THE GARDEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12726, 22 August 1919, Page 5

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Seeds to Sow.—Beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, capsicum, carrot, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, spinach, tomato, turnip. "What to Plant.—Garlic, herbs, lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, seakale. shallots. The frequent showers of rain will retard the sowing of small seeds, hut it is much the best practice to wait, and make success certain, than to risk the small seeds in cold, wet soil. It is good for the country that these good 1 heavy showers fall now, rather than next month, therefore gardeners should uo patient and make readv for a heavv seed-sowing soon. Birds are fond of young plants oi spinach, and often, after having a good teed, they pull a lot of young plants up, one would think just for sheer mischief. Tlie practice leaves big blanks of the rows. A liberal dusting with soot will make the plants unpalatable to- the birds while stimulating the growth of the crop. Tomato plants in unheated houses should be kept on the dry side during wet weather, but they must have ventilation to keep them strong and healthy, lake advantage of every hour of sunshine to open wide the ventilators, closing them when a cloud obscures the sun. A number of growers do not think this air-givmg necessary. They say the plants grow 7 faster if the ventilators are kept closed, because the temperature is higher. . But a little observation will prove that the only difference is the space between the leaves. The plants draw,-’ making a greater length of stem between the joints, which is' not epod for the plants or the crpp. Make an effort to finish planting rhubarb, seakale and horse-radish as soon as possible. The longer growing season they have the hotter; EARLY YTNERY. Stopping the laterals will need constant attention. Pinch the points of cadi off two leaves beyond the bunch of and do this as soon as the second leaf is formed. Don’t wait until the and sometimes ■ the lourth, is formed, because this is ■wasting the energy of the vine. The object of stopping is to concentrate the loi ce of the vine into developing and maturing its fruit. Therefore what stopping and pinching are necessary should be done at the earliest possible moment. Examine the vines two or three times each week, and pinch out the points as soon as the second leaf past the bunch is formed. Examine the border to make sure the soil is wet enough- If the vines are planted outside they will not require water for a long time, hut most of the early vines are planted inside. If the soii is dry give it a good soaking, and keep it moist from now’ until the grapes are in flower. Where the vines are very near the glass the laterals should he carefully drawn away with fine raffiai or worsted. This must he done with much care, because there is great risk of breaking them if much strain is put on them. Tie gently, at first, and after a few days shorten the raffia,. Of course the most satisfactory way is to suspend the canes some two feet from the glass. This will avoid the risky tying and ensure the tender shoots safety from frost. FLOWER GARDEN. The showery weather has retarded sowing grass seeds, but this may prove beneficial, as the heavy rains will compact the soil to such an 'extent that very little settlement will take place after the seed is sown. The surface soil will require a little more cultivating before the seed is sown. All topdressing should be finished as soon as possible. October will soon arrive, when the lawn will be required for croquet and tennis. With reference to top-dressing, don't he in a hurry to roll the lawn after putting a quantity of fresh soil on the surface. Work the soil between the blades of grass, by passing the hack of a garden rake to and fro. Then leave it for two or three weeks, until the grass plants have pushed their young shoots through the top-dressing, before the roller is put over it.

Rose pruning is in full swing. This work deserves much greater attention than it receives, but there is an improvement on the old-time “ clipping ’ : all one way. every variety alike. Keep a sharp look out for scale, and if any are detected spray the plant. This pest is increasing very fast, and all gardeners should urge a rutlilesa war against it.

GREENHOUSE. Pelargoniums of the decorative, show and fancy 'varieties are growing fast, and should have plenty of ro'om to develop. If they are crowded they suffer much harm. ’ If there is not enough room for them all in the glasshouse, put a number out in a cold frame, where they will thrive well, hut rather slower than those in the house. This may prove advantageous, because they will come in when the others arc past their best.

Palms that need repotting should hare this attention soon. These plants do not require, over big pots. With good soil and careful attention unite largo specimens can be grown in moderate pots- It is a good method to turn each plant out from its pot, remove as much of the soil as possible without injuring the roots, and. return the plants, filling the’ pot with fresh soil. Of course several of the most vigorous must have larger pots, but keep them in small sizes as lone as nossible. Ferns should he repotted, top-dressed, or divided, according to the variety and the condition the plants are in. Adiantnms in small pots should have a liberal shift. Give the fine fronded varieties pots two sizes larger than those they are now in. The stronger growing varieties should have r£)ts three sizes larger if the plants are in a vigorous condition. Plants that have not been divided for some tears should be pulled to pieces and repotted into small pots. Mix a <mod compost. Rich loam and rotted turf "and a little leaf mould, with K ome coarse sand, will suit these plants much better than a light, peaty compost.