The Garden.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 42, 13 January 1900, Page 7

The Garden.

NOUS FOR JANUARY.

(Bt “Murihiku.”)

Now that the bustle and worry of the holiday season is over, the routine of work can be again 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 early 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 6 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 almosc 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 benefitted 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. This is also a good time to provide a sunply of spring flowering border plants, by sowing either under the protection of a frame or on a sheltered border, a selection from the following list, all of which are suitable and hardy enough for the ' purpose: Brompton Stock, Antirrhinium, Sweet William, Canterbury Bells, Campanulas of sorts, Dianthus, Carnations, Gaillardias, Pansies, Picotees, Polyanthus, Primrose, Wallflower, etc. It is during the winter and early spitog months that flowers are hardest to obtain, and therefore more appreciated, so that a few of the above sorts should find a place in every garden.