GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 8 February 1917, Page 43

GARDENING NOTES

(By Mr. J. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.) ■ : ■’ ■■■■ -■ • -

WORK IN THE GARDEN FOR FEBRUARY. The Kitchen Garden. —This is the month that supplies of various seeds and vegetable plants should be planted out in quantities, so as to give a supply . for winter" and early spring. But unfortunately the weather is quite unfit for that purpose at present, as the soil seems to be quite parched and unable to receive either plants or seed. But as soon as opportunity occurs a good square of cauliflowers and broccoli should be planted out. It would be wise before pulling the plants out of the . seed bed to give it a good soaking with water ; then the plants will , not suffer so much from the breaking of the tender fibrous roots at the time of pulling. It is a wise plan to heel in the plants in a row, placing them pretty thickly in the row and giving a thoroughly good watering at the time andmaking them quite firm with your foot before watering. Also see that the water penetrates to the roots, and if left there for about a fortnight, or until opportunity offers for planting out in their permanent quarters, they will transplant more readily, as they will have made a nice fibrous growth at the roots. If the work has to be done whilst the soil is dry the plants ought to get an occasional watering after being planted out. a good plot of savoys and cabbages should also be planted and treated in the same way as the cauliflower and broccoli. A sowing of turnips for autumn and winter use should also be sown. The White Stone or Golden Ball varieties are best for late sowing. They should be sown thinly, and not left to overcrowd one another in the bed. Also winter spinach should be sown for winter use. Silver beet makes a good substitute for spinach. It is very useful to have as it gives a constant supply. When sowing these garden seeds the lines shbuld be well watered before sowing the seed, and then covered over with the dry soil. The seed will have a better chance to germinate when it has a bed of nice moist soil to work on. A good sowing of lettuce for winter use should also be made. The variety named Iceberg is a nice crisp lettuce. It ought to be planted out when fit so that it forms good heads which it cannot do if left to grow too thick in the seed bed. It can be thinned out and the young plants may be used for salad, and the others left to grow on for a later supply. lam afraid there is not much use in sowing peas at this season as it is now pretty late. If sown now, however, the early varieties must be chosen, as they will come to maturity before the later kinds. Kidney beans may be sown, but must get a plentiful supply of water as they will do no good if left hanging on. Keep a good healthy growth. The celery trenches should get a thoroughly good drenching of water to keep up a healthy growth. Vegetable marrows, cucumbers, and pumpkins should have a plentiful supply of water; if not, red spider and green fly will take possession. The Flower Garden. —The lawn should be constantly mowed—at least once a week, —and it would serve the lawn by leaving the cut grass ; it helps to keep the ground cool by forming a mulch, and besides, it is giving back the grass in the form of manure for the lawn. The spray should be constantly attended to by shifting pretty_ often, for if left playing on the one spot too long it causes the ground to settle in hollows very often, especially if the lawn is a new one and the soil not thoroughly settled. The roller must also be kept going after each mowing, and if there are any poor patches a sprinkling of fertiliser or liquid manure ought to be given. To keep a lawn in good order requires constant attention, such as regular mowing, watering, weeding, and rolling. All weeds should

be carefully removed ?or | destroyed by ; weed extermina- j tors.. Chrysanthemums, dahlias, and all such plants should: have proper supports, and should be given an occasional dose of water. Cuttings of many plants may now be put in, such as pinks, carnations, and picotees, etc. Any shrubs which are done flowering and have' to be pruned back should be attended to. Also clip back garden hedges, such as ... holly, laurel, and privet. Hedges should be well cut back whilst the growth is young; it can then be done quicker and better. ' They ought to be trimmed at the end of autumn or the beginning of winter. Hedges look better by being clipped up to a point rather than the square top, but I suppose it is matter of taste: All the seed pods should be picked off the flowering plants, as soon as the flowers drop off. The flowering season is prolonged by so doing, as the energy of the plant is not directed , toward the ripening of seeds. On this account the plant > has a chance of forming more flowers. Hardy flower seeds may be sown to bloom next season. Roses and many other trees may be budded if required. It is best done on a damp day or in the cool of the evening. :; The amateur who would like to bud his own roses should learn from a professional man, as it is rather difficult to understand the process by reading the method of operation.