GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 5 February 1920, Page 37

GARDENING NOTES

I (By Mb. J. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.) WORK FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. The Kitchen Garden.—- the dry weather experienced in parts of the Dominion has somewhat retarded gardening operations, so far as the sowing and planting out of vegetables are concerned, advantage should now be taken of the improved condition of the soil consequent on the recent copious rainfall, to put in sufficient for winter and spring supplies. Plant out, without delay, all varieties of the cabbage tribe, including cauliflower, brocoli, Brussels sprouts, Savoy, and- kale. During dry weather it is advisable to water the plot thoroughly, a day or so before pulling the plants, and if loosened with the fork they may be removed without injuring the young fibrous roots; a good watering after planting must not be neglected. Now is the time to make a good sowing of winter turnips —golden ball and white stone are two suitable kinds; they should not be sown too thickly, and if thinned out later will mature more satisfactorily. Prickly spinach and silver beet, if sown now, will make an agreeable change among vegetables for winter use. When the soil is dry always see that the drills are well watered before sowing seeds; as a result germination will be more rapid, and the plants will have a-sturdier growth. A good sowing of lettuce, to be planted out later in rows to form firm heads, should not be neglected. Peas may still bo sown as an experiment; it is doubtful, however, if any but the early varieties will mature before winter. Kidney beans may be sown, but a good supply of water will be necessary to keep them growing. All the pods should be picked off, as they form, otherwise, if left to run to seed, the plant will soon cease bearing. Constant watering will ensure a supply of young tender pods, which alone are suitable for the table. Well-cultivated, moist soil is an essential for successful vegetable growing, and this applies,' at. the present period of the year, to celery, pumpkin, marrow, and cucumber culture. Tomatoes which are making vigorous growth should have all lateral shoots cut away, so as to throw all the plant energy into the bearing branches. Some people cut away all the leaves; this is not necessary, it is better to leave some on to carry the growth of the plant. The Flower Garden. —Keep the lawns mowed and rolled, and allow the cut grass to remain, as it provides a mulch to keep the lawn green and in a growing state by acting as a manure to the roots of the grass. Dandelion and similar disfigurements should be removed from the lawn immediately they appear. Gardens require plentiful watering during the dry season, therefore keep the sprinkler frequently going; light sprinkling is worse than none at all, and unless sufficient is available it is better not to attempt watering. Stake and tie up chrysanthemums and dahlias and put in cuttings of junks, carnations, and such like herbaceous flowering plants. Now is the best time to plant geraniums, to enable the cuttings to establish themselves before the cold season sets in. Geranium cuttings, for successful cultivation, must be of wellripened wood, the soft succulent shoots invariably rot in the soil. Prune back, where needed, all shrubs which have done flowering, and trim the hedges while the soft growth renders the process of clipping easier. A little more trimming may be required in the late autumn when the growth is finished. The flowering season may bo prolonged by picking off all seed pods of plants. All hardy outdoor seeds may now be sown preparatory to next season's blooming. Rose stalks should now be budded ; it is best to do the work in damp weather or when the sun's heat is not too great. The Fruit Garden. —Attend to summer pruning, cutting away all superfluous growth so as to give plenty of light and air to the fruit. Spray plum and cherry trees with arsenate of lead or helibore powder to destroy the leech, which is such a pest just now. Spray also, to de-

stroy r the codlin ~ moth. Cut away and burn raspberry canes after the fruit is gathered to destroy the grub that may have been among them; also all young growth, leaving about half a dozen strong canes for next season's bearing. Plant out strawberries in well prepared ground, giving a good .watering after "planting.