THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1034, 26 July 1930, Page 28

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

AMONG THE FLOWERS SEEDS IN BOXES.—It is not advisable to make outdoor sowings yet, but the following seeds may be sown in boxes and covered with glass: Calliopsis, carnations, candytuft, dianthus, larkspur, phlox, antirrhinums, poppies, stocks, cinerarias and pansy. Sand should be sprinkled on top of the soil before sowing to help the young seedlings to root. GENERAL WORK.—The digging and trimming up of beds and borders should be done this month Care should be taken not to damage, the roots of plants too much with the spade. Keep the hoe busy in places where the spade will not be suitable. The rains would be helpful for washing in artificial manures dusted on the ground surface. PLANTING SHRUBS.—Now is the best time to commence this work. In planting shrubs thorough preparation of the soil and liberal application of stable manure, lime or fertiliser will be well repaid by strong, vigorous and healthy growth. Some good subjects to set are azaleas, boronias, cliantbus, daphne, ericas, luculia, wattles and gums. CREEPERS.—Perennial ornamental and flowering' creepers may be planted from now on. Old fences and brick walls may be made 100 per cent, more attractive if covered with the right plants. For covering stone or concrete foundations ficus is unexcelled. This hardy creeper is an evergreen and clings to the wall without any support. Virginian creeper, both large and small leafed, is also good where gardeners wish the leaves to fall during the cold, wet months. Flowering creepers that are showy include bignonia, several varieties;.cobea. blue; mandevillea, white; kennedya, pink; akebiA. brown; and tacsonia, scarlet. ANNUALS TO PLANT.—Plants are now available of stock, pansy, everlastings, viola, lobelia, calliopsis, gaillardia, poppy, cornflower. mimulus and verbena. PERENNIALS TO PLANT.—Helenium, bronze; Michaelmas daisy, blue and white; calceolaria, golden glow; cannas, lily of the valley, carnations. PRUNING DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS.—This section requires on the whole more pruning than the evergreens, many of the plants belonging to it being more straggling in habit. In young plants the growth of strong wood should be the principal consideration, and no more branches must be left than are necessary With mature plants the chief aim should be to have them symmetrical in shape, with the foliage and flowers evenly distributed, and any rank growing or misplaced shoots should be removed. THE KITCHEN GARDEN THINNING OUT .—Earlier sown crops of onions, spinach, silver beet, etc., will now require thinning out or transplanting to their permanent quarters. Ground to be used for cultivation of onions should be manured heavily with potash. Spinach and silver beet should be manured with superphosphate and blood and bone. * SEEDS TO SOW .—ln warm, sheltered corners early peas may bo sown such as William Ilurst and Little Gem. Broad beans are quite hardy and may be planted almost anywhere. A pinch of lettuce seed may be sown in sunny corners and thinned out when large enough. When sowing seeds at this time of the year avoid setting in the shade of fences or trees. PLANT SMALL FRU ITS.—Gooseberry, Farmer’s Glory, is the best garden variety to set now. Loganberries are excellent for covering back fences arid tree stumps. Guavas are both ornamental and useful in the garden and will bear the first year after planting. The former two varieties are easily grown and only require pruning back well from year to year. FALLEN LEAVES.—At this time of the year there is generally heaps of fallen leaves lying about the garden and vegetable stalks and tops. These should all be preserved and heaped together to make a compost heap. This heap may be used to advantage later in the spring for forming cucumber and pumpkin mounds. • THINGS TO PLANT.—Continue planting strawberries before it is too late. Asparagus roots may be set .'it once. Rhubarb roots may be lifted and divided and replanted. Bulbs of shallots, garlic and potato onions should be set for early salad use. Tomato seed should be planted in boxes for raising seedlings for the coming seasonl FRUIT TREES.—I iefore the sup starts to rise get busy with the secateurs and remove the useless and dead wood on the fruit trees. A winter spraying with Red Oil would be beneficial to all trees.