THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 26

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE FLOWER GARDEN. Flower Seeds to Sow: —Iceland poppy, beauty stock, carnations, sweet peas, dianthus, gallardias, calliopsis, mignonette, Virginia stock. All the above seeds may be sown during July in boxes or in sheltered corners of the garden. Flower Seedlings to Plant: —Antirrhinums, cinerarias, nemesias, verbena, calliopsis, pansy, lobelia, primula, stocks, delphinium. At this time of year antirrhinum plants bedded out make striking displays early in September. Primula malacoides used as a border yields a mass of mauve flowers continually for weeks. Give attention tq verandah and table plants. At this time of year indoor plants generally look yellow and sickly. Rex or foliage begonias may be repotted and new leaves pegged down to produce young plants. Ferns and adiantums should receive a weak solution of liquid manure or plant food. Palms and aspadistras should be kept in the warmest spot available so long as they get fresh air. Make thorough preparations for the coming spring season. Turn over all available ground and well trench with rotted manure. Hoe along the herbaceous borders, but take care not to cut the tops off the spring bulbs. Ornamental shrubs, roses, hedge plants, etc.., should be planted this month if possible. Select your shrubs with care; remember they are to beautify your home. Don’t take the first* one offered to you. Luculia, lasiandria, polygala, ac.mena, poinsettia, and retinospera are six varieties well worth cultivation. Carefully prune rose trees, cutting back all dead growth and unnecessary wood. Mulch the ground well round the roots. Hydrangea trees look ragged at this time of the year. They should be well cult back, just above a swelling bud. By doing this you encourage new flowering stems to break out and also keep compact and tidy trees. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Vegetable Seeds to Sow:—Broad beans, cabbage, carrots, lettuce. parsley, cauliflower, spring onions, turnips, radish, early peas, spinach, tomatoes (under glass). Any of the above seeds can be sown now, weather permitting. Sow thinly in drills as required. Vegetable Plants and Roots to be Set Now:—Cabbage, onions, cauliflower, beets, lettuce, rhubarb, asparagus, garlic, shallots, strawberries and herbs, for Christmas use. Select only the strongest roots available and plant in well-worked and drained ground. Plant all fruit and citrus trees. In exceedingly cold districts citrus planting may be postponed until late August, when the weather may be brighter. If this is the case reserve your trees before the best shaped bushes are snapped up. The whole orchard should undergo a thorough cleaning up. Burn all the old primings in case of any disease, and spray the trees with red oil as a winter dressing. This often kills insects and disease not apparent to the naked eye. Nectarines and peaches may be sprayed later, when the buds begin to swell, with lime and sulphur for leaf curl.

Thin out onions that are too thick and as yet small for planting. Better to sacrifice a few plants now than produce a lot of tall weedy plants. Prepare the ground well. Rotted manure and soot make a fine mixture. Potash mixed through the soil will help to produce onions worth while.

Potatoes may be laid out in trays to sprout. Early Puritan and Arran Chief are two of the best varieties. Place trays in a warm light spot. On no account spread the seed in a dark position as the growth becomes brittle and spindley.