GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 1 April 1920, Page 39

GARDENING NOTES

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

WORK FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL. | The Kitchen Garden. Every advantage should be taken of the present weather and soil conditions to keep the growth of weeds in check ; this!!, is - work that cannot well be ■ done when the soil is wet and cloggy/ as it will become with( the apprpach of the rainy season. Dig manure into all vacant plots as opportunity offers, to enable the soil to fully benefit when the winter rains set in. Collect all garden refuse, dead leaves, etc., for the manure heap. Keep planting, ! if required, vegetables of the cabbage variety-kale, ' savoys, : etc. — supply the needs later on when garden products are scanty. As the cabbage fly is a great pest to this class of vegetable, syringing with a decoction of quassia chips will be found to be a good preventative. This is prepared by soaking overnight a handful of the chips in a gallon of water, and using next morning. If a considerable quantity is needed, the chips , may be boiled with soft soap; 11b of chips is sufficient for 10 gallons of water. . Quassia chips are supplied by seedsmen. U--The Flower Garden.—Now is a good time to put in cuttings, of most bedding plants. Geraniums will strike freely if placed in sandy soil with a layer of sand on top, planted in a sunny situation, and given a. sprinkling of water for a start. Verbenas require sandy soil; plant the young wood and keep shaded from the sun. Heliotrope needs much the same treatment, and they must be protected from the sun. They should be planted in a greenhouse or frame and shaded ; a sheet of newspaper answers the latter purpose. With regard to fuschias, the young wood which has not flowered is the best to plant, following the same treatment as applied to the above-mentioned plants. All show and fancy pelargoniums should be cut back, and after a while repotted fairly firm, pressing the soil from around the sides of the pot. Riant all sorts of bulbs, and sow sweet peas to bloom early the next season. Lilies, especially the large white lily, which reouire to be lifted must be immediately replanted. Chrysanthemums' in pots require constant attention; liquid manure should be applied once a week to fertilise the exhausted soil. When showing flower, some of the buds should be thinned off to give the remaining ones a chance to expand. If attacked by mildew, dust with sulphur. Geraniums which need lifting out of the garden must be cut back, repotted, or stored in boxes for the winter. The Fruit Garden. —Picking and storing fruit will just now be the main occupation in the fruit garden. .All fruit intended for keeping requires to be carefully handpicked. When ripe, it will come off the branch easily, and the stem should come off attached to the fruit. Late fruit may, with advantage, be allowed to remain on the trees as long as possible. Store fruit in a cool, airy room, and carefully inspect to prevent any that may be decaying from damaging the stock. '