Gardening Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18533, 15 July 1922, Page 10

Gardening Notes

By

“HUMUS”

V EGET ABLE-C U LTU R E By the time these notes are published eiiily cabbages should be well advancedin growth, but any one not having plantiki may still do so. The kinds referred u are those of Flower of the Spring type, which are very small and head early. They may be planted 12 ins. apart in rows about 20 in. or 22 in. apart. This allows ample room, the plants not. being likely to cover the space between the rows. The purpose of these small varieties is to supply very early heads. Cutting should begin as soon as the heads are well folded, not waiting fur full development. About the second week in July two rows of carrots may be sown between each two rows of cabbages. The cabbage-stumps can be drawn when the. heads are taken, so that when the cabbages are used up the carrots occupy the ground, thus giving two crops with one preparation of the soil. Lai ger varieties of ’ cabbage to succeed the early varieties! shoukj be planted at once or within the next lew weeks, in order to supply a I succession of heads. k CAULIFLOWERS. There are two types—the smallheaded, which come to heads in a compara lively short time, and the largeheaded, that take longer time to make heads. There are two periods when cauliflowers have a special value, whether it be in the private or the market garden : these are from early spring to well into December, and in the autumn. By the end of December—earlier in some places—French beans come in to supplement- peas. Cauliflowers are of less value while these supplies last, but when they are gone cauliflowers are again appreciated. The earliest to head are the small varieties, such as Early London, Early Eclipse. Snowball. Etc. These varieties, being so quick in beading, are liable to head prematurely, and they therefore require special care. Ju a former issue it was advised that the seedlings should be pricked off as soon as they could be handled, or, as an alternative. that the plants should be thinned to prevent crowding* To prevent premature heading, or buttoning, it. is necessary to keep the plants growing with the least possible cheek. When plants are drawn front a crowded bed they have very few roots, and those they have are more or less broken in lifting. Such plants are some time getting a hold on the soil, and a considerable check results. When the young seedlings have been pricked off there is practically no check from transplanting. as they have a good supply of roots, and they are not injured in lifting. When the plants have commenced to grow freely a little nitrate of soda will push them on. At the same time as the early sorts are planted, or soon after, a planting of a large kind should be made. These take longer to head, and will succeed the earlies. There is practically no danger of the former bolting, but they also should be pushed on by giving nitrate of soda ; it pays, owing to the larger heads produced. By huger kinds the Autumn Giant types are meant. Early Erfurt is not a true early, though classed as such in some catalogues. It is a large-headed variety coming a little quicker than the Autumn Giant types. It is on that account a valuable sort to grow where a continuous heavy supply is of importance. The autumn supply previously mentioned is provided for by sowing seeds about the middle of September.

I LETTUCES. I Lettuces should be planted in quantity; they will come in. at a time when j most appreciated. Sow more seed as' soon as the soil is fit. ]n places subject j to hard frost the seeds are best sown ' under a glass light, but the open ground is preferable where this is j»os- j sible. PEAS. Early in July sow a dwarf kind fori first use. At the same time tow a medium tall variety to succeed the j dwarf. When these are veil through the ground sow again a medium or taller variety, and from then onward till January sow every fortnight. ONIONS Where th© soil and climate are suitable, onions should bo sown in .July. The best time for sowing, of course, varies considerably in different districts. It is useless to sow until conditions of soil and climate are right, but I the earlier this is the greater the chan- ! ecs of success. Sowing should never ' bo done until the surface soil is sufficiently dry to secure i good seed-bed. Planting out autumn-sown plants should also be done as soon as th© soil is in a tit state. CARROTS. A first sowing should lie mad© as soon as possible, as those now growing run io seed in spring. This occurs regardless of when they were sown, summer or autumn. Early Horn varieties are best for tin? first crop, as they are usable while very young. SHALLOTS AND GARLIC. Shallots and garlic should be planted at once. Press the bulbs into the surface of finely pulverized soil, leaving th© top visible. Plant 10 in. apart in rows 12 in. apart. If the doves of shallots are broken off from the parent bulb and planted about 4 in. apart in rows they come along quickly and make a very good substitute for spring onions. Onions that are not keeping well may be planted out, the green i tops being useful for flavouring purposes.

