THE WEEK’S WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20541, 16 February 1935, Page 29 (Supplement)

THE WEEK’S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. A very welcome rain, but, like Oliver Twist, some more please. Hoeing will be necessary to control seedling weeds which will come up. Sowings of hardy annuals can be made. These produce the best plants for next season’s planting. Sowings of Iceland Poppies, Polyanthus, Calendula, Mignonette can be made. Border Carnation layers will benefit from the rain, and the new beds should be prepared for them. Cut off spent flowers of Zinnias, Marigolds, etc. If there is any life left the may start again. Chrysanthemums will spraying, disbudding and watering. Plant Freesias, Lachenalias, Belladonna Lilies and Lilium candidum. Disbud Dahlias. Spraying for thrips and caterpillars is necessary. Prepare ground for early-flowering Sweet Peas. Sow at end of month. Lift Gladioli as soon as foliage begins to yellow. Plant Tulips, Hyacinths, Narcissus, Anemones, Ranunculus and other spring flowering bulbs. Carry on with preparations for new lawns. Seed can be sown end of month. Finish layering Carnations.

THE GREENHOUSE. Gloxinias will begin to go over, gradually withhold water. Begonias in full bloom should have weak manure water. Cuttings of Fuchsias, Geraniums, Bedding Calceolarias, Heliotropes, Petunias, Coleus can be planted. Pot up Lachenalias. One or two hanging baskets of these are fine for the greenhouse. An early batch of Narcissi, Hyacinths, Tulips should be potted. Cyclamen can be repotted and started for growth. Palms should be examined for white scale. Dip or paint the leaves with insecticide. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Clear away any crops that are spent. The rain will have made it possible to prepare ground for sowing. Where crops have failed owing to the dry weather, prepare to sow again. Make a sowing of Lettuce. Sow thinly, manure well, and do not transplant. Cabbage sown thinly on well-manured ground and grown without transplanting are usable within a few weeks. Any seedling crops should be weeded, thinned and cultivated to encourage a free growth. > Celery must be watered. Planting in trenches can be done. Harvest Potatoes, Onions, Shallots that are ready. Sowings of Carrots, Beet, Spinach, Turnips, Swedes can b« made. Make a sowing of Dwarf Beans. Disbud and tie Tomatoes. Spray for caterpillars. Leeks can be planted, al/.o Savoys and other winter cabbage. THE FRUIT GARDEN. As soon as Plums and Peaches are gathered spray trees to control leech, etc. Commence summer pruning of stone fruits. Thin out the shoots that have fruited. Loosen the ligatures on budded stocks if too tight. Break off any shoots below the scion on grafted trees. All kinds of fruit trees and bushes will benefit if sprayed with arsenate of lead. 2 Teaspoons per gallon water.