GARDENING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 84, 11 April 1946, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE GROUNDS (Contributed by the Wanganui Horticultural Society.) This is one of the busiest months of the whole year and much depends on the work done during it. Cover or take up any plants that are tender and liable to be destroyed by frosts. Where not already done take cuttings of pansies, violas, pentstemons and carnations for the sooner these are rooted the more surely they will withstand the winter. Bulbs of all kinds can still be planted where the ground is vacant. The beds should also be cleared of all spent summer bedding plants making room for such spring flowering plants as stocks, Iceland poppies, antirrhinums and pansies. Pay attention to the staking of chrysanthemums and other late flowering herbaceous plants. Seed of hardy annuals may also be sown during this month. Clean and lightly dig under tall growing evergreen trees and shrubs and then plant with cinerarms. Get around the violets and mulch them with a good rich compost. From now on pot plants do not need so much water, particularly on wet days and dull weather, under glass about three times a week and in the house twice a week. When potting cyclamen give them nlenty of drainage and do not press the soil in too firm; at this time of the year the surface should be kept open as much as possible. Cuttings of hydrangea can be planted now in half shade. Pelargoniums should be cut back and cuttings planted so as to keep supplies of young plants for the future, as sometimes the old plants die out during the winter months. KITCHEN GARDEN Prepare all vacant ground for future crops. During this month we should make a good planting of cabbage and cauliflower plants, such as Flower of Spring and Enfield Market which are the best and should be on sale shortly; planted in the warmest part of the garden they will be ready to cut in August. Lettuce can still be planted on a raised bed made up with about six inches of lawn clippings over which is placed a foot of good compost; this will form a hot bed and keep them growing when the days get colder. Onion seed must be planted now and will be ready at the beginning of September to plant for next season's crop. Get the seed in this month without fail.

A sowing of radishes can be made as also Endive, a good substitute for lettuce as a salad; the curled variety is the best to grow. Continue to plant any spare plots with lupin, oats or barley for digging in later. Pumpkins must be stored in a dry place with plenty of air. FRUIT DEPARTMENT Most kinds of apples and pears will be fit for gathering in the course of this month. The finest specimens should be laid out singly and others can be more thickly placed. Many kinds of apples become sweaty after gathering and this can be avoided if the fruit are not crowded for a time until this condition is over. Care must be taken not to bruise the fruit. Admit as much air as possible where the fruit is stored. Propogate gooseberries and currants by cuttings, taking care to pick off the buds from the base or lower part of the cutting. Allow a good 6 inches clear above the surface of buds after the cutting has been planted. Cut all the dead wood out of raspberries. Attend to the strawberry bed —dig between the rows and plant anv row beds while vou have the young plants.