THE GARDEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16496, 5 August 1921, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

AAfQRK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Seeds to Sow.-- Brussels sprouts, broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum (in beat), carrot, lettuce, mustard, parsley, parsnip, pea, spinach, tomato (in heath What to Plant.—Cabbage. cauliflower, garlic, potato, rhubarb, scakale. Put the Planet through all growing crops when the soil is drv enough to work. Frequent hoeing will keep seedling weeds down and stimulate the growth of, the young vegetables. The plot for onions should have some attentiou. Fork it over several times between now and the time for sowing the seeds. A liberal dusting with soot is good for this crop. Scatter it ou the quarter just before forking- it. If soot is not available, use lime. Cucumbers must not be overlooked. They are more valuable early iu the spring than early in summer. AY her© there is a rang© of glasshouses, there is little trouble in getting early supplies of cucumbers, hut in the great majority of gardens cold frames are the only means for grow ing cucumbers, and it is surprising how early one can get fair-sized cucumbers with onlv cold frames. Tf there is a supply of stable manure, the best method is to prepare a small heap, and while the seeds are coming up have in readiness a larger quantity of manure for a bigger frame, and. time this to be ready for use when the young plants are big enough to set out. Having prepared the small frame (or hotbed), put two seeds in three-inch pots, and plunge the pots in the manure. If both seeds sprout, discard the weaker, and when the first rough leaf is formed shift the plants into five-inch pots, and plunge these into the manure. The compost for this potting should he light, fibrous and rich. AA’ater sparingly. Jf the manure has been correctly prepared, there will be a constant supply of vapour in the frame. This will afford the greater part of moisture required by the young plants at this stage. In preparing the manure for the second or larger bed. it should bo remembered that its purpose is to supply bent for a long time all through the spring, when the weather is very variable. The only way io

secure this is by careful preparation and having a. large ouautitv of suitable manure and a quantity of tree leaves thoroughly mixed with the manure. This heap should be turned, and thoroughly shaken a number of times before it is built into shape. The number of turnings necessary depends on the quantity of ammonia there is in ! the manure. The object of turning j and shaking the mauurc is to fix the ! heating or burning qualities io the • manure so that there is a steady ferj mentation for a long time instead of a. rapid burning condition for a few weeks. When the largo heap is built, and the frame put on it, cover the surface with a few inches of rotted turf and a little leaf mould. Put one i plant in the centre of each light, i Don’t, make a hole in the manure; just set the plant on the surface and pack ! the soil compost against it, forming a mound. AVater sparingly. Too much water will cause the plants to “ damp off,” and too little will only result in the flagging or wilting of the leaves. The plants should make rapid growth, i and this should be regulated. AA hen i the second wee fruit is visible pinch off the end of each shoot. FLOWER GARDEN. A'ogctntion is fast becoming active. The buds on many trees are_ bursting, herbaceous plants arc pushing up their I now growths, and bulbs are lifting the soil with their leaves. Grass on lawns is growing very fast and should have attention. Cut it often, but not too closely. If there are inequalities in the surface put these right by careful rolling and top-dressing. Cso the roller with discretion. The sole cf grass must be the guide as to whether a heavy or a light implement should be used. Examine all climbing plants and securely fasten the main shoots to their supports. 'The season for strong winds will soon arrive, and the fastening material will then be sorely tried, i R several small shoots are broken by j strong winds the damage/ is but little. | but if any of the main branches are broken big gaps arc left, aml these ■"ill take a long time to cover. Many of the evergreen climbing plants should l»e cut hard back during this month. All the honeysuckle? need severe pruning. Cut them right back to the main shoots. New grow ths w ill soon come from these, and those will give better foliage and more flowers than the small shoots. Unfortunately many of these useful climbing plants arc na.dly neglected. They are left to grow- as they can without attention, with the result that each plant makes a mass of thin shoots at the highest point. Many of the lower growths perish ior want of light and moisture, and they look more like big bundles of rubbish than part of an ornamental climbing plant. Solanums and other fast growing plants should bo cut hard back every spring to securo fresh, strong young growths. ANSWERS TO CORESPONDENTS. Sumner. —Yes, there is a big risk °f trouble from tin’s peat in every part of Sumner no matter whether potatoes have been grown on the same quarter or not. The moth that lays the eggs (larva?) will travel some distance to find a suitable breeding place. It is more persistent in some seasons than in others. The early varieties suffer less than the late, because they are lifted before the grubs come to a state ol activity. Spraying the plants with a strong insecticide will keep the pesl in check.