THE WEEK’S WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19268, 3 January 1931, Page 21 (Supplement)

THE WEEK’S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. All beds and borders should be trim and neat, the plants staked and the surface free of weeds. Clear away any spent plants and fill up the space with fresh plants. Mulching in some form is a great benefit during the summer, especially with plants that suffer from drought. Two or three inches of fine loose soil, the result of hoeing, is a good mulch available in every garden. Pick off daily spent blooms of Roses, Sweet Peas, etc. The removal of the spent flowers goes a long way to keep a plant flowering during hot weather. Border Carnations are now flowering freely and will need attention to staking and tying. Chrysanthemums will be making nice growth. Those grown for decorative purposes should be stopped. Hydrangeas are now in flower and should receive attention to watering. The newer varieties are especially fine. Zinnias, Scarlet Salvias, Verbenas, French and African Marigolds, Asters, can be planted. Bulbs that have died down can be lifted. Freesias and some ot the early Daffodils are ready. . Lift Iris tingitana and let them lie in the sun to get thoroughly Make P sowtags of Aquilegias, Canterbury Bells, Sweet Williams. Prepare a sandy compost and get all material ready for starting Carnation layering.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Fill in any vacancies in the beds of Melons, Pumpkins, etc. Make further sowings of Runner and Dwarf Beans. As soon as any crops are over clear away the refuse and prepare the ground for another crop. Further sowings of Peas can be made. Keep the surface soil of the Onion bed loose and free of weeds. Plant out Celery as soon as the plants are ready. Shade the plants with a few macrocarpa branches for a. few days after planting. Make small sowings of Lettuce and Radish. Plant out Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli, Savoys and other winter greens. Tomatoes should be sprayed and disbudded. Further plantings can should be thinned as soon as the plants are large enough.