OUT IN THE GARDEN

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 124, 20 May 1932, Page 7

OUT IN THE GARDEN

THE WEEK’S WORK AMONG THE FLOWERS Continue the planting of spring flowering bulbs. Now is a good time to plant Carnations; ask for named border kinds. Order any new Roses as soon as possible to be sure of getting the best plants. ~ Remember that every standard variety was once a novelty. Therefore, while not discarding any tried and true friend, become acquainted this season with some of the novelties.

Place garden walks in good condition. Any repairs to surface or drainage should be done as soon as possible. Hedges should be trimmed, except Macrocarpas and other conifers. Clean weeds and rubbish away from the base.

Renovate and topdress lawns. Prepare new lawns and sow seeds as soon as possible. Hand weed Anemones and Ranunculi. A light forking between the rows can be given. Weak oi- old, decrepit, or out-of-date Roses should be taken out and replaced by better sorts. Herbaceous plants that have finished flowering can be cut down. See that all herbaceous plants and perennials such as Paeonies, "that die right down are plainly labelled and the positions clearly marked. Sweet Peas must be watched Tie up the growths; do not allow them to lie on the soil and get slug-eaten. Stir the soil between the plants. Cuttings of many hardy shrubs and trees planted now will root quite readily. THE VEGETABLE PLOT Look over vegetables in store. Remove those showing signs of decay. Harvest Pumpkins and Melons. Store away from rats. Hand weed any seedling crops. Plant Cabbage and Cauliflower according to requirements. Work the ground on every favourable opportunity. Dig over to keep down weeds. Sow cover crops to provide humus. As soon as Asparagus tops begin to turn yellow cut them off and burn them on the bed. Rake off the Asparagus bed the top inch of the soil and with it any fallen or germinating seeds. Replace with manure or good clean soil. Asparagus should have a good dressing of manure or seaweed, or, failing that, bonedust and super in about equal parts mixed with four or five parts of good weed-free soil. Strawberries can be. planted. Keep the crowns at ground level and spread the ropts out fan-like. Thin out and keep seedling crops hand weeded. If standing crops are weedy, dig over between the rows, burying the weeds. Collect and bury all old Cabbage and Cauliflower leaves. Burn all the old stumps. Broad Beans can be sown. They are a good crop on heavy soils in cold districts.

Commence the pruning of fruit trees as soon as possible.

If planting bush fruits such as Gooseberries and Currants, do so as soon as possible. Early planting is essential to success.