The Garden.

Southern Cross, Volume 6, Issue 5, 7 May 1898, Page 10

The Garden.

(By “ Murihiku.”)

NOTES FOR MAY. . flfvwMA) Kitchen Garden. —The season has now so far advanced, that frost/may be expected to prevail at almost any time, and every preparation should be made for the protection of tender crops, because its influence operates much more destructively on vegetation at an early period than it does after the crops have been somewhat acclimatised by colder influences. Cauliflowers not yet developed will be sufficiently protected by bending or tying together the leaves over the beads. Lettuce and endive will require similar attention ; though in the case of the endive that has been planted deeply in the ground, this precaution may not be necessary. The crop of beet is another matter to be seen to now. In lifting, care should be taken not to injure the roots in any way, otherwise the colour will be impaired. When lifted, carrots and parsnips should be s'acked in a shed, and if a little sand be scattered over the layers of the former it will be an advantage. If desirable, parsnips may safely be left in the ground, in fact, many prefer to lift as required. A small sowing of early peas and beans may also te made on a warm border. Clear off all growth from asparagus beds, stir up the surface, and give a good coating of manure, while if the same treatment be given to the rhubarb the crowns will be protected during winter and will start away in the spring stronger and more rapidly. Every other description of decayed vegetation should be cleared off the ground and conveyed to the refuse heap, so as to preserveasneatand orderly anappearance as the season will admit. All vacant ground should be manured and dug over, to be left as rough as possible to the action of the frost. Blower Garden. —Dahlias should not be lifted until growth is quite destroyed by frost, as so long as there is growth through the leaves there is *«also root action and growth under They should then be stored Tgcffi sand under cover after being Azaleas, Camellias, etc., which* have been out through the summer, should also be removed into the conservatory in readiness for the flowering peiiod, which will soon arrive. Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, and other spring-flowering bulbs should be planted without delay, as it will be found that those not lifted are already making good growth. As the season for transplanting is close at hand, preparations should be made for lifting and removing trees and shrubs about the end of the month. Hedges and specimens should also be trimmed and otherwise attended to. Gorse, cape, and Scotch Broom for hedges should be sown this and next month.