THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 840, 7 December 1929, Page 34

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

THE KITCHEN GARDEN The gardens are now calling for frequent hoeings. Peas and beans want watering twice a week if continued hacking is wanted Those gardeners who followed our advice about mulching aie now reaping the benefit. It is not too late to start now. . After a good watering strew rotted manure and vegetation ffund the roots of those varieties that suffer most from drought. Phis keeps the moisture in the ground. „„„„ Continue setting out the following plants: Tomatoes, cape gooseberries, kumeras. cucumber, pumpkin, cabbage and lettuce. A dull day is the best fot transplanting, and puddle the plants in. Gather the pods of peas and beans as they mature, otherwise the plants will stop bearing. Continue making sowings of the above at intervals of a fortnight. Runner beans may still be set. Sow the following seeds if not already planted. Pie and citron melon, rock and water melon, radish, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, borecole, red cabbage and ceiery. . , , .. Feed heavy-cropping fruit trees with liquid manure and hoe the weeds clear of the roots. Pick the strawberries as they ripen and water well. AMONG THE FLOWERS Gladioli are now tiowering well. Many spikes will not reach perfection unless ample waterings are given. Apply at night after the heat of the day. „ , ‘ , Carnation plants should now be disbudded if large blooms are required. Spray the foliage with lime and sulphur if any sign of rust appears and, above all, water well. Dahlia plants may be pinched back to induce branching out. Chrysanthemums should be manured and treated with a weak solution of lime and sulphur for rust. _ . , Sow portulacca and Tom Thumb nasturtium seed for border and rock-work. Both these varieties stand the dry summer climate. Many annuals are now available for making a bright show after Christmas. , , , , , . Celosia or feathered cockscomb should be planted out at once, 12 inches apart. Scarlet and yellow are the prevailing shades. Zinnias are excellent warm weather plants, but require a fair amount of water. Plant out 18 inches apart. Marigolds, African and French, are, perhaps, the hardiest of all summer plants. They stand dry days and thrive in any soil. Plant the French six inches apart and the African 18 inches. They bloom for weeks- and can be used very effectively when grown together.