THE GARDEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17781, 26 February 1926, Page 11

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR ALL SEASONS. KITCHEN GARDEN. Seeds to Sow.—Beans, cabbage, carrot, endive, lettuce, parsley, peas, radish, spinach, turnip. What to Plant.—Broccoli, leeks, savoy, winter greens. Onions.—This crop demands more than ordinary attention. As the bulbs ripen earlier in some districts than others, no hard and fast date can be given as to when they should be pulled up. Experience only can decide this very important question. On retentive soil, the bulbs should be taken up rather earlier than those grown on lighter, well-drained land, more especially if there are indications of ram. If left too late in the autumn on heavy soil, the bulbs may get a little bigger, but strange to say this increase in size is at the expense of - solidity. The best method of harvesting onions is to put them in a damp-proof shed where plenty of air can reach them. When there i§ only a moderate quantity, stringing them and hanging them tip is most economical and effective. Make two samples of the bulbs. Those with thin necks will keep in good condition much longer than those with thick necks. Therefore classify them, the' latter kind for present use, the others later. Prepare the ground for the autumn sowing. Fork it over or put the cultivator through it several times, to get rid of insect pests and sweeten the soil. Potatoes.—-Warning must be given against leaving small and damaged potatoes in the ground. Collect and destroy them and every particle of the haulm. of several kinds may develop in the remnants of the crop if they are left on the ground.

FLOWER GARDEN. Azaleas and rhododendrons that have become unsightly owing to straggling growth should receive attention. The branches may be layered by partly severing the stem and fixing it in position with a strong peg, and covering the'eut with six inches of soil. If more plants are not wanted, just cut off the straggly branches. Hydrangeas.—These popular flowering shrubs may be propagated now. Probably they are more useful for house decoration when in small pots with a large head of bloom. They can be planted in the garden after the blossom is over. Take short, wellripeped shoots about nine inches long, andT put them in sandy soil, either singly in small pots or a number in a box about four to six inches apart. They strike best on a hotbed, where the heat is declining, but they root equally well in a cold frame or an intermediate house. Midhaelmas daisies will soon open their blossoms, and some of the taller varieties may require stakes to keep them in position. They lose much of their / decorative value if they are blown down. Don’t tie the roots in a bunch, like a sheaf of corn. Cover the stake with one or two shoots, then loop the others up to the stake, so that the plant presents a natural appearTall sunflowers, or any other strong growing border plants which need support, should have it at once to preserve the autumn supply of blossoms.

GREENHOUSE. Propagating the supply of t bedding plants for next season must receive attention. The first thing to do is to make a rough plan of the scheme of bedding for next season, and then a calculation of the number of plants required of the various sorts. This is an effective guide as to how many cuttings are wanted. It is not suggested that all the cuttings should be taken at the one time, btit with a little discretion one can take a lot of cuttings without disfiguring the beds and borders. Remember that most cuttings will make root better now than later on, and it is possible to take the top from some of the first batch of rooted cuttings. Later on, zonale geraniums will strike in the open ground, but most of the soft subjects should be put in a cold frame where they can be screened from hot sunshine and drying winds. Give plenty of air, and don’t keep the cuttings too wet.