HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 September 1939, Page 3

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Sow the main crop of carrots during September, but small, frequent sowing should be made of the short varieties for pulling while young. Plant out the remainder of the autumn-sown onions ;and make sowings for later crops for pulling green. Sow main-crop potatoes as soon as the land is dry enough to work. Plant out cabbage and cauliflower and make sowings of lettuce seed. Sow asparagus in drills 18 inches apart; the plants will be transplanted next spring. The coming month is one of the busiest for seed sowing in the vegetable garden. Sow more peas, red beet and parsnip. FLOWER GARDEN. Sow plenty of hardy annuals in vacant places; these should be sown thinly and well thinned out for the best results. Renovate patchy lawns by sowing more seed on a sprinkling of rich soil. Mow the lawn regularly, choosing dry days; then there is less injury to the sward. Give the flower borders a light hoeing when weather permits. Dahlia roots should be placed on a warm, sunny border to start into growth before the dividing into smaller portions for planting. Spring-flowering subjects should now be in full bloom; remove the blooms as they fade to prolong the display. Plant out sweet peas raised in pots or boxes for late summer flowering. FRUIT GARDEN. Fruit tree planting should be completed as soon as possible; growth will soon be starting. Citrus trees can be planted for some time yet. Keep a humid temperature in the vinery when the vines are starting into growth. Graft over any unprofitablejtrees when the sap is rising. Now is a good time for an application of fertilisers to the fruit trees. When the best bunching shoots can be distinguished, the weaker ones can be rubbed off. Tomatoes coming into, flower will need'more ventilation to pollinate the blooms. /