becomes vacant; for savoys, kale, and eaily cabbage, about 21 inches apart will be enough, while cauliflower and broccoli will require two feet. The main crop of celery should also be put out this month. The trench for these should be dug about 18 inches deep and filled in with six inches of well-rotted manure, covered with other six inches of good soil, and the plants planted on this and earthed up as growth proceeds. This latter operation should always be done when the ground is in a dry state, and the heart of the plant secured in such a way as to prevent the soil getting into and rotting it. A collar of brown paper, 24 by 6 inches, twisted round the stem after the plant is established, and before earthing up, will help greatly in blanching and preserving. Turnips and prickly spinach for winter use may* be sown now, also successional sowings of raddish, lettuce, and cress. Late sown onions and other root crops, not thinned last month, should be attended to immediately. During dry weather the hoe should be kept constantly going to loosen the soil, and to destroy weeds, and, as the latter are almost seeding, extra attention should be given them. In the flower garden little requires to be done beyond keeping the borders in a general state of tidiness, and as frequent spells of dry weather may be expected during the next month or two, a considerable amount of watering will require to be done to promote growth. Dahlias, hollyhocks, verbenas and other plants required for show purposes will be greatly benefited by frequent mulching with liquid manure; attention should also be given to see that they are secured from injury by wind. Mignonette, godetia, and other annuals should be thinned at once, and any blanks in the borders filled up with surplus plants.