The Garden.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 30, 1 November 1902, Page 10

The Garden.

NOTES FOR NOVEMBER.

(By “ Murthiku.”)

"Vegetable Garden. The past month has again acted up to its reputation for boisterousness, and gardeners are generally complaining of backwardness of growth ; more so than the geniality of early spring predicted. Therefore it is to be hoped a return to seasonable growing weather will follow the advent of this present month. There will be found plenty to do in attending to growing crops, assisting them by earthing up, thinning, etc., and by keeping the soil clear and free from weeds. Also finish the planting of potatoes, Up-to-Date, Abundance and Derwents for preference, and put in at intervals as required for succession, small sowings of main crop of peas, broad beans, radish, lettuce, turnip and other salads. The main crops of beet, carrots, parsnips, scarlet runners, French beans, celery, vegetable marrows, etc., should be sown at once —the two latter on hot beds if possible to hasten their growth. Broccoli, Brussels, sprouts, curled kale, savoy, cabbage, spinach, etc., for winter use should be sown about the middle of the month, on prepared soil, also prick off celery plants about four inches apart into cold frames or protected beds, formed of well decomposed manure, well watered, preparatory to planting out into trenches in December and January. Every advantage should be taken of dry weather to keep the Dutch hoe going, so as to keep weeds in check; these, if allowed to multiply now, will cause much more trouble later on. Tomatoes and cucumbers planted under glass will require very constant attention as regards shading, airing, and watering, and may easily be lost by a little neglect of either when young and tender. Both will require copious supplies of water daily during hot weather.

Fruit Garden. —In dry and exposed gardens all newly-planted fruit trees will be benefited by a mulching of stable manure being placed over the roots, to extend about two feet from the stems of the trees ; shelter also from the prevailing winds should be provided. If short straw or grass be spread between the rows of strawberry plants, besides keeping the fruit clean, it will greatly help the plants during spells of dry weather by retaining moisture in the ground. Apricots and peach trees which promise too heavy crops should be thinned out, leaving one fruit to each joint. This may appear a sacrifice at first, but it is necessary if large and well-ripened fruits be desired. Flower Garden. Arrangements should now be made for stocking the borders with plants for summer and autumn flowering. Dahlias, chrysanthemums, carnations, pansies, verbenas amongst perennials, and stocks, asters, marigolds, phlox drummondi in annuals may all be procured and planted this month, and where a failure has occurred with seeds these afford a good opportunity of replenishing the garden. Growing plants of roses, hollyhocks, etc., will be much benefited by frequent syringing with water ; this also helps to keep down green fly and other insects. If, during dry weather, pansies, carnations and dahlias be occasionally watered with guano water it will cause them to bloom with more freedom and to give larger and finer blooms.

Insect Pests. —For anyone whose greenhouse plants are affected with green fly, thrip, or any of the numerous insect pests they are liable to, we can recommend no insecticide at once so handy and economical as the MacDougall’s tobacco sheets, which, suspended from the roof by springs and ignited, burn slowly, and fumigate very thoroughly. One sheet is sufficient for 1000 cubic feet. For syringing or outdoor work, Gishurst compound, diluted hellebore, or sulphur will each be found simple, safe, and sure.