THE HOME GARDEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21789, 19 October 1940, Page 14

THE HOME GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK FLOWER GARDEN Flowering shrubs which have finished should be pruned without delay, if this is necessary. Pruning immediately after flowering allows a whole season’s growth before next season’s flowering period. Early flowering primroses and other primulas may be increased by lifting and dividing up into single crowns before planting in a moist shady place for the summer. Other plants which survive this treatment are phlox subalata varieties, doronicum, aubretia, arabis and omphalodes. Spring flowering plants such as wallflowers and anemones should be sown in a cool place to provide young plants for setting out in the autumn. On account of their woolly nature anemone seeds should be thoroughly mixed with a little coarse sand before sowing. Asters sown now 7 in the open border should germinate very quickly. If grown on without transplanting they will flower in late summer. VEGETABLE GARDEN Keep Lhe hoe going wherever possible among young growing crops, to stimulate growth and keep down w’eeds. Light dressings of sulphate of ammonia or superphosphate carefully hoed or watered in will very soon give results. Broad beans, early peas and early potatoes should be moulded up, as this not only prevents damage by winds but conserves moisture. A dressing of blood and bone manure or suiierphosphate hoed in around bush fruits at this season will repay the trouble at fruiting time. Apply at about tw 7 o ounces per square yard. Do not overlook the necessity of taking all vegetable refuse to the compost heap where it should be covered with a little soil. The whole should be given a dressing of lime before turning. Continue to spray at intervals for the control of codlin moth and fungoid diseases, using the following combination spray: 11b of atomised sulphur to 10 gallons of water, and U dessert spoonsful of arsenate of lead powder per gallon.