GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 8 May 1919, Page 43

GARDENING NOTES

(By Mr. J. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.) i 'WORK FOR THE MONTH OF MAY. v The Kitchen Garden.—Dig and manure all the spare ground, and leave it as rough as possible so that the winter winds and rain may pulverise and sweeten the soil, preparatory to the spring sowing. Weed growth should be kept down, and thus save trouble later on. Rake up all fallen leaves and decaying vegetable matter, and carefully preserve same for manure purposes as this substance forms the best possible plant stimulent. Cabbage and winter greens may still be planted out; small quantities of white stone or golden ball turnip, and winter spinach may also be sown. On account of the dry season in parts and the failure of the summer cabbage crop owing to the ravages of the fly there may possibly be a scarcity of green vegetables ; it would be well, therefore, to cut away and destroy all useless heads and so assist a young growth from the remaining stumps. These will give a supply of appetising greens late in the winter months. As an alternative to the fore-going, if it is decided to allow . the existing vegetables to remain, and to apply the spray, a solution of Quassia Chips is the best treatment for eradicating the fly and other insect pests. A handful of chips to a bucket of water is the proper proportion. The mixture should be allowed to remain over-night and applied" afterwards with a syringe or spray. If a quantity is needed the chips may be boiled with soft, soap—one pound of chips is sufficient for ten gallons of water. Apply plenty of manure water to vegetables, especially at this time of the year, to stimulate growth before the winter, sets in. The Flower Garden.—With the' rapid approach of winter, all tender plants should be lifted from the beds, replanted in pots or boxes, and housed. This applies particularly to geraniums and such like varieties. All the old leaves should be stripped off and straggling shoots shortened, and the plants well watered at the time of potting. Continue the planting of all kinds of bulbs —narcissus, tulips, hyacinths, iris, sparixus, crocus, anemones, etc. All gardens would be the better of a good variety of these flowering plants for spring display. Sow in boxes, and also in the borders, a good selection or hardy out-door flowers to bloom early in the season, and before the spring sown ones are ready. Cut away the dead foliage from all plants left in the garden ; this should be done both in the interests of the plants and of neatness in the garden. Sweet peas may be sown in sheltered quarters. - Apply a sprinkling of slacked lime or soot to their haunts to destroy slugs and woodlice. Mowing and rolling the lawns is still necessary, the roller, especially if used during damp weather will improve both the soil and grass. Sow down new lawns, and topdress and sow bare patches on.existing lawns, where necessary. If lawns are showing poverty in condition give a sprinkling of one or other of the many fertilizers now procurable. The Fruit Garden. Pick and store away all ripe fruit. Many kinds of late apples and pears will remain a long while on trees,if allowed, but it is better to gather and store the fruit away before the frosts set in. All fruit, in any way damaged, should be at once used, up, and on no account' mixed with that intended to be stored. Fruit intended for keeping must be picked from the .tree; arid not allowed to drop to the ground.. Newly gathered fruit is very liable to sweat, and on that account should be so stored as to admit of a current of air passing through the store room. Begin to prune as opportunity offers, from now on. -i-T-oTH .-.'>••!>■-.-.. v.wo-rrfri