GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 7 November 1918, Page 35

GARDENING NOTES

(By Mr. J. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.)

WORK FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER The Kitchen Garden.—-A plentiful supply of vegetables throughout the ensuing year depends, upon gardening operations this month. With the spring growth of vegetables there is always a corresponding growth oi weeds, and these latter must be kept down if the successful cultivation of the former is to be ensured, Thus the. dutch hoe should be kept vigorously plied whenever the weather and state of the soil permits. Keep planting out cauliflower and cabbage in quantities requisite lor succession. Plant out a few lettuce and at the same time sow a pinch of seed for later transplanting ; also radish, and mustard and cress for salads. Brussels sprouts and other early greens if sown now will be available when most vegetables are scarce, these require plenty of room and good rich soil for profitable cultivation. Sow a succession of peas and broad beans, also kidney beans; these latter, however, must be protected from frosts, and only a small sowing is recommended at this time. Late frosts frequently occur in November, and are destructive to kidney beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and to all vegetables of the marrow and pumpkin variety ; all these therefore require to be covered when frosts threaten. Sow a line or two of spinach. This is a very wholesome vegetable, but it is not wise to sow too much at a time as it soon runs to seed. Turnip seed may be sown, all the main crop of potatoes may be planted, and about mid-No-vember, the main crop of tomatoes provided they are well hardened off beforehand. Cucumbers, pumpkins, and marrows may bo planted out in a sheltered situation. When rhubarb is inclined to seed the seed stalks should be cut away as if allowed to grow they exhaust the plant. To grow nice rhubarb the clumps require to be kept covered with barrels to blanch the stalks and keep them tender. An occasional application of liquid manure during the summer months will be”found very beneficial. The Flower Garden.—Continue the planting out of all bedding plants, giving each a little water after planting. No matter how moist the soil may be watering gives the plant a fresh start and settles the fine soil, among the little tender roots. Plant out dahlias and gladiolas. Overgrown dahlias should be lifted; separated, and replanted and will bloom all the better for it. From one to three shoots are quite enough to leave to each clump, and at the time of planting a stake should be driven in to support the plant later on in the season. A little liquid manure should be applied to the plant during the growing period. Chrysanthemums should be attended to now by separating the clumps and planting afresh : they ought also to be staked. The decaying foliage of spring bulbs that have now finished flowering must not be cut away .but left to die down naturally ; if cut away while still green the bulb deteriorates. If any flowering shrubs should require cutting back, this may be done now. If cut back when finished flowering shrubs make a good growth and the shoots will flower next season. Keep the lawns regularly mowed and rolled and a smooth green surface throughout the season will result. The Fruit Garden.—Spraying for the destruction of the codlin moth should keep the fruit grower well occupied now. This operation is most effective if carried out in dry weather and when the trees are quite dry.