HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1939, Page 9

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES WORK FOR THE WEEK FLOWER GARDEN. Sow Hollyhocks, Delphiniums and Antirrhinums. Make and plant new beds of Roses. -Plant Ten Week and Beauty Stocks. Plant Wichuriana and other Climbing Roses. Prune Dwarf Roses and also tie up climbing varieties. Get all beds and borders manured and dug. Plant a few Gladiolus bulbs for early flowering. Keep the soil stirred among the bulbs above ground. The new year of the gardener begins with this month; supplies of the necessary seeds should be ordered, to be on hand when required. Cuttings of ornamental shrubs may be inserted where it is required to increase the stock. Shrubs and climbers attached to walls and trellis should be examined and the ties renewed. In favourable weather plant roses and other shrubs, but do not plant while the soil is in a sodden condition. Plant hedges, first breaking up the soil to a sufficient depth and width; remember it will not be possible to dig the soil again for a long time. VEGETABLE GARDEN. Make up new Rhubarb beds. Prepare ground for new Asparagus beds. Sow Mustard and Cress. The ground for Onions should be well trenched. Place seed Potatoes in shallow trays to sprout. Sow early Peas and plant a few Potatoes on well-drained land. Sow Broad Beans. Keep seedling Onions weeded. Plant Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, etc. Sow Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Spinach, Turnips and Carrots. Break up and manure any new ground for future cropping, as well as any land from which the crops have been taken. Keep a close watch on the early-sown Peas, and as soon as they are through the soil protect from birds with rows of black cotton. Any land sown in green crops in autumn should now be dug and the crop turned under to decay. No rubbish should be left on the ground to harbour slugs and other pests. Trench a piece of ground deeply where it is intended to grow a crop of parsnips. FRUIT GARDEN. Continue to prune and spray in favourable weather. Planting of new trees can also be done when the soil is not sodden. Any replanting or root pruning should be done as soon as possible. Collect all pruning; also any fallen and decaying fruit. Spray with caustic soda wash to control moss and lichen. Goosberries are hungry subjects and will appreciate a heavy dressing of farmyard manure. Look over the raspberries, cutting out any bad canes; also remove the weak unripe tips. If lime or basic slag is required for the fruit trees, this should be applied at once.