THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 14

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

THE FLOWER GARDEN MANURING SPRING BULBS.—Anemones and ranunculus are now well advanced and a little help at this stage will force along early blooms. A light dressing of blood and bone forked round the root's will be beneficial. Liquid manure and superphosphate may be given to backward daffodils to stimulate the growth. Artificial manures should never be given to bulbs while they are dormant, but at this stage no harm will be done. MANURING GENERALLY.—Most ground will benefit with a dressing of White Island No. 1. This purifies the soil and kills dormant germs that may be there. Keep -the surface soil constantly stirred with the hoe. This allows the ground to quickly dry up and the little sun now available to penerate to the roots of the plants. Well-rotted manure and leaves dug in will provide food for the plants until early spring. PLANT TREES NOW.—Gardeners contemplating the planting of trees should do so without delay. Ornamental and flowering shrubs are always an asset to every home. Dig the ground deeply, loosening the subsoil and placing rotted manure at the base of the tree. A little trouble taken with the planting is well worth while as the tree has to remain permanently in the one spot and gardeners will surely reap the rewards of their labours later. Plant now: Azaleas, camellias, boronias, bouvardias, scarlet gums, roses, rhododendrons and hosts of equally attractive varieties. HARDY ANNUALS.—It is not every annual that can be transplanted successfully during this wet, cold period. Still, gardeners must plant now if a spring show is to be obtained. Calendulas are excellent for setting now in open beds. The flowers are orange and yellow, ball-shaped. They are excellent for massing together. Plant eight inches apart. For borders nothing will beat the hardy primula malacoides. The dainty flowers are borne in great profusion and bloom from August onward. Nemesia, antirrhinums, cornflowers, larkspur and callopsis are all bad-weather subjects. PERENNIALS AND ROSES.—Plant new varieties of Michaelmas daisies, cannas and other showy perennials. Old-established clumps may be lifted and divided, replanting only the young crowns. Creepers for covering unsightly fences can be set at once. Bougainvillea, kennedya, tacsonia, dolichos, cobea scandens are all suitable varieties. Roses should now be pruned, ciftting away all ingrowing shoots and dead wood. New varieties may be planted where required and a general liming of the soil given. SEEDS TO SOW.—Outdoor sowing is practically useless owing to the heavy rains and damp condition of the soil, but several varieties may be sown under cover in seed-pans or boxes. Sow the seed on a fine sandy surface and cover lightly with good soil. The following may be sown at once: Cineraria, antirrhinum, stocks, poppies, pansy, viola, delphinium, carnation, lobelia, clarkea, godetia and lupins. THE KITCHEN GARDEN SMALL FRUITS.—SmaII fruits are an important asset in the kitchen garden. Guavas make a fine hedge along the back path. They are easily grown and make fine jam. If 3*oll have an unsightly fence plant a few loganberries or passion fruit. Why waste any space? Gooseberries—Farmer’s Glory—do well if properly manured and cut back every year. All the above plants may be set at once. IMPORTANT CROPS.—Broad beans should now be set in drills. They’ are very hardy and easily grown. By sowing now you escape the bumble-bee and rust pests. Broad Windsor and Long Pod are the two leading varieties. Rhubarb should be planted now for summer use in the richest ground possible. It is impossible to over-manure this crop. Asparagus roots can now be set in raised rows; procure two or three-year-old roots if possible. EARLY CROPS]-—Gardeners lucky enough to possess smal 7 glasshouses or frames may make a sowing of early tomatoes fo planting out later. Where bottom heat is available, cape goose berries may be attempted. In gardens sheltered from frosti early potatoes should be planted. Lay the seed out to shoot befor setting. Dwarf green peas can be set at intervals of two or thre weeks to maintain a continuous crop. William Hurst is the best. FRUIT TREES.—Pruning of all deciduous trees should be car ried out this month before the sap stai'ts to rise. Winter sprayin with Red Oil is an excellent thing for the trees, killing man dormant pests hiding in the bark. Varieties affected with mos. should be treated with lime and sulphur, using a handful of sal to every gallon of fluid used. Citrus trees attacked by scale can bs cured by using Red Oil. SEEDS AND PLANTS TO SET.—Herbs such as sage, thyme and marjoram should be planted at once for Christmas seasoning. Old clumps may be cut back to promote new growth. Seedlings of onions, cabbage, cauliflowers and silver beet may be transplanted in any available ground. Lupins and oats sown in the early autumn for green manure may be dug in before they* flower. In the warmest part of the garden a sowing of carrots, spring onions, lettuce, red beet and spinach may be made. PLANT FRUIT TREES.—AII fruit trees and shelter hedges should be planted without delay: Apples, peaches, plums, nectarines, lemons, oranges, apricots, loquats, etc. Well trench the ground, making the hole for planting large enough to hold the roots when spread out, without cramping. Firm the soil well round the base and if in a windy situation stake until established.