WORK IN THE GARDEN FOR THE MONTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 13, 28 September 1910, Page 35

WORK IN THE GARDEN FOR THE MONTH.

There is always plenty to do in a garden, but of all the months September is, perhaps, the very busiest. After the heavy rains of last month the soil is in urgent need of working. Sowing peas for suceessional crops will be one of the first things to demand attention. There are now such a multitude of varieties to choose from one is afraid of recommending special kinds. This to a large extent must be decided by requirements, and also bv facilities for staking; where stak-

ing or supports of some kind cannot be given, then it will be necessary to sow dwarf-growing sorts. The main crops of potatoes must be planted. The varieties to be used must be determined by the seed supply available in different districts; liberal manuring pays for this crop. Those early sorts coming through the ground should be sprayed. On no account should this be

neglected. Vermorite is a ven convenient form for small gardens. Cabbage cauliflower, onions, and lettuce- pLuit out as required. Those coming on must be kept free from weeds. Sowings of beet, carrots, parsnips, turips, spinach, etc., should be got in. Sow in rows, as by this method they are much easier weeded than if sown in beds. Those sown last month should Im* thinned out three to six inches apart, according to size of root when mature. A sowing of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and red pickling cabbag.' mav be made. A small packet of each will give several hundred plants. The seed should not be sown too thick, as this tends to have spindly plants. Kumeras may be started on a hot bed, just covering the tubers with sand. Celery and tomato plants should be singled out into boxes or pans. < ucumbers and melons under glass require careful handling. Pot oil’ singly, or three plants in a Gin pot. Give plenty air. and be careful in watering, as they are very liable to damp oil’. Sow more seed of these if required. In the flower garden, bedding plants should be got out as soon as sullicientl v haidene.l oil. Asters, stocks, earnations, and antirrhinums, in particular, always do best when got in their flowering quarters as early as practical. Any roses unpruned should be attended to without delay. Gladioli do well planted now. l'.\ei\ garden should possess some of these gorgeous flowering plants. bruit trees which have not been manured in the autumn should receive a top dressing of superphosphate and potash. Peaches ami nectarines neglected to be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture should be seen to at once. Apple trees may still bp grafted ( lear oil and burn all trimmings and primings from trees; attend to garden paths and keep clean and tidy. Pawns. when* grass has grown vigorously. will require mowing with a scythe, and later with lawn mower, and frequent rolling. b.very vacant piece of land intended for cropping should be dug or forked over roughly at the earliest opportunity. Tins will materially assist in getting the soil in good tilth when required for planting or sowing.