THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 32

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

among the vegetables GARDENING A PLEASURE.—In a climate such as ours there is no excuse if garden culture is a neglected hobby and with tire coming of daylight saving, the true enthusiasts delight that one more half-hour a day will be spent in their beloved gardens. SOW LEEKS NOW.—Many growers plant leeks at the wrong season of the year. The seed should be sown now in drills, similar to onions, and transplanted during February for winter use. PUMPKINS AND CUCUMBERS.—Sowings of cucumbers, marrow's, pumpkins, citron, rock and water melons should now be made. Never be tempted to buy plants of these, as they receive too big a shock in the carrying home and transplanting. If a packet of seed is sown they will soon succeed the plants. SAVING SPACE.—Between the row's of peas and beans thin drills of radish, spinach, beet and lettuce may be sown. At hen used as companion crops much space can be saved in the smaller Bald pLANTS TO SET.—Continue planting out tomatoes, cabbage, kumeras, cape gooseberries and lettuce plants. Earlier tomatoes already established will require close watching. Remove ail side Growth as it forms to prevent weakening the main stem. ° SEEDS TO £OW.—Sow seeds of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, borecole, celery, capsicum, lettuce, swedes, etQ. If sreen crops are to be ready for winter use, do not neglect to sow* this month. Broad beans should be sprayed with lime and sulphur to prevent rust When preparing this mixture do not forget to apply it to the potato crops and kill two birds with the one stone. FRUIT TREES.—Spray apple trees with arsenate of lead ■ o check the codiin moth. Lime and sulphur should be applied to the peaches and nectarines for curly leaf. The strawberry beds should be laid with clean straw* to keep developing berries off the soil. Backward plants can receive a weak solution of nitrate ot soaa round the roots. AMONG THE FLOWERS MORE MOISTURE.—Warmer days and less rain may now be expected and the gardeners will do well to resort to judicious surface cultivation to give the growing crops the encouragement they require. Mulching and root soakings are far more satisfactory than tantalising drops. , .. HARDY CREEPERS.—Now is the best season for planting out all creepers. The following are evergreen and quick growers: Dolichos. tacsonia, bignonia, mandevillea. INDOOR PLANTS.—Ferns and pot plants are now throwing out their spring growth. A weak solution of potash and ammonia will help to strengthen the foliage. Carefully watch for any sign of aphis on the stalks and spray with Black Leaf 40. PLANTS AND SEEDS TO SET.—Flower seeds to sow now: Celosia portulacca, sunflower, zinnia, petunia, phlox, lupins, hunnemania, salvia, verbena. Flower plants to transplant now: Asters, petunias, poppy, antirrhinum, lobelia, phlox, calliopsis, delphinium, chrysanthemums and dahlias. 'URGENT WORK.—Sweet peas are now commencing to flower freely. Constant applications of potash, ammonia and superphosphate in liquid form will prolong the flowering period and give colour to the blooms. ... . . . Roses are now showing plenty of buds. Thinning out is essential if large blooms are required. Pick off the side buds and spray with Black Leaf 40 to kill aphis and spider that may appear. DELPHINIUMS. —Delphinium clumps are now beginning to throw their flower spikes. Protect them from slugs and use liquid manure each week. This will produce spikes that even the professional gardener will be proud to exhibit.