EDGING PLANTS. The present is a suitable time for laying edgings of such plants as box, polyanthas and primroses, daisies, variegated lemon, thyme, armerias or sea pinks, and ccheverias. Although late violet* may also be planted*fc»- edging purposes Strong crowns will produce a good display of flowers late in the season and : will make good strong plants for the following year. Box, so largely used for ! small gardens, has gone out of fashion. Wheu neatly clipped it looks well, but is objectionable here where slugs arc so troublesome during the early spring months, as it forms suitable harbours for these pests. Primroses and polyanthus are old-fashioned favourites that are still indispensable for edgings. They are exceedingly hardy'and make such a lovely display and are so refreshing! when in full flower They continue, too. for a c onsiderable time and supply useful flowers for cutting purposes. Daisies the double rod and double white flowered kinds, are still popular. Cowslips may be classed with polyanthus. Violets are everybody’s favourites. Dwarf variegated geraniums form attractive edgings ; the spring is the best time to plant them. Echeverias

have become generally planted aixi • servedly so as they are t he best <■! ing plants with their pretty resell' forms. They gradually inerva - v sending outside growths until the/' duce a close, thick border of rosettes They keep th* soil . working on to the path<. ’I b*'V are ■ foctet! with very severe ; a‘ i should, where heavy fro-t s < •ur taken up and plac'd in winter <pi;ir ■ i - and replanted in the sprin • t his how ever, is not necessary w I • only sir. it frosts occur. LAYING AND FORMATION OI EDGINGS. It is necessary to properly prepare the ground and define the lev* I previous to laying an edging of »in d< - Option to the walks. The level -in first be obtained and marked 11 driOvgj in. short pegs at convc nient <i s apart. If such pegs arc place d .hl any a lino tightly stiained i«. i.» h their tops the necessity of adding. r removing soil in any part along th* lunj can at once be seen. Firmly n i! soil where the edgings is to b«- pl.i;n- <l, and also well rake and beat <!<•■•. i v. : It the back of the spade. The v. rk n ; q l>e done when the soil is in li: <ondition; that is, not too wet to adh*u the spade or to the iect in treading »i<»r too dry, otherwise it wil l crumhl*- d< i and be difficult to cut out t bi< k against which to lay the cuttings or plants. It is impossible to cut *.at plants or fix an edging properk if ground is not carefully prepared ; - iously. Now is a. good Lime to phui • < for edgings. The cuttings ehoubl i* from four to five inches long, an i insorted about three inches deep and < ii*j inch apart, and well filmed by tr. <; - In breaking up and dividing old p - i pieces with some roots attached n > obtained. In every instance the > }. leaved dwarf variety should be < .Fined, being preferable to th*' str*»! growing tree box. Grass verges, v.hiii properly laid and nicely clipped ■ d trimmed, always present a refresh.nj appearance.

WINTER SPRAYING. As soon as the pruning is completed the whole of the trees should reoeiv a thorough dressing with the view <» cheeking or destroying any pests er dix eases that attack the various tree . I ■ r winter dressing, lime sulphur solution, Bordeaux mixture, red oil, and cau i solutions are each effective when properly applied. The caustic solut h, however, requires care in its appl .i--tion ; on account of its burning projn rties th© hands and face should be protected. lor scale and other ins*‘< i- r<x| oil ajiplied at reasonable interval.- * . ing the winter and early spring an effective remedy, while for ieaf-* :;rl, that attacks the peach and kmdr< d trees, as well as for other fungoid dLeases, lime sulphur solution or Bor-

deaux mixture applied during tin u ; - ted and in spring just before the buds burst into flower, axe effective. But in addition to destroying insects and checking diseases spraying a-ssi.-ts in cleaning the wood of parisitical growths. In orchards where spraying has been neglected, especially if the tre»>s getting oki and received little or m» ultivation, moss is almost certain to tvrm on the branches, and form hiding pL...•* for insects and diseases. With .- . U trees it is astonishing the effect that can be produced by two or three thorough dressings during the winter v i 11 the lime sulphur solution, for not only will all moss be destroyed but the wholn of the bark will quickly assume 4 smooth, clean, healthy appearance. I * r woolly aphis a god winter wash is macki by dissolving lll>. caustic soda in I g.<l. lon of water. 1 hen add 3-4 lb. carb nate potash. Stir until all is dissolv'd. Last of al! dissolve LOoz. soft in 4 little boiling water and mix* Veil together. Add above t> 9 gallon.* « f water. Inis mixture can be used with- [ out the soft- soap, but adheres better i when inchided. As already stated. «•«<’* must be exercised in tho use of caustici 'solution on account of its burning properties. The hands should be covered.