THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 388, 23 June 1928, Page 28

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE FLOWER GARDEN ROSE MONTH—Set the plants now. In the range of operations carried out by the rosarian there is none more important than the correct method of planting. Faulty settings are bad, for no attention which the plants afterwards receive will entirely overcome the ill effects resulting from careless rose planting. The two best months for setting these plants are June, before the "weather becomes too wet, and August, before the early spring growth starts. in planting dig a hole 15 inches deep and eight inches wide. Fill the bottom with good virgin or surface soil, moulding the earth to a little golf mound in the centre. Set the plant on top of this spreading the roots out and firming the soil round them. In planting new subjects pick out varieties that are hardy and strong growers, such as the Dickson family From time to time interesting articles will appear on the cultivation of roses for the different seasons. Shrubs are delightful for every garden. They make the permanent features of the grounds. Subjects may be planted now that will bloom at all periods fo the year, yielding masses of colour and brightness to any home. Before planting, dig a hole large enough to easily take the roots of the chosen subject. Loosen the subsoil and well manure the ground. Six worthy specimens for small gardens are eriostemon. scented white flowers; daphne, white and pink, boronia, yellow, brown or pink; erica or heath, all shades; bouvardia, IS varieties and choysia, a pretty tree. Many hardy annuals may he planted for an early display such as poppies Iceland, primula malacoides, pansies, violas, cinerarias, anemones and ranunculus. Dig the soil over well and provide sufficient drainage. Perennials are worthy subjects for setting for later flowering such as aquiligia, Canterbury bells, bellis perennis, delphiniums, sweet William, etc. Hedges should be attended to. Gardeners wishing to plant fresh shelter rows should commence opening out a trench to receive the plants. Established shelter belts should be looked over and fresh specimens planted where growth is thin. Gardeners who are looking for a back shelter fence, anything from 5 to 10 feet could not do better than plant hakea saligna, a cheap and quick growing tree. Primrose and polyanthus clumps may be lifted and divided setting out the fresh stock 6 inches apart. Lily of the valley crowns are now ready for shifting. Cannas are useful and hardy subjects for rock and border work, procurable in many new and bright shades. Have you seen the new chiffon daisy, a large white bloom with beautiful fluted petals? The growth is dwarf and compact, making a great shown in the summer. Set the plants now. Ferns and pot plants are now almost dormant in growth and will need careful attention. The bush house must not be dark through the winter months. Allow as much light as possible to filter through' the roof and sides. Inspect the bottoms of the pots and see that the drainage hole is not blocked so that the winter rains shall not fill the pots with water and so rot the roots. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Early peas (William Hurst) may now be sown where the soil conditions will allow, but it is no good attempting to sow the seed where the ground is very wet, but on volcanic ground and protected from frosts this will be a very profitable crop. Where early peas will succeed, early potatoes will flourish. Procure the seed now and spread out in trays in the sun to sprout. Commence now planting loganberries. This is one of the most profitable crops the amateur can grow. With a little attention large crops can be procured. Loganberries must be trained, not left to run wild, and for this purpose should be planted along an old fence or wall. Set the plants 6 feet apart and tie the growths out fan-shaped as they grow. Strawb€>rries, asparagus and rhubarb are three important plantings that should take place this month. All these are excellent subjects that contain properties the human system requires. Rhubarb Topps Winter is a small stalked but sweet variety bearing all the yea-r round. Giant Victoria bears larger stalks through the summer months. The following root crops may be still set if the ground is at all workable:—Carrots, beet and onions. Green crops such as spinach, silver beet, lettuce, parsley, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard and cress must be sown at once. Early tomato seed may be set in a box or glass frame if the amateur wishes to raise his own.