GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 4 March 1920, Page 37

GARDENING NOTES

(By Mb. J.. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.) WORK FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH. The Kitchen Garden.—With the advent of autumn and cooler weather, the planting in large quantities of green vegetables such as brocoli, savoys, and kale should be proceeded with. All old leaves and heads of spent cabbages require to be cleared away, leaving, however, the stumps, which will provide acceptable tender shoots later on when green vegetables are scarce. Encourage the growth of celery by an occasional watering, and when sufficiently advanced for moulding this should be attended to when the soil is dry. Care must be exercised during the moulding process to see that soil does not get into the heart of the plant; the best plan being to hold the plant in one hand and draw the soil around with the other, after which, with the spade, the earthing tip to the desired height may bo done. After a few additional weeks’ growth, the same process may be repeated until the stalks are sufficiently blanched. Leeks also require to be planted in trenches, and moulded up. Ripe onions now may bo harvested, pulling and leaving them on the ground until properly dried, and then stored away in a dry airy shed. Early seed potatoes should now be carefully selected and stored until wanted for planting; they should also be looked over now and again to see that they are properly conditioned. Keep the soil well stirred amongst growing crops to keep down weeds and allow the' passage of air, which is an essential for sturdy and rapid growth. The Flower Garden. the lawns carefully attended to by regular mowing, rolling, and watering, they should now be looking at their best. Pick off all spent flowers and thus prevent seeding; by so doing the blooming is prolonged. Put in geranium cuttings now, as they will strike freely and be well advanced by the winter; an occasional sprinkling of water and the placing of the boxes containing the cuttings in a sunny situation will be of considerable benefit to the plants. Stake and tie up dahlias and chrysanthemums, and gather all seeds required for next season’s operations. Sow any hardy seeds which will withstand the winter, and thus ensure an early display. Bulbs may now be planted in well-prepared soil; a sprinkling of bonedust will prove beneficial if the soil is lacking in the necessary richness. Bulbs which have been allowed to remain in the ground should have the soil forked over them, with a little fertiliser worked in at the same time. The Fruit Garden. — gathering and marketing or storing of fruit is the principal work just now in the fruit gardens; but where possible it is desirable to cultivate the ground and free it from weeds. All useless spray of pear and apple trees should be pruned away and destroyed